ITH Poker Forum

[mchilger]

Middle Limit Hold'em (MLH) is an excellent resource to put yourself in the mind of another poker pro. Bob Ciaffone is one of my favorite poker authors and I credit him for really encouraging the use of hand examples in poker books (both MLH and Pot-Limit and No-Limit Hold'em) to help the reader apply the concepts he is learning. Since this publication in 2001, books like ITH, Small Stakes Hold'em, No-Limit Texas Hold'em for Beginners, and Harrington on Hold'em have followed suit by including lots of hand examples to demonstrate the concepts being taught.

MLH goes through some of the same concepts common in other poker books for starting hand, flop, turn, and river play but the meat and bones of this book is the analysis in over 500 hand examples. The book is specifically targeted for Middle Limit games. Back in 2002, this means that it is targeted for tight aggressive games with good players. You won't find many games like this today on the Internet. What does this mean to you? You can still learn from the reasoning but you must be aware that some adjustments might be required in your games. A raise by a strong player in a tough game is different than a raise by a weak player in a loose game. Keep this in mind while you are reading as you'll sometimes find yourself wanting to call while the book will advocate folding. I still believe a big leak for many players is calling raises too often but this book may take it to the other extreme.

The best way to learn Hold'em is to see how other pros are thinking during a hand. This book will give you that insight so that you can begin thinking about similar situations and apply them to the types of games you are playing.

You can purchase Middle Limit Hold'em by Bob Ciaffonein our store.

Matthew

[pwtjax]

This is a really good book. But after you read it the thought of another hand example will make you want to puke. It's almost nothing but hand examples. I'm not saying that's bad, just that it wears you out.

[jeffnc]

I think the hand examples are key. In fact, until this book came along, I don't think any poker book actually taught you how to play. This book, and Matthew's book, followed by Miller and Harrington, teach you how to actually play poker. Recommended, altough the strategy is a bit weak for most online game IMO (maybe a few too many folds that might only be appropriate in tight, tough games.)

[Piemaster]

I must admit, I disagreed with many of the hand examples given in this book, but this is probably to do with what Matthew says about the games being a lot tougher back then.

[Georgeair]

Pie - glad you posted this, as I've been meaning to question the relevance of this book here as well.

I've gotten most the way through this book and haven't quite figured out how to fit it in either. I agree that many of the folds suggested just don't make sense at most of the 5/10 tables I've played, but realized as reading it that it seems to be structured around having more reasonable opponents than you see at this level. However, from what I've seen and heard of $10-$20 and other limits, I'm not sure it all applies here either.

For my purposes, I've looked at it as an exercise in how to play hands where I'm involved with one or two opponents who seem to be very solid players. The challenge, as always, is to determine when that applies in the real world, when SSH does, or when (more frequently than not) I'm somewhere between these two realms.

[LuckyLiam]

I think this is a great book. One of the first I really studied - there are some great theory/concept sections in it, e. g. flop play.

It can lead you to play a little too tight but I think the above posts are somewhat harsh - in most cases cited in the book folding is the right course of action, as even poor players can normally beat your top pair/overpair when they are coming on strong; so I don't think too many examples are off the mark.

Buy it - you'll like it!

[runnawaybus]

Just started readin this book and its awesome. I have to actually READ the book tho to unerstand there concepts. So many hand EGS

[taz115]

With the quality of internet play increasing recently, have the examples in this book become more relevant? Is there anything in this book that you can’t get from ITH and HPAP?

Thanks for any input,

taz115

[cybrarian]

I don't know that it's impovement in quality you need to be mindful of if reading this book - the difference is more to do with a change of style and strategy.

[AlamedaMike]

Pie - glad you posted this, as I've been meaning to question the relevance of this book here as well.

...

In my efforts to re-read many of the books that I have - I have about 30 and my wife wants to burn them (long story) - I was wondering which of the many books would still be relevant today.

I play a mixture of live and online games. I think that most of the posters here play mostly online.

I met Matt at PokerSchool during a training session and I bought his book (which is autographed, BTW) and I have been on this forum for years even when I just played live low limit games - 3/6 and 6/12.

Anyway, I think the revevance of this book is that you have to have a good read on the villian if you are going to fold when you should. Studying this book I think will help you with your reads.

Here is a link to a limit hand that I played that I think I made a good read. Years ago I would not have had a clue.

http://www.internettexasholdem.com/phpb ... ml#6472528