So is super system the best book?

[Alexz0r]

Or is there a better one?

[yeltzen]

Well, that's quite a broad question. You have to first determine what your goal is by reading a poker book. Super System discusses Texas Hold 'em (and other poker games) in terms of a very specific strategy that Doyle uses. Hold 'em for Advanced Players by Sklansky and Malmuth talks about Hold 'em from a theoretical perspectice: what moves are mathematically correct, why certain moves make sense in certain positions; it does not discuss a specific playing style. If you want to understand the game of Texas Hold 'em at a level that trancends playing styles and psychology then you should read Hold 'em for Advanced Players. If you're looking for a very specific strategy to use at the table and don't mind the fact that this strategy could possibly never work for you because of your personality, then you should read Super System.

I have both books. I plan on reading Super System inside and out and fully understanding despite the fact that I do not plan on using any of it at the table. My personality does not work with Doyle's aggressive style, but I still want to understand the theory behind playing this way so I know how to combat against it. So Super System is basically a specific strategy that may or may not work. Hold 'em for Advanced Players is a theoretical approach to Hold 'em that is more like the laws of physics: the concepts in that book are mostly fact that you can't change, but by themselves they will not win you money.

[Bad_Company]

BS.

Super system has helped my game a ton. It has taught me how much agresion pays, and has helped me picke up tons and tons of pots I never even knew I could have.

I'd safley say it has earned me some money.

[ScanX]

I read SuperSystem and I found that playing the way he describes online isn't possible, people are too reckless and stealing a pot with an all-in on a draw is just too risky.

I'm reading "Pot-Limit and No-Limit Poker" by Reuben & Ciaffone but I'm still in the preliminary general chapters, haven't read the Holdem part of it (there are chapters for omaha, stud, lowball etc, like in SuperSystem)
I will post what I thought of it later.

I read Holdem for Advanced Players by Sklansky too, very good read even for NL because some techniques are still valid.

I dunno if u play NL or Fixed but if it's Fixed, definitely go for Sklansky.

[yeltzen]

BS.

Super system has helped my game a ton. It has taught me how much agresion pays, and has helped me picke up tons and tons of pots I never even knew I could have.

I'd safley say it has earned me some money.

I didn't say it can't earn you money, I'm just saying that some people will not feel comfortable playing this way. A guy I play with has started playing Doyle's style, and it has worked on a few nights. But the past two weeks he has run into people with good cards and got caught semi-bluffing way too much.

[Butch]

Good cards will always beat out skill. That's why a player with great cards makes it so far in the WSOP. Super System is a good beginner book. If you don't know how to play, or don't know strategy....then read SS. I have read the Hold 'Em parts like 4 times. Great material.

[snoogins47]

BS.

Super system has helped my game a ton. It has taught me how much agresion pays, and has helped me picke up tons and tons of pots I never even knew I could have.

I'd safley say it has earned me some money.

I didn't say it can't earn you money, I'm just saying that some people will not feel comfortable playing this way. A guy I play with has started playing Doyle's style, and it has worked on a few nights. But the past two weeks he has run into people with good cards and got caught semi-bluffing way too much.

Doyle's 'style' outlined in that book is moronic, if you're playing against loose, calling station types. Even he admits that.

Be careful not to attribute a few weeks worth of results with the "style" not working. Chances are, he's a lot more reckless than Doyle recommends, and chances are, he's in a game that seriously hampers the efficacy of bluffing: aka, people don't fold as much.

Read Sklansky.

[Jauron]

Doyle's strat gets missunderstood I think.

He wants to be the aggresive player, that doesn't mean he can't also be a little tight, but when he enters a pot, he wants to be the one raising, not the one calling. That doesn't mean he WON'T call you, but slow playing is not part of his normal play. I think some people think Doyle's system means you have to be reckless, and you don't, you just have to be aggressive and in the long run this is a winning strat.


He also flat out tells you you can't bluff someone that can't be bluffed.

Doyle's book is suited more toward playing "good" players. Poor players and complete fish are always going to be a problem if you use Doyle's system, and he says the same thing in his book.

It is also not geared toward tourney's, but NL cash games IMHO.

[krakajak]

I play limit, and I LOVE Cloutier's book. Maybe it's because he advises playing like a rock with teeth, which is pretty much what I aspire to be. If tight/aggressive (with the emphasis on tight) is what you want to be, this is the book to learn it from.

[greathuskie]

what i got from brunsons book was somewhat tight/very aggressive play

meaning hes somewhat tight on the cards he plays, but when he does play he bets a good amount

i remember him playing pretty much any pocket pair, any suited connectors, any 2 overcards, any basic hand like that

my style of play, i dont play suited connectors unless im chip leader or if i just feel like playing it once in awhile