Poker Book Review: Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You About Winning Hold'em Poker by Lou Krieger and Sheree Bykofsky

Have you seen all of the poker books at any large bookstore? Five years ago there were three. Now there are nearly 80. Can any new book really add anything to the voluminous poker literature that fills the shelves?

The answer is an enthusiastic YES!

Secrets The Pros Won't Tell You About Winning Holdem Poker is a welcome addition to the short list of truly excellent poker books available. Novices, intermediate, and advanced players will surely profit from the many nuggets of insight presented by Krieger and Bykofsky.

The authors presume a basic knowledge of the game of Texas Holdem. It is not a telling of poker stories, as so many books are these days. This is no glamorous look at the rich and famous of the poker world. Thank goodness for that. But Krieger and Bykofsky provide us with dozens of nuggets of useful and profound insights. The best part of the book is the beginning and longest chapter entitled "Basic Concepts and Play." In it the authors present and explore dozens of ideas such as: what makes a good poker game (for the player), how to get a read on your opponent's hand, where to sit to increase your profit, how to play against maniacs, weak players, or good players; how to use your image to your advantage, why and when you should bet on the River, how to read opponents' betting patterns, and the difference between value betting and bluffing.

Each of these concepts alone is worthy of an entire book. They are presented clearly and concisely -- sufficient for the typical reader to grasp their importance, understand them, and then apply them to his game. In that sense the presentation is masterful and efficient -- so much power in so little space.

The book is not without its flaws. Most significantly, the reader needs to be aware that although the book is presented as if it were covering both limit and no limit holdem, it chiefly addresses limit strategy. No limit and pot limit strategy are very different from limit. The authors clearly recognize this and point it out from time to time. But when there is no mention of the game being no limit, it's important that the reader -- especially the young or new-to-poker reader who has only played no limit -- recognize that Krieger and Bykofsky are talking about limit holdem strategy.

This is especially important in the sections that talk about bluffing, betting on the river, and raising. Although they are spot on when talking about how to play limit holdem, viewed through the lens of no limit poker, these sections would be inadequate for failing to address the different strategy that results when considering both the size of a bet and relative stack sizes. For example, the authors' excellent advice of generally calling on the River in a limit holdem game (because of the excellent pot odds that are generally being offered by the time of the final betting round) is definitely unsound advice if the game is no limit and your opponent makes a pot-sized bet at the end.

There are other small errors that do not detract from the fundamental soundness of the book. There is some redundancy between the chapters (implied odds are explained well in one section and not-so-well elsewhere). And although the two math tables are generally very helpful and clear, I did not understand the statement at the bottom of one table: "Two unmatched cards will make a split pair 2.2 percent of the time."

These small detractions not withstanding, the book is a powerful tool for any player looking to learn the basic concepts for winning play and for every player who wants an edge over his opponent.

The true test of the usefulness of a poker book is how it will add to the reader's bottom line. There's no question but that Secrets will help the beginning, intermediate, and advanced player make more money (and for the most careful reader, much more money) at the poker table.

Ashley Adams

Poker Book Review: Poker for Dummies by Richard Harroch and Lou Krieger

  If anyone could write a "bible" on poker non other than Krieger would be at the top top of the list, hence this excellent poker book from an experienced and thoughtful player and writer. A regular tournament and ring player, Krieger writes for Card Player magazine, penned several books, and has his own website.

This book is built like a college level study manual loaded with graphics that make the content easy to understand. Although titled a Bible, there is not much here for advanced players, but for beginners it is an excellent reference that should be referred to over and over.

Another great value to this book is that if you've only played hold'em (very common) this is your segway into stud, omaha and omaha8. All of these games are clevery discussed in stages and elements of each game. I particulalry found the omaha section alarming as to the types of starting hands you should be playing - who knew?

The Bilble is also loaded with odds charts, starting hands, table diagrams and a valueable section on playing your hands after the flop. Something I feel is commonly neglected by other authors. As well this book is really for ring play only - there isnt anything here for the novice tournament player, but this book will make a rookie a solid poker player with a broad knowledge of the main games.

by Marty Smith @ PokerStrategyArticles.com

Poker Book Review: Poker for Dummies by Richard Harroch and Lou Krieger "Poker for Dummies" is a reference primer that merits reading for the rube, but it's marred by embarrassing mistakes (their sample deal of Omaha/8 shows three cards of the same rank and suit), and some half-baked stratagems: would you play against someone who carried a game notepad, as they recommend? Still, "Dummies" deconstructs money management myths, gives good advice such as when and why to keep or dump, and explains why calling is often worth the investment.

Their take on bluffing was enlightening too, but watch it when playing your Wednesday night chums, a.k.a. people who don't know when they're beat. It's a decent entryway with some good nuggets, but I'll refine them elsewhere. I Tchyd, Los Angeles Unfortunately we've also given the world "How To" books. And their most recent obnoxious incarnations, the "Zen in the Art of---" and the "---For Dummies" series. However this one's not bad at all. I wish some of the reviewers who disliked it could name a better beginner's book--though I concede that if you play for money against some pros following the instructions given you might conclude you should have bought "Poker for Morons" instead. (Do not despair. The real morons are playing Baccarat following amazing systems that enable them to count to 9 )

If, after reading Lou, you decide to keep on and take the plunge might I also suggest Lee Jones 'Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em '--a book which gives strict advice on the most popular form of Poker nowdays and which cannot possibly work because everyone has read it and feels obliged to deviate from it because they know everyone else has read it too, consequently, it does work. (did you folow that?)

Also consider buying Slansky's 'The Theory of Poker' regarded as 'The Bible' especially if you're a math-geek who can already discourse on the difference between probability and odds. Otherwise just consider it but don't buy it. Carson's 'The Complete Book of Hold'em Poker' should also keep you busy for a few months, as well as anything written by Ciaffone, and by then you should be ready to enter the World Series of Poker. Well, soon enough, anyway.

Seriously, if you can break even after playing cardroom poker in your first year, you're doing great. (If you can get a bunch of rich dolts to come over to your place on Friday nights and play Anaconda or a sillier variation you're doing even better but don't count on it.) Lou's book is a good overview and he does list up to date internet groups which provide links to discussions and articles which will keep you addicted forever. Just remember that over the long run, it's all about skill, not hunches. Besides, it's bad luck to be superstitious. the wizard of uz

Poker Book Review: More Hold'em Excellence by Lou Krieger

This is a new expanded edition which goes beyond the basics; it takes you into the mind and decision-making processes of professional poker players by providing solid information and advice on a broad spectrum of sophisticated topics. Krieger covers the importance of proper decision-making; why patience and position are vital; the flop; early, middle, and late position; common mistakes; how to play in loose, aggressive games; tells and much more. Includes the Lou Krieger full color "Start Chart", showing which hands are playable in which situations. - Publisher

  In poker - as in so many other disciplines - there are great "players" and then there are great "teachers." Lou Krieger is both. Trust me. His appreciation for the intricacies of poker are obvious. He's one of the few writers who incorporates both good card sense and comprehensive situational analysis in his writing. Reading Lou's advice is like getting painting lessons from Rembrandt or being taught the violin by Stradivarius." - Nolan Dalla, Columnist Card Player Magazine

Poker Book Review: Internet Poker By Lou Krieger and Kathleen K Waterson

Internet Poker tells you Everything You Always Wanted To Know About (online) Poker And Were Afraid To Ask - and then some. The authors, Lou Krieger and Kathleen Keller Watterson, have put together a step-by-step Poker Bible that guides the novice who can barely tell a Flush from a Straight as well as the poker professional who thinks he already has all the answers (and then finds he doesn't) into the poker cyber world.

When all the basics have been covered, Internet Poker goes into the specifics of online poker. First-timers may be timid about taking the step from the brick and mortar casino to the cyber version. We don't know what to expect, how to get started, how to find the right sites, the right games, understand the jargon, observe the online ethics, how to handle the money aspect and much, much more that is online-specific.

Internet Poker addresses every question, every concern an online poker novice might have that might stop him from even trying in the first place. This book, extremely well researched, written in a highly accessible way - the authors don't talk at you, they talk to you! - should dispel any notions of doubt or bashfulness. After reading through the chapters we come away with the notion that the cyber world isn't going to eat us alive, isn't going to crash and burn when we make mistakes. It can be a very entertaining and, if you play your cards right (sorry, couldn't resist that) lucrative and convenient way to play poker. It's a new world for many of us, but this book guides us through potential pratfalls and removes the fear factor that accompanies the unknown.

Online poker is on the rise. It is not a fad. It's here to stay. So, we might as well get on with it and become part of the phenomenon. After all, who won the $ 2.5 million at the 2003 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas? Chris Moneymaker was an Internet player!

The accompanying CD - all part of the $ 14.95 price-tag - is a must-have for anybody serious about online poker. While the sample hands in the book are very helpful, the CD with the Wilson Software demos is priceless. You can download it in the privacy of your own home and follow the instructions. It gives you a first look at the real thing.
Let Krieger and Watterson take you by the virtual hand and help you make the online jump. Internet Poker makes it easy.

by Gabrielle Barth, NY

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