Worth Reading More Than Once Russell Fox, co-author of two previously well-respected poker books, Mastering No-Limit Hold'em and Why You Lose at Poker-both with Scott Harker-has now teamed with Nick Christenson for a book that could be this year's blockbuster. It's Winning Strategies for No-Limit Hold'em, focusing on some advanced concepts that few books have yet covered in depth.
The duo keys on concepts such as the importance of planning ahead in no-limit hold'em, including when and why to switch between an optimal and exploitive strategy, and how to comprehend the difference between "deepstacked and short-stacked play." In addition, the duo covers what they refer to as "the most comprehensive examination of no-limit betsizing ever to appear in print.
They have divided the book into three major sections. The fi rst part discusses playing styles and tactical notions that should be second- nature to the player. Part two offers an introduction to the concept of bet sizing and then focuses on that concept as applied on the river, on the turn, on the fl op, and pre-fl op. The fi nal part examines general opponents; small-ball tactics, and putting it all together.
At fi rst glance the book appears to be a beginner's primer but once the reader gets past the fi rst section- which should not be skipped even by the old pro-the advanced players and thinkers will realize how much meat is between the covers of this book. There are ideas on deception; a look at betting more (not less) in some circumstances and why; an examination of leverage vs. implied odds, and having the nuts in position when your opponent checks, along with having the nuts out of position.
To help cement these ideas the authors reference moves and strategies suggested by some of the best in the business, including Brunson, Sklansky, and Harrington. World class players like Gavin Smith, Bill Edler, and Erick Lindgren, all endorse the book.
This, then, is something that must be read slowly, absorbed, synthesized and applied gradually to improve your game. "Our aim in this book has been to demonstrate the way winning poker players approach the game. We fi rmly believe that winning poker players make money by folding, especially where our opponents may not," the authors emphasize in one summary section of the book. "Folding bad hands is part of a disciplined approach to the game of poker."
Overall, there's a ton of value here especially about knowing how to play intelligently and learning more about, limitations, gear shifting, and honing skills.
-Howard Schwartz
