Best Texas Holdem Books


The below list of books has been pre-screened by Play Great Poker and ranks these as the Best Poker Books for Texas Holdem. The list contains the best Texas Holdem books for both live poker and online poker. The primary goal of the list is to provide the site's visitors with a variety of poker strategy books, including Poker for Dummies, best cash game poker books, online poker books, satellite tournaments, the best advanced strategy poker books and the best poker strategy books for beginners. The list contains books for a variety of skill levels from Poker for Dummies to more experienced skilled poker players.


When it comes to tournament play, “ Harrington on Holdem ” – Volumes 1, 2, and 3, remain one of the best resources. With detailed explanations of important concepts and real-life poker problems, these books will help you take your tournament game to a whole new level. Small Stakes Poker Tournaments. This little gem is full of useful tips & tricks and grabs the first. Books Advanced Search New Releases Best Sellers & More Children's Books Textbooks Textbook Rentals Best Books of the Month 1-16 of 58 results for 'texas. Best Texas Holdem Books #1: Optimizing Ace King $34.99 + While Ace-King is one of the most profitable starting hands you can be dealt, most players struggle to maximize their earnings. The Theory of Poker: A Professional Poker Player Teaches You How to Think Like One (1987).

Featured Poker Book - Best Poker Book for Online Players


Play Great Poker ranks 'Fundamentals of Playing Online Texas Hold'em' as the Best Poker Book for those looking to start online for the first time or are new to online.
Fundamentals of Playing Online Texas Hold'em : By Mike Matteo
Fundamentals of Playing Online Texas Hold'em is a complete Guide from getting started to becoming a winning online player. This is the best poker book for those looking to start online for the first time or are new to online and need help with techniques and strategies, as well as any online poker player interested in enhancing their Poker knowledge. The book covers things like the history of online poker, differences between live and online, multi-tabling, to moving up the ranks, but the heart of the book is its Fundamental Building Blocks for strategy. The Fundamental Building Blocks are the core strategies that need to be mastered first when playing online. These Building Blocks are designed to enforce a base set of strategies that most if not all winning online players utilize as well as targeting the most common game situations. These Building Blocks include Poker Strategies such as Positional Awareness, Starting Hands, HUDs, Blind Play, Poker Math, CBetting, Profiling Players and Tilt. Read More about the Book our Poker Experts rated the Best Poker Book for Online Poker
Hear Author Mike Matteo Interviewed about the Book on the Carrot Corner Podcast
Mike Matteo was Interviewed about his book by fellow Poker Author Peter Clark, who is also known in the poker community as ‘Carroters’, on the Carrot Corner Podcast. Listen to the Poker Podcast

Featured Poker Book - Best Poker Book for Live Players


Annie Duke: Decide to Play Great Poker: A Strategy Guide to No-Limit Texas Hold'em
This Texas Hold’em poker book is by Annie Duke and John Vorhaus. Even though this book has a similar name to this website, they are not associated in any way. Decide to Play Great Poker is an Annie Duke Book that teaches you how to make the best decisions in a variety of game situations. This book is by many considered one of the best poker books on game theory and decision making in poker. You won’t find any hand charts in this book. Annie does not dictate a bunch of rules that do not work in every case because every game is different. In this poker book, Annie Duke teaches you to think and make the best decisions, as well as how to stay out of tough situations. This book is a combination of game theory and the math behind every play, whether it’s bet sizing, cbetting or bluffing. If you believe that consistently making the best decisions is the way to win at Texas Hold’em poker, then this poker book is the best poker book for you. There is also an Audio Book available, and it’s read by Annie Duke herself. Annie is very smooth in the audiobook and it’s easy to listen to. Read Full Review of the Annie Duke Book: Decide to Play Great Poker

Recommended - Best Poker Books


Top Recommended Book : Preflop Online Poker
Preflop Online Poker is one of the best Texas Hold’em poker books for those players playing online poker and looking to enhance their skill set. Sky Matsuhashi presents an easy-to-follow road map that will help you build necessary pre-flop skills, making online poker easier and more profitable. This is one of the best books for combining learning online strategies and methods on how to practice those skills. Read More about Preflop Online Poker


Molly's Game: From Hollywood’s Elite, to Wall Street’s Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker
Molly’s Game, written by Molly Bloom is a true story of the most exclusive high-stakes underground poker game. This very popular poker book is not an instructional book but is rated one of the best poker books because of the fascinating nature of the world’s most famous underground Poker Game. In this book, the readers see a behind the scenes story about how a beautiful Olympic-class skier who ran the highest stakes, most exclusive poker game Hollywood had ever seen which included celebrities, sports stars, business moguls, millionaires, and even the Russian mob. Hundreds of millions of dollars were won and lost at her tables. Molly’s game became the game for those in the know. The game went on for a decade until she was arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Watch a Video and Read More about Molly's Game


The Myth of Poker Talent: Why Anyone Can Be a Great Poker Player
The concept of this poker book is that you don’t need to be the smartest and most talented poker player in the world to win at Texas Hold’em poker. This book is by Alexander Fitzgerald, one of the top poker coaches in the world. Alex’s method focuses on understanding generic poker situations and not specific hands. As a highly experienced teacher, he expresses his ideas in simple, easy-to-understand language. This book is one of the best poker books for those who believe that you can become really good a poker through study and hard work. Read about one of the Best Poker Books on Amazon


Exploitative Play in Live Poker: How to Manipulate your Opponents into Making Mistakes
This Texas Hold’em poker book by Alexander Fitzgerald is targeted at live players. The book focuses on numerous situations where even very experienced players behave in predictable ways. These deeply-ingrained habits lead them to make mistakes. Alex is a highly successful player and one of the best poker coaches in the world. This may be the best poker book for you if you are a live player. Read about one of the Best Poker Books on Amazon


Strategies for Beating Small Stakes Poker Cash Games
Strategies for Beating Small Stakes Poker Cash Games is written by Jonathan Little. Jonathan Little is a professional poker player who has won over $6,000,000. This poker book is targeted at small stakes cash games. In this book, Jonathan went to the Borgata in Atlantic City and played small stakes cash games documenting techniques that worked at those stakes. The book shows how to alter the standard basic strategy, what Jonathan refers to as “getting out of line”, to adjust to different opponent types. This is one of the Best Poker Books for small stakes Cash Games. Read about Strategies for Beating Small Stakes Poker Cash Games on Amazon


Jonathan Little's Excelling at No-Limit Hold'em: Leading Poker Experts Discuss How to Study, Play and Master NLHE
Jonathan Little's Excelling at No-Limit Hold'em is written by Jonathan Little. Jonathan brings together 17 of the Greatest No Limit Texas Holdem Players to discuss a wide range of topics covering information for players of all type from beginner to advanced and the cash game as well as tournaments. These experts are some of the best poker players in the world. They include superstars such as Alexander Fitzgerald, Phil Hellmuth, Chris Moneymaker, Mike Sexton, and Jared Tendler. Jonathan’s primary reason behind this book is that, unlike professionals players, most armatures don’t have access to poker experts to talk poker. By assembling a wide variety of experts covering varying subjects it can bridge some of that divide. This is one of the best poker books for getting a wide range of information from numerous professional authors across a wide variety of No Limit Texas Holdem Poker topics. Read about one of the best poker books from numerous professional authors on Amazon


Best
Texas Hold'em For Dummies
Texas Hold'em For Dummies is written by Mark Harlan. This poker for dummies book is one in an extensive collection on the various topics of books named “For Dummies”, which is targeted to someone new to the subject. This Poker for Dummies book introduces the readers to the fundamental concepts and strategies of Texas Hold'em. It covers the rules for playing and betting, odds, etiquette, Hold'em lingo, and offers sound advice to avoid mistakes. This handy reference guide gives new and even seasoned players winning strategies and tactics not just for playing the game, but for winning. It’s a good first book for those new to the game. Even though it’s an older poker book, it may be one of the best poker books for someone brand new to Texas Hold’em. Read about Texas Holdem Poker for Dummies on Amazon


The Mental Game of Poker: Proven Strategies for Improving Tilt Control, Confidence, Motivation, Coping with Variance, and More
The Mental Game of Poker is written by Jared Tendler. We all suffer from tilt in poker, which is a term that is often used to describe the angry or frustrated emotional state of a player causing them to play bad or out of control. This poker book is one of the best, if not the best poker book for learning how to manage tilt, but goes beyond that covering many psychological aspects of the game like handling variance, confidence, and fear. This poker book, Jared lays out step by step instruction and techniques to handle different situations with strategies that will help each situation. This book is absolutely considered to be one of the best poker books for improving your mental game. Read about The Mental Game of Poker on Amazon


Fundamentals of Exploitative Online Poker: Learn to Exploit Your Opponents Through HUD Stats, Player Tendencies and Table Selection
This Texas Hold’em Online Poker Book by Alton Hardin is targeted at online players. The book focuses on utilizing HUDs with online poker. Alton covers the basic HUDs and how to best use them against certain opponent types. He covers the player types and how to select the best tables. This Poker Book is best for those looking to understand how to leverage HUDs with online Texas Holdem Poker. Read about one of the Best Poker Books on Amazon


Best books on poker strategy
The Grinder's Manual: A Complete Course in Online No Limit Holdem 6-Max Cash Games

Best Texas Hold'em Tournament Books

The Grinder's Manual is written by Peter Clarke. Peter Clarke, who is also known as Carroters, is one of the top poker coaches for No Limit Online Texas Holdem. He specializes in 6-Max online Poker. The Grinder's Manual: A Complete Course in Online No Limit Holdem 6-Max Cash Games is only available in the Kindle Format. This is a complete and detailed textbook similar to a college textbook and is targeted at 6-Max online poker. This poker book is 540 pages covering everything from opening ranges to game theory based post-flop balanced strategies. This is one of the best poker books for those already playing online and want to step up their game. Read about one of the Best Poker Books for 6-Max Cash Games on Amazon


100 Hands: 100 Detailed Solutions to 100 6-Max Cash Problems
100 Hands is written by Peter Clarke. Peter Clarke, who is also known as Carroters, is one of the top poker coaches for No Limit Online Texas Holdem. He specializes in 6-Max online Poker. This book is best read after reading Peter’s other book the Grinders Manual. Peter even suggests reading the Grinders Manual prior to reading this book. Peter selects 100 problem hands to review. Out of the 100 hands, 50 of the hands were played by Peter primarily at 2550 cents 6-Max Cash online and 50 hands were submitted by students from all different stakes. This book is best used by reading the hand, trying to analyze it yourself, and then flipping to the next page to read Peter’s analysis. As Peter says, it's like having a poker coach looking over your shoulder. This 416-page book is available on Kindle only. Read about one of the Best Poker Books for 6-Max Cash Games on Amazon


How To Study Poker: Volume 1: Techniques For Making You A Better Player Today Than You Were Yesterday
This poker book is written by Sky Matsuhashi, the creator and owner of the 'Smart Poker Study Podcast.' This book is targeted at helping poker study and improve one skill at a time. This book is one of the best poker books for the player that focuses on many skills but never masters any of them. This book teaches a system of poker study that will help you master one skill at a time while keeping you away from poker concept overload. If you are looking for a poker book that helps with studying poker, then this is one of the best poker books for you. Read about one of the Best Poker Books for Studying on Amazon


How to Study Poker Volume 2: A Proven Playbook For Increasing Your Poker Skills Through Dedicated Daily Study
This poker book is written by Sky Matsuhashi, the creator and owner of the 'Smart Poker Study Podcast.' This book is a follow up of the 'How to Study Poker: Volume 1'. Sky builds upon the study techniques he taught in that book and shows you how to put them to use through 28 days of poker study that he actually completed. You’ll see all the content he studied, his hand reading practices, his database reviews and filters, many poker equity calculations and all the lessons he learned through this process. This poker book is best used in combination with Sky’s How to Study Poker Volume 1. Read about one of the Best Poker Books for Studying on Amazon


Poker Satellite Strategy: How to qualify for the main events of high stakes live and online poker tournaments
This poker book is written by Dara O’Kearney and Barry Carter. In this book, professional poker player Dara O’Kearney gives you a framework for how to approach every stage of a satellite tournament, from the early levels right up to the bubble. This book takes the stress and uncertainty out of satellites. This surely is one of the best poker books targeted at a satellite tournament. Read about One of the Best Poker Books for Poker Satellite Strategy on Amazon


The Theory of Poker
This poker book is written by David Sklansky. This is an older poker book, but a classic and is still one of the best poker books. It outlined strategies and theories that had never been put to paper before. A must-read for any poker player who wants to be a well-rounded player. The theories and concepts are applicable to nearly every variation of the game, including five-card draw (high), seven-card stud, hold 'em, lowball draw, and razz (seven-card lowball stud). The book contains chapters on bluffing, raising, the slow-play, the value of position, psychology, heads-up play, game theory, implied odds, the free card, and semi-bluffing. Read about The Theory of Poker on Amazon


The Mathematics of Poker
The Mathematics of Poker was written by Bill Chen and Jerrod Ankenman. The intent of this poker book is to provide techniques where mathematics is applicable to game theory. Beware that some players new to the game and with not much of a math background will have a difficult time understanding the text. It does dive into poker concepts such as value betting, range balancing, and optimal strategy. Even with being a difficult read, it’s one of the best books written on poker mathematics. Read about The Mathematics of Poker on Amazon

There is a wealth of instructional material for beginning poker players available all over the internet, but there are some amazing poker strategy books for beginners that all aspiring poker players should study.

Sure, poker training has become its own industry, with a plethora of professionals teaching players how to win on video. Plus, there are any number of poker forums with in-depth discussions on just about every situation you’ll face at a poker table.

For anyone new to the game of poker, the opportunities to learn and get better are almost endless.

But with a few thousand poker strategy books to be read, beginners should be use books as the foundation to any poker syllabus. That said, it can be almost impossible for beginners to decide where they should begin, so we’ve put together our very own list of the Top Five Poker Strategy Books For Beginners.

Best Poker Book To Read

Poker For Dummies, Richard D. Harroch and Lou Krieger (2000)

A lack of understanding of the basic concepts of poker doesn’t necessarily make you a dummy. But since the “For Dummies” book series has taught people everything from how to fix their car to how to program a computer, it is as good a place as any to start with poker.

This book is ground zero for poker beginners as it covers all the basics and even some winning concepts along the way. It’s perfect for our list of top poker strategy books for beginners.

The poker book is written by lawyer and poker player Richard Harroch and veteran poker author Lou Krieger. Plus, it includes anecdotes from professional players like T.J. Cloutier and the late legendary Stu Unger. The book was originally published in 2000, but later editions now include a forward by 2003 World Series of Poker Champion Chris Moneymaker as well.

It goes into everything from setting up a game at home to the do’s and don’ts of playing poker in casinos. Plus, Poker For Dummies will give you a good grasp of poker jargon, and all the poker rules and etiquette the game employs.

The book doesn’t include a lot of the advanced modern game theory practices employed by young professionals today. It may be a bit cliché, but Poker For Dummies is exactly that and a great place to start if your knowledge of the game is in its infancy.

Doyle Brunson’s Super System: A Course In Power Poker, Doyle Brunson and Others (1979)

Doyle Brunson’s Super System is the original poker strategy bible. The book was written by some of the greatest minds in the game. Brunson was joined by late Cash Game Legend Chip Reese, World Champion and Casino Executive Bobby Baldwin, and respected Poker Theorist and Author Dave Sklansky.

While there is a Super System 2 and several later editions, the original was published in 1979, making some of it dated. The concepts, though are pure, most are still relevant. If you believe in the old adage that you have to know where you’ve been to figure out where you’re going, it’s a perfect book for beginners.

Super System contains tips on Texas hold’em, Omaha and stud. The book dives into tournament poker and cash game strategy, and by and large covers all the poker bases.

These are legends giving you access to the moves that make up their own personal playbooks and a great foundation on which to build a poker education. Considering how much the game has changed over the past 20 years, anyone wanting to learn more about poker strategy isn’t going to end with Doyle Brunson’s Super System, but it is a great place to start.

Harrington on Hold’em, Dan Harrington (2006)

This book from 1995 World Champion Dan Harrington has now seen three volumes published. The book remains the best-selling poker strategy book in the history of the game.

Harrington focuses on Texas hold’em tournaments, the most popular type of poker. Even ten years later, Harrington’s concepts regarding all the different stages of a tournament remain viable.

Best Poker Book Ever

These days, beginners might want to go beyond what Harrington teaches, but they won’t likely be successful in doing so without it.

The volumes also include quizzes where you can put your newfound knowledge to the test. This is a concept that reinforces the idea poker is a game that can be studied, with strategy that can be tested, not just played – One every beginner should grab hold of early on if they really want to succeed.

Best Texas Holdem Poker Books

Positively Fifth Street, James McManus (2003)

James McManus’ Positively Fifth Street is not, strictly speaking, a poker strategy book. It is instead an account of McManus own run in the 2000 World Series of Poker Main Event. The book also examines the murder of Horseshoe Hotel and Casino owner Ted Binion, and is as solid an introduction to the culture surrounding poker as a beginner is likely to find.

McManus was hired by Harper’s Magazine to write an article about women participating in the WSOP and cover the Ted Binion murder trial. Instead, he blew his advance money on a WSOP Main Event satellite, ended up finishing fifth in poker’s World Championship, and came out of all of it with Positively Fifth Street.

Sure, there are some strategy concepts in the text, including advice McManus weaned by reading books by poker greats. There’s even a bit of a blow-by-blow account of his deep run in the tournament that beginners can certainly learn from.

However, Positively Fifth Street stands more as a great introduction to poker culture than poker strategy. Either way, it’s perfect for a beginner immersing themselves in the game.

Mastering Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em: Strategies to Consistently Beat Small Stakes Tournaments and Cash Games, Jonathan Little (2017)

Over the past few years, WPT Season VI Player of the Year Jonathan Little has put out several books. Little’s books cover both advanced and beginner concepts in tournament and cash game poker.

However, 2017’s Mastering Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em: Strategies to Consistently Beat Small Stakes Tournaments and Cash Gamesis perfect for our list of top poker strategy books for beginners. After all, unless you’re a billionaire hedge fund manager you’re likely starting out at small stakes.

Little presents an easy to follow plan for how players can exploit small stakes poker. While it’s great advice for beginners, it’s even something he claims advanced players can learn.

It’s all about a solid, competent, and moderately aggressive approach to the game that beginners will easily benefit from. Tthe book provides a basic strategy for crushing small stakes poker games. The book also identifies the adjustments needed for tougher opposition. This poker book is absolutely perfect for anyone just starting out.

Are you ready to take the challenge and start playing poker? Be sure to check out our list of legal poker sites in New Jersey and Nevada.