The Illustrated Guide to Texas Hold'em

A friend of mine had me over to play texas hold 'em, which was my first time ever actually playing the game. I decided I needed to 'really' learn how to play the game. I read that Harrington's books were the best, but being a beginner, I could tell that that book might be too complicated for me, so I got the Illustrated Guide instead. I think it's a great book if you're only interested in learning the rules of the game, and how certain hands are played. I thought this book was an easy read, and the illustrations made it easer to read. I would read this book first, before trying to read one of the more advanced popular books out there.

My poker library consists of over thirty-five books, most dealing with tournament poker. I am a successful player, having won major tournaments--one on television. Thie Illustrated Guide is the book I always recommend for the beginning texas holdem player. I bought this recent copy for a young player struggling with the basics of the game. Few other texas holdem books provide such a clear, concise, tutorial-self testing format. Specific situations provide a launch pad for discussion of basic principles. There are better books for the advanced player, particularly the Dan Harrington books, but the Illistrated Guide is a great entry level resource.

The case by case quiz format with easy to read table diagrams make this book a great introduction to the game of limit Texas Hold’em.However, after you’ve read the book and played awhile, you’ll want to read Small Stakes Hold’em by Miller/Sklansky/Malmuth. Sklansky’s preflop hand rankings are the gold standard and Miller instructs how to count overcards, hidden outs and factor backdoor draws into your odds.On page 50-51 of Purdy, he advises to fold without considering THREE backdoor draws and an ace overcard. You should call the flop looking for a helpful turn card provided that your sitting at a typical loose-passive low limit table where you’re unlikely to be raised. Elsewhere he advises folding a 54 suited connector without considering whether or not the table is loose-passive.

The illustrations makes it very easy to follow the flow of the hand and the author gives smart advice for how to play it.

Very quick and easy read. Many exercises in this book making it fun to read. This book can be read again and again.

This is a great book if you are looking to begin playing low limit texas holdem cautiously. It has very little relevance to no limit ring or tournament play. Be warned that some of the "slow play" strategies the author recommends can allow other players to draw a winning hand against you, thus either forcing you to fold and forfeit the chips you bet in slowing playing to build a pot or to lose the hand on the river. Otherwise quite informative in the type of hands to play and in which position to play them.

This book is fun I reread it and enjoy figuring out the strategies

It was exactly what I needed. Very helpful. I would recommend this book to a Beginner like myself. It's a fun game.

Excellent poker book for the beginners to practice and learn the skill.Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV[10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.