Although this is a great book, ultimately it will only help you if learn how to read players and not just words.Ī few years ago while sitting at home sick, I happened to turn on ESPN and saw a no-limit hold'em game. In other words relating to #2 on my list, semi bluffing as he teaches it is a much trickier art than it used to be. The game has changed alot since Doyle's day when most pro's considered pocket queens to be 'a small pair'. In uber Low Limit poker with unskilled fish abound it's extremely difficult to apply Doyle's concepts. Many of the concepts about aggression only apply if your opponenets are willing to fold certain hands. For his whole adult life he's played in the highest stakes games on Earth.
When he talks about being willing to 'take the worst hand sometimes' he doesn't mean that you should just start pushing all in any time you flop a gut shot draw. Doyle is famous for his uncanny reading ability. However, a few things should be noted by any reader not wanting to lose half their bankroll in the first hour after digesting the material. The classic chapter, Doyle's No Limit musings is also a must read for serious players. It's a great book particularly Chip Reese's section on stud. If you're a poker player and you haven't read this book then just remember, all the other players around you have.
