Book Appeal

Over the years I would say that I have read more poker books than most of the people out there. In fact there are certain poker books that I have read 20/30 times and that really takes some doing. But I revisited a fairly old classic recently and was amazed that I actually picked up several priceless pieces of information that improved my game. That book was "The Theory of Poker" by David Sklansky.

It has been absolutely ages since I last read that book, in fact I dont recall reading it for around five years and obviously my understanding and knowledge has progressed an awful lot in that time. Once you go back to certain books with an increased poker understanding then its almost as if you are not reading the same book and the true depth of the book only starts to reveal itself.

Sklanksy of course is perhaps the best known poker theoretician in the world and he has improved my game yet again all these years later. What did I get out of the book this time??  Well I aint telling because thats how good it is although it has to be said that few others could apply the concept within their own individual framework of operation anyway.

A few people have asked me if I will be purchasing the new Harrington cash game books. Well I may do but then again I probably wont. The thing is, I dont do an awful lot of poker reading now simply because I have developed a style of play that works very well and I have no need for them. I only read The Theory of Poker by accident as I was away for a few days and took some poker reading for the hotel otherwise I would suffer from withdrawel symptoms.

But I think that many people who buy books over and over again are already in possession of enough data for them to make the game pay. There is no golden book out there and probably never will be. What players need to focus on are the other vital areas that must be conquered in order to achieve success in poker. Game selection, psychology, seat selection etc etc.

Reading is a good thing but it can get to a stage where it is a case of diminishing returns.

The Dean is sponsored by Pokerheaven and can be seen at www.pokerheaven.com/thedean.html