Reading train - Improve your reading skills

Does reading books from pro players really enhance your game?

I bought a bunch of books but I haven't gotten around to reading them, I do love to read but I just can't read poker books!! I've been doing good but would my game be better if I read the books by Sklansky and Harrington?

Public Comments

1. Sure, may be it does, but I always prefer to rely on my game and dont read books. I prefer to be brave and attack instead of using some tactics.
2. read one and tell me how it is...there is no real "right" way to play poker. everyone has there own styles...what you should read though is a book on reading people (how to tell what a person may be thinking based upon there body movements) i think you may have asked a question like this, but i'm not sure if i got around to it. anyways, based upon what i know of you...you should try reading some of poker books and see if it can assist you when dealing with big hands. u don't necessarily need to buy any books, just go to a bookstore and read the sections of poker books that are relevant to the things that you need to improve upon
3. You can only go so far in your game by yourself. Unless you happen to be some kind of poker genius with a natural talent for the game. But even with natural talent it's going to take practice, study, discussion, contemplation and effort. Reading books on poker will teach you principles that you simply have not considered. Without these concepts your game will never reach its full potential. If your goal is to potter around with some online play money games, and play the occasional nickel and dime games with your friends, just carry on as you are. Otherwise, you do need to study if you want to take your game to the next level.
4. For tournament play, Harrington's book is excellent. There's no "best way" to play, you have to adapt your game to how others are playing but there are fundamental principles like pot odds, the gap concept etc. that you need to understand in order to take your game to the next level.
5. To an extent. I believe it is crucial to formulate your own personal strategy that fits you over time. However, if you're going to read a poker book, read the mechanical aspects of poker like, odds, implied odds, starting hands, position, etc. Johnny Chan never read a poker book, and look at what he's done. You learn to adapt into your own style, and reading a poker book will only hinder the chemistry you've already created between you and the way you think. I believe the best way to enhance your game is through your own experience. I have read Doyle Brunson's, "Super System" and while it helped me with the technical and mathematical aspects of the game, it did not help me strategically because I simply play a different style. PS: The most helpful information out of a poker book that I've recieved was lessons on bankroll management. I hope you find this helpful.
6. it may give you some tips but no you will still play the way you want too
7. yes, it will help you cut out some of your mistakes. knowledge is power. there is no easy system however other wise we would all do it and it wouldn't be a game.
8. ABSOLUTELY! You can never learn all of the nuances of poker completely on your own. You will never know or even be aware of any mistakes you may be making without outside observance or help. There is always more to learn and even the worst poker books will give you some kind of usable advice. If there wasn't endless strategy and information to be learned about the game there wouldn't be 150 books about it. The day you think you know everything there is to know about poker is the day you start losing. To the guy who just relies on his own game--please play at my table!
9. Of course, good books will help you with your game. But when you reach a certain level, the books won't matter anymore. Read the books, learn from them, experience several situations....After that close the books, and built your own skill based an your experience. There is no books that can teach experience. Each games, each sessions, each opponents are different. Poker is a game where you act "in the moment" winning poker is about taking good decisions. Even if the book tell you to act a certain way in a specific situation, that doesn't mean that is what you have to do every time. There is so many factor that can change your decisions. You won't find that in a book. Books will teach you basic poker, been a good tight aggressive poker player. After that you're an your own.
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11. it's good to know how the pros do it and to know other inside tips, but be sure to practice those ideas yourself to get the hang of 'em
12. you can definitely improve your game by reading books, but let me warn you that there is no substitute for experience...you have to play in order to truly take your game to the next level, and you need to play often and then review your session and the possible mistakes you may have made