The Intelligent Guide to Texas Hold'em Poker »

This book is a concise and meticulously researched guide to Texas Hold'em Poker, that teaches the rules, basic strategy, and how to play in a cardroom. More advanced players will benefit from statistical charts, vignettes from actual poker games, and detailed information on how the social and psychological aspects of the game determine strategy.

Readers also get a comprehensive analysis of online poker, including how to use your computer to play poker on the Internet, and concise profiles and addresses of 15 online cardrooms.

Carefully planned tables, charts, graphs, illustrations, and strategic summaries are provided to efficiently assist players in their real-time poker decisions. With the growth of online poker in recent years, it is possible for players to have charts and tables in front of them while they play. Charts that were designed with that use in mind include:

Probabilities for improving a hand, page 50

Minimum pot size for correct pot odds, page 52

Game observation form for online Hold'em, page 92

Odds for multiple pocket pairs, page 45

Overcard probabilities, page 49

Strategic grid, page 73

Some features unique to this book are:

A discussion of online poker that includes: how to set up to play online, the differences between online and in-person poker (Chapter 3), and where to go for online poker (Chapter 10).

A strategy section that explains how to adjust your play to different game conditions. Successful poker players use a dynamic approach, constantly fine-tuning their play to prevailing game conditions (Chapter 6).

Essays on the mathematical and psychological considerations necessary for success (Chapters 7-8). A series of stories are told that illustrate key concepts in action. These vignettes, mostly real-life examples, should aid the reader in putting into practice all the principles and information contained in the book.

Locations and contact information for 220 cardrooms in the U. S. and Canada (Chapter 10).

A quick explanation of common Hold'em variants such as Omaha and Pineapple, (Appendix I) and Poker Tournaments (Appendix II).