Hey, poker playas!
There are so many poker books out there that teaches different theory. it does get confusing which book should you read and follow.
So which one should you read? which strategy should you use?
It would be easy to look at the books and the strategy behind them.
The super system – a book on fundamentals.
Super/System, one of the first books about poker strategy, was written and published in 1979 by Doyle Brunson, a professional poker player and multiple winners at the World Series of Poker.
How I Made Over $1,000,000 Playing Poker was primarily written by Doyle Brunson who, at the time of publication in 1979, had won the main event of the World Series of Poker in 1976 and 1977. The book was one of the first comprehensive books on strategies for various poker games. Many notable poker players and tournament champions contributed sections to the book.
The title of the book was originally How I Made Over $1,000,000 Playing Poker. The title is also sometimes written as Super System, without a slash; Doyle Brunson’s Super System; or Super/System: A Course in Power Poker.
What is it?
It was in the early days of poker that this book was published. Ironically. what is good about the book and what is bad about the book is the same thing. Its main focus is more on the basic fundamentals. Including other poker variants.
In a time where there were more recreational players than actual pros. He was actually better than the other players. for reference, the time Doyle Brunson won the main event. There were 22 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10K to enter the winner-take-all tournament. The 1976 Championship was the first WSOP Main Event to award the winner a gold bracelet along with the cash prize.
Should you read it?
Yes, think of it like the math subject in school. the super system is like algebra.
Having the right fundamentals is important. However, as more players join the scene. with some having the same fundamentals. It was time to grow.
The raiser’s edge. – when the standard goes higher.
Written by Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier
In the highly fluid and fast-changing tournament-poker universe, the dominant trend is toward looser and more aggressive (LAG) play, in which players move chips around at dizzying speeds. The Raiser’s Edge shows you how to adapt to the current state of all stages of tournament play, analyzing how and why the LAG and hyper-LAG styles work, and instructing on how to apply–and defend against–them.
What is it?
With more players with a deeper knowledge of the game coming in. Players were more aggressive compared to new players. the loose aggressive style(LAG) in playing poker.
Should you read it?
A lot of books on the LAG system. As the years go by. some would call it exploitive poker.
but basically, in a world where more and more people are more aggressive. Then in theory. the book it teaching you how to be more updated in today’s world.
Game theory optimal (GTO)
As time changes, so do theories. Game theory optimal (GTO) poker is an umbrella term players use to describe the holy grail of no-limit Holdem playing strategy, by which you become unexploitable to your opponents and improve your win rate.
What is funny is that to learn more about GTO you can watch the Masterclass by Daniel Negreanu
What is it?
GTO is basically another evolution. the more the world grows. the number of good players. it tells you basically how to exploit your opponent’s weakness while you are pushed to play a perfect game.
Should you read it?
Yes, you should read it as it also explains some fundamentals that have been missed in a world. The problem however with GTO is how it approaches the problem later on.
Which one should you read and use?
All books are actually writing on theoretical and fundamentals. That is why the Supersystem is a great book as it focused more on fundamentals.
When you speak about theories. In some ways, it would work, and in some ways, in some conditions it would fail.
the best strategy to use.
Which is the best strategy to use? how can you use it in a more realistic way?
The answer is very simple and complicated at the same time.
For example, most Filipinos that have knowledge of poker will go for LAG or exploitive system. But what is wrong with that system is really base on your hand and the board alone.
An example of that is how many times have you played against a player who would go all-in on the river and when they are met with a call would just suddenly muck their hand?
Exploitive poker is actually good if you really have no idea of your opponent on the table, especially in tournaments. The chance of winning is high.
But when your opponent is someone who understands what your doing is at your table. The LAG strategy could collapse. here is a real-life example. from our resident player.
There is a Filipino player called Amang, he is actually a good player. The way he bets and raises exploits the table. Like there are cards he would raise and easily take down pots after pots. In one tournament, He raises all-in on the hijack position. button folds and a small blind tank. and later shows a weak ace. I was in the big blind and called with 10-8 off. because I knew Amang range was huge and would raise with 9-6 high off Since his bet was a huge bet. I was confident my 10-8 was the better card. I called and he shows 9-8 off. both of us bricked. ironically the small blind with the weak ace would have won. Am I better than Amang? the answer is no. because Amang move was the right move that other player would have folded my hand. If he did not make such a move I would have lost the hand. GTO talks about exploring the weakness of players. If you could isolate the player and knowledge of their playstyle. then yes it can be exploited. but without knowing who is your opponent. Explotive poker has an edge.
Stay safe poker playas.
