Customer Reviews

Poker : Hold 'Em, Advanced

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book provides almost no usable advice on how to play Hold-em, what hands to raise, when to call, etc. Instead it is filled with the most numbingly obvious platitudes, such as "Backbone of Steel - The advanced player knows his knowledge of the game will win for him eventually"

I suppose that a book this short (only 71 pages) cannot contain much actual analysis, practice hands, or in-depth advice. But if you really want to learn how to play the game, pick up a copy of the book by Lee Jones

Again, this book seems to lack content, as did the previous two in this series. This book seems filled with irrelevant clipart more than actual advice. Also, the annoying editing mistakes again make numerous appearances in this book suggesting it was quite rushed. Most of the advice is completely common sense, and not what I would consider "advanced techniques". The book begins to go over some of the information that it needs to address, but doesn't get into near enough depth. In the three book series, Andy never really goes into bluffing, what specific odds are, what specific tells people might have, etc. If you want to get a good book, I would get the book by Ken Warren "the winner's guide to hold'em" which goes into much more depth, and is written much better.

Maybe I was expecting a bit too much from this book, given its apparent popularity, but I found it very short on useful information. As a former games specialist for the Tropicana in Las Vegas and avid poker player, I have read dozens of poker books, including everything by Two Plus Two Publishing (Sklansky and Malmuth). This book simply does not hold up when compared against "The Theory of Poker" or "Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players" (both by Sklansky). While these two books cost a bit more, they pack in orders of magnitude more material. It should also be noted that this is "an advanced book on *low limit* Texas Hold'em." (emphasis mine) For those looking to play higher limit games (5-10 and above) I would recommend going straight to Sklansky. If you want to play low limit Hold'em, pick up a copy of "Winning Low-Limit Hold'em" (2nd Edition) by Lee Jones. Lee's book is accessible to beginning players but has enough material that even experienced players will learn a lot.

Andy Nelson's books are always well-written, clear and informative. This book is no different. What makes this book special, though, is how it stimulates the reader to think about poker (even when not playing). The result is an immediate improvement in one's game. Furthermore, after you've read this book (and maybe re-read a couple of sections) your game will improve over the next several months because you'll be able to learn from your mistakes. Buy this book if you are a fairly good player who wants to be very good.

The book is not worth the $8.95 price tag. It is only 71 pages long and gives the reader very little to work with. The main theme is basically devoted to cutting down the "bad players" technique's and some general " no brainer" instructions. Like, if you think the other guy's drawing at a straight you can fold or hang in there and see if he does or does not hit it. I did not need to spend $8.95 to know that. Very little strategy is discussed. I would have enjoyed some war stories if Nelson has any. So in my opinion, you are better off keeping your money.

If you feel that reading this book makes you a more able poker player, here's a tip for you: Stay out of cardrooms! Here's a guy whose written a book of 71 pages. See how he uses 1/2 of those pages: "I can here you say, "What is an advanced player? that is a good question Andy. What are the boundaries of a beginner. In your opinion, what constitutes a good intermediate player? Give us a geography lesson here; Andy. What are the boundaries of beginner, the intermediate and the advanced player?" Ah yes. An advanced player. What is it. Who is it? Are you one? Is that guy in the middle of the table an advanced player? An intermediate player? What are the factors that make up a quality player? What does one need in order to call himself/herself an advanced player. Let me give you my considered opinion and balance it with what you think. "

End of quote.

I'm sure you're able to make an assessment over how much valuable information can be put into a book where the author uses such an amount of words on bs like this. Stay clear!

This book is excellent, well-written and brief. Its sections on emotional control and playing players are the best I've read. The chapter on playing players actually gives you a step by step process through which you can categorize players quite easily. Other books give a few tips on this cocnept; Nelson's book gives you an entire laundry list of things to look for. I would reccomend this book to anyone who is serious about improving his or her hold'em game.

I have made my living by playing Texas Hold 'em for over ten years. I have read every book I can find on any game of poker. This is the fourth book I have read that Mr. Nelson has written. I am impressed. The first book I read was POKER: 101 Ways To Win. That book convinced me that Mr. Nelson has a unique understanding of what poker is REALLY all about.

The Advanced book on Hold 'Em builds on the foundatation started in Book One and Intermediate. Now Mr. Nelson gets real specific about what it takes to become a winner at this very complicated game. He stresses emotional control, how to play the players and what the tools of the sophisticated player should be. These are extraordinary insights.

I have seen players with many years of playing poker that do not have a clue on how Texas Hold 'em should be played.

I have taught poker for going on 14 years. I have used the Hold 'Em books by Andy Nelson for almost 9 of those years. Why? Because they provide the clearest and reader friendly books on the market. They are great primers, clear and to the point and the students have told me that these are the most helpful books I have used for texts. More than one student has come back to tell me that he or she does a quick rewiew of the book before going to the game.
For the student who wants statistics, I refer them to Mike Caro's Poker Probe.
For the better students I refer them to Lee Jones's book and to Mr. Nelson's 101 WAYS TO WIN.

Andy Nelson's advanced poker book is a bargain at twice the price. Folksy and informative, it clearly explains advanced hold'em strategies that I used to be unaware of. Even more helpful when taken in conjunction with a few of his other titles, which I have also read. I've probably saved more than the books cost, in a just a session or two of live play. I like to play poker, and I like Nelson's books!