Winning Low-Limit Hold'em [Paperback]

Lee Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2005

For the last ten years, Winning Low Limit Hold'em has been the reference standard introduction to Texas Hold'em. Experienced hold'em players give this book to their friends who want to learn the game. Recently updated and expanded to include coverage of online poker and no-limit hold'em single-table tournaments, this is the one book that you need to start your hold'em career. "I always thought poker was a game of luck. After reading Lee's book and applying the techniques recommended, it was as if I were in The Matrix. It all came clear to me. I simply saw the truth at the poker table." - Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari, Winner, 2004 L.A. Poker Classic and 2004 World Series of Poker $2000 Pot Limit Hold'em event. "I wish this book had been out when I started playing hold'em, because it is a great way to learn the game. If you want to put yourself on the path to becoming a top hold'em player, Lee's book is the place to start." - Greg Raymer, Champion, 2004 World Series of Poker.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Don't read this book! If everyone followed the instructions in this book I'd have to find a new line of work. P.S. If you see a long haired homeless guy sleeping on a park bench, please give him a dollar."

-- Chris Ferguson, Champion, 2000 World Series of Poker --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

With the surge of interest in poker, Lee Jones finally left the Silicon Valley computer world and joined the poker industry. At this writing, he is the poker room manager for PokerStars.com, a leading online poker site. His favorite part of that job is talking with and meeting PokerStars customers. His other interests include writing, scuba diving, trout fishing, and performing music. He has been trying to master the resophonic guitar (also known as the “Dobro”) for the past four years. He and his wife, Lisa, live in San Jose. At the time of publication, their older son David is a college senior and younger son John is a high school senior. Lisa teaches voice in their home, and all four of them play music and scuba dive together.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Conjelco; 3 edition (June 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886070237
• ISBN-13: 978-1886070233
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

296 of 303 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for beginners, a great refresher for veterans, November 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Winning Low-Limit Hold'em (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I agree with about everyone else that this book should be read in conjunction with Sklansky and Malmuth's "For Advanced Players", however, IT SHOULD BE READ(and read and read etc.)! I have read alot of highbrow criticism of this book from the glut of poker know-it-alls, some of it blatantly false, but I just simply disagree with it and I believe you will too if you read this book.

This is a book on solid, winning low limit hold'em , not middle or high-limit, and what it teaches is right on for the 4-8 game I play. I believe many Sklansky worshipers are offended that anyone would dare attempt a competing book on the subject of Texas Hold'em, but even Lee Jones says in this book that "Sklansky & Malmuth have written the definitive text on medium limit hold'em.", therefore, that is not what this book is about. Plus, if you find yourself reading Sklansky, but not quite understanding it, this book will provide a little light. It will help you understand more advanced books when you are ready for them.

It does not contain some of the more advanced poker strategy and theory because that does not work in typical loose/passive low-limit games, period. And if you try those advances strategies at this level, it may end up costing you and not your opponent. Naturally, as you would with any book, you will have to tweak certain recomendations and tactics to fit the specific game you are playing in, but if you don't have the flexibility to do that and find yourself playing like a robot, any book you read will be of little, if any, benefit to you.

One reviewer, "gbroulet", said the following, which should be seared into our brains: "When I played chess I collected a vast collection of chess books. After a couple of years I realized two things, 1. many of these books were saying the same things in different ways. And 2. My skill level would improve faster if I stuck to just one or 2 books and really studied them instead of reading many concepts from many different books." I did the exact same thing with chess books several years ago and came to the exact same conclusion. I actually got worse the more I studied because I was learning more and more theory and general principles, but no application. Poker is all about application, and so is this book. Do not buy every poker book out there and read them all half-heartedly, rather buy a few good ones and study them over and over and over, and apply what you learn. This should be one of those books.

This book is very basic, but that is what makes it unique compared to the many other books out there. No one is hurt by a thorough study, or re-study, of the basics. If you try to learn advanced poker theory without a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals, you will find yourself getting confused, or worse, you may get it flat wrong and that will cost you dearly. The information in this book will make you a better player whether you apply all his recommendations or not. I highly recommend it to any hold'em player, novice or not.

One caveat, I have read several reviews complaining that this book has hurt their internet poker playing. As we all know, low-limit internet poker with fake money is a fun, but often unrealistic version of poker. People will stay to the river with slim draws and hit them a surprising amount of times. I have hit them myself alot more in internet poker than in real poker. This book is not about low-limit fake money internet poker, so buy another book on that. That is truly is a different world.

I also recommend "Improve your Poker" by Bob Ciaffone.

146 of 150 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He called it "low-limit" because..., January 8, 2002

By 

John M. Thompson (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winning Low-Limit Hold'em (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

...most players can't stomach being called beginners, novices or newbies, and the bottom line is that it's true. Otherwise, it would probably pose much more difficulty for me to make money in my home games.

In reference to some of the idiocies posted below, a game played for relatively small betting increments could possibly have players of significant skill and ferocity, or cheaters who will use tricks to get your money. Jones points out that in moving past $10 big bets, you need a new set of skills. However, you should be able to know when you're making too many uncertain decisions, against players that you don't know you can beat. Selection of the right game is the first assessment any player should make, and it just happens that people are less likely to be skilled or cheaters at low levels because the stakes don't justify it.

I've read most of the significant works on poker in general, and Hold'Em in specific. Lee Jones basically writes the most accessible book on Hold'Em: he discusses starting standards, position, betting for value, and play of the straight and flush draw in Hold'Em. The worst that I can say (having read David Sklansky's first and second books on Hold'Em in addition to _The Theory of Poker_, plus Bobby Baldwin and Doyle Brunson's sections on Limit and No-Limit in _Super/System_) is that he doesn't necessarily show you all of the mathematics behind the principles, or give you helpful anecdotes to frame the lessons in your mind. If you like playing the game, you can buy those too.

The wisdom from each book on the game really doesn't change that much. Play fewer hands. Play bigger cards. Tighten up when you're the first to bet, and play draws from the blinds. Each one has a different way of communicating their insights to you, but Lee Jones does so in a conversational, easily remembered way - and the difference will show in your game.

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book that presents ideas well, July 30, 2003

By 

GB Guitars "gbroulet" (Colfax, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winning Low-Limit Hold'em (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

If you're ready to start playing Hold'em poker online or at the tables for real money then you need to read this FIRST. In fact, let me give you some free advice that I learned from playing tournament level chess.

When I played chess I collected a vast collection of chess books. After a couple of years I realized two things, 1. many of these books were saying the same things in different ways. And 2. My skill level would improve faster if I stuck to just one or 2 books and really studied them instead of reading many concepts from many different books.

So how does that relate to poker? This book and Hold 'Em Poker by David Sklansky are the 2 books you want to buy and then REALLY study. Sklansky's book is wonderfull but some concepts are presented in a general way which he then expects you to logically expand into a working poker strategy. Jones's book breaks that logic down into very simple lines of tactics.

Sklansy's book tells you that your position in relation to the dealer button is important and gives a few examples. Jones's book breaks this down into chapters like "Playing Before the Flop in the early position", "Playing Before the Flop in the middle position" and "Playing Before the Flop in the late position". He's not saying anything that Sklansky doesn't, he's just presenting it in easier to understand chunks.

Another thing I like about Jones's book is the discussion of starting hands. Sklansky gives a great table of starting hands and groups of hands. But rather than trying to memorize 65 hands broken down into 8 groups Jones simply tells you "Here are the 12 hands you should play in this position". As your position improves you can play hands that are less strong, and he shows you exactly which hands to add. He even has a great chapter on "trash hands" and how to avoid them.

So does it work? Well, I was doing well after reading Sklanskey's book, but my fluctuations were fairly large. I'd win big, but then I'd lose big. After reading Jones's book I had a clearer idea of what Sklasky was trying to teach. On my next few sessions of poker when the cards were going against me I probably only played 12 hands out of 250 hands or so. But I stayed even. When the cards were on my side I knew how to maximize my hand. My winnings fluctuated much less. In fact, I was either holding even or winning.

So study both books. Read them both cover to cover and then read them again. Memorize Jones's starting hands and then go back to the book to refresh your memory. When you feel you have the low limit games well understood then it's time to buy Sklansky and Malmuth's book "Advanced Hold'em Poker". But buy, study, and use what you learn in this book first!