With many news sites and blogs doing the rounds, there is an endless variety of online poker content. That said, reading a real book is a completely different experience.
Today, I want to share a list of the 20 best poker books for texas hold ’em players.
You are reading: Best texas holdem books
doesn’t include some classics, like doyle brunson’s supersystem, just because it’s not exactly a waiting book.
I also left out a few other household names that are more of a general read and focused on the actual texas hold ’em books and the ones you could apply to this game.
20. sit ‘n go strategy – collin moshman
summary: a guide to winning single table tournaments
I decided to start this list with an epic book for single table tournaments. Since there aren’t that many resources for this specific game, I think it deserves a spot in the top 20.
When I first started playing poker, sit ‘n’ gos were my main game, and collin moshman’s book was my go-to resource for strategy related questions.
I learned a lot from reading it and I’m sure it can help you too if you play this format.
starts with a clear explanation of the basics of the game and covers equity, pot odds, expected chip value and more.
then, moshman conveniently divides strategy concepts into:
- low blind game
- medium blind game
- high blind game
In each of these sections, he explains how to play multiple hands based on the changing environment, how to adapt against different opponents, and when to adjust your aggressiveness.
In addition to that, it introduces specific topics like ICM strategy in the mid blind section and bubble approach in the end game segment, which is very helpful in building your overall game plan.
The book ends with a “sit ‘n’ go racing game” in which Moshman discusses various topics that are vital to long-term success.
compares this format to others and lists the pros and cons along with lots of practical advice on how to choose the best games, play multiple tables and build a successful career.
On top of that, you’ll get a lot of useful stuff like pot odds charts, preflop odds, poke tables for various stack depths, and other stats.
Overall, if you’re playing or want to play single table tournaments, this is a worthwhile poker book.
19. win poker tournaments one hand at a time – eric lynch
Summary: Expert Tips for Tournament Players
It’s not the best-known book on the list, but it’s worth mentioning.
Being a solid winner himself, eric lynch knows a thing or two about tournaments. As you might guess from the name, this book is all about tournament strategy and all the nuances that come with this format.
I like that the author shares detailed analysis from various places to help you understand even more advanced topics.
to mention a few:
- adjustments in deep-stack and short-stack situations
- differences in multiway and heads-up pots
- continuation betting strategies for various areas
- bluffing and bluff catching
With lots of real hand examples, this book will give you a solid understanding of tournament poker and plenty of practical advice you can take to the tables.
18. harrington on no limit tournament hold ’em expert strategy – dan harrington
Summary: How to adjust your tournament strategy
dan harrington is probably one of the most famous poker authors and has a number of books for both cash games and tournaments so we can’t exclude him from this list.
I’ve read all his books, and if I had to choose the one that stands out the most, it would be this one.
If you don’t know who he is, I have to mention that he has a world champion title for his win in the $10,000 buy-in wsop main event, and he even made consecutive final tables in 2003 and 2004. this that’s quite an achievement in itself, so I guess you have some good ideas to share.
As with other tournament books, Harrington begins by explaining vital information and the math of the game, and then moves on to discuss different styles of play.
this part will help you understand how to adjust your strategy against different players in mtts, a game changer for most.
then, instead of analyzing play at different stack depths, it breaks the book into separate sections for preflop, flop, turn, and river play.
On top of that, it breaks down numerous situations in the examples and helps you understand how you should approach tournaments in the first place.
With over 370 pages of valuable material, this is a must-read poker classic.
17. phil gordon’s little green book – phil gordon
Summary: poker psychology to help you think outside the box in games
phil gordon used to play in the biggest games with well-known poker players and came out on top. If that’s not enough, he’s also known for teaching players who were looking to get into those big games and helped them a lot.
after spending years playing and training, he decided to put everything he knows about texas hold ’em in the book.
It is more of a general style book without a concentration on a specific poker format. he covers math, strategy and the psychology of the game.
what I liked best about this book is that gordon shares his insights on the decision-making process and touches on various points, which helps you think outside the box a bit.
Understanding how he thinks will help you follow vital settings, learn to shift gears when you play, and know how to react no matter what comes your way.
Being an avid student of poker himself, Gordon emphasizes the importance of learning and progression, which is one of the most valuable skills you can master.
16. poker math that matters: owen wins
summary: a simple breakdown of complicated poker math
This is the first book on the list that concentrates precisely on the mathematical part of poker.
since this is a numbers game, there is no way you can become a winning player without understanding these concepts, and owen gaines does a good job of explaining it in a simple way.
covers absolutely everything you can think of on the subject.
From pot odds, implied odds, and equity calculations, gain moves on to explain expected value calculations and shares simple rules to make this whole learning process that much easier.
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also covers the math behind various plays, such as drawing sets, semi-bluffing, hero calls, and much more.
after reading this book you will have a much deeper understanding of poker and be able to make informed decisions based on math rather than just guessing at the tables.
I think this approach leads to bigger wins because you just can’t hide from the numbers in this game.
15. modern poker theory: building an unbeatable strategy based on gto principles – michael acevedo
summary: advanced poker math
Like the previous one, this book concentrates on the mathematical part of the game, but takes a much more advanced route.
Instead of covering random numbers, Michael Acevedo focuses on breaking down the optimal game (GTO) of game theory and explains how to implement this knowledge in real games.
gto helps you understand the underlying theory of texas hold ’em and ultimately make better decisions in the long run.
and since the author has a background in mathematics and even worked as a financial analyst, he really understands the mathematics behind the theoretically optimal game.
Being one of the newer books on the list, it gives you up-to-date information on not only the strategy part, but also covers available software that you can use to improve your game.
acevedo then discusses the preflop game theory behind tournaments and cash games and goes on to explain all the concepts vital to post-flop considerations such as bet sizing, range balancing, using proper bluffing and hand-to-value ratio, and much more.
He starts off by explaining simple truths behind poker and only then moves on to advanced strategies, so even if you don’t have a lot of experience you’ll get most of the information.
this book alone can help you develop a very solid understanding of texas hold ’em and become a much better player as a result.
14. elements of poker – Тommy angelo
summary: how to become a complete player
elements of poker is not a strategy book, but a guide on how to approach poker for long-term success. tommy angelo covers something that most poker books leave out, so it’s well worth a read.
To be successful in the long run, you need to know much more than just the strategy of the game.
You have to learn how to avoid throwing money and tilting, how to manage your money, how to find the best games, when to stop playing, how to control your emotions and more.
After reading this book, you will understand all the elements of live and online poker, as well as how to approach both tournaments and cash games. it will give you the solid foundation you need before mastering your strategy.
13. kill everyone – lee nelson
summary: poker tips, along with lots of hand illustrations and charts
although kill em all has a section for cash games, this is not the main purpose of this book. you can find better options for that. That said, it’s an excellent read for tournament players and should be considered a book for them.
something worth mentioning is the chapter on poker. includes tips on how to counter better players, which is very helpful to understand.
so the book begins by comparing “old school” strategies to those used in today’s games with tips on how to take advantage of this information. Nelson then takes a standard route to explain things by separately covering the early and late stages of the game and all the strategies that come with it.
In the new version of this book, you’ll find commentary from Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier in each chapter where he shares his thoughts and strategies, giving you valuable insight from the practitioner.
plus, simple things like hand-drawn illustrations and full-color graphics make this book very easy to follow, making it a worthwhile addition to this list.
12. playing the player – ed miller
summary: adapting to different playstyles
ed miller is a well known author and although he has written many books that concentrate on math and general strategy, this one takes a different route and covers how to adapt to different styles of play.
Most players understand the importance of adjusting their strategy, but very few can do it the right way, and Miller is working to change that.
He explains what optimal poker is, how to counter tight players by stealing more pots, what to do when facing aggressive and flexible opponents, and how to adapt to weaker ones.
These are the main topics of this book, but Miller goes further by breaking down how to play against each of these groups pre-flop, how to change your strategy post-flop to win even more, and how to exploit their mistakes.
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On top of that, it explains how to profile your opponents so you always know who you’re up against, and that can be a turning point in your poker career.
11. the myth of poker talent – alexander fitzgerald
summary: essential topics for players studying poker
I like this book because it shows the importance of working on your game and constantly improving.
fitzgerald highlights how to use the right poker software and breaks down hud stats that can help you learn and even make better decisions when playing.
Goes beyond the general, sharing math-based shove and re-push ranges, plus a breakdown of the most important parts of the game.
You will find topics like c-betting, check-raise, donk betting, triple barreling and many more.
explaining the theory behind these moves, he also shows you how to think for yourself so you can make good decisions in other situations too.
fitzgerald is a well known coach who has posted hundreds of videos, has coached many players and has impressive results making him a good teacher.
10. every hand revealed – gus hansen
Summary: Gus Hansen’s style of play and thought processes explained
This book helps you get inside the head of Gus Hansen and follows his journey to winning the Australian Millions Championship by revealing the hands he played in this tournament and breaking down his thought process.
hansen is known as one of the most aggressive players and is often even called a maniac, but when you see his explanation of aggressive lines, he might not seem so “crazy” after all.
His opponents could hardly deal with him when he was at the top of his game, so you can learn a thing or two from his approach.
this poker book offers you a unique format, where you can see how hansen progresses through 5 days of play and an analysis of the most interesting hands, giving you a clear understanding of the underlying principles of his game .
He also shares general tips on how to play in various situations, such as high stakes games, how to adapt when the tables fall short, how to apply pressure, and much more.
It’s definitely an interesting read and you’ll get some useful insights along the way.
9. strategies to win small stakes poker tournaments – jonathan little
summary: how to win low stakes games by understanding low stakes players
jonathan little has created a very useful resource for anyone who plays low stakes tournaments.
While this book may not help you crush the best players in the world, it will gain a great understanding of the underlying principles of lesser games and make adjustments as necessary.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing to random players who don’t seem to understand what they’re doing, you should read this book.
Instead of blaming bad luck, this book will help you understand how to adapt in these games and how to change your strategy against weaker opponents to win more often.
I like that little distinguishes various types of players and suggests how to play against each of them. It will give you a good understanding of how to counter aggressive or passive opponents and how to deal with nits or maniacs.
Making the right settings in small stakes tournaments will help you understand weaker players and beat them more often.
8. win low-limit hold’em – lee jones
Summary: Cash game strategy tips, with quizzes to keep you on your toes
Like the previous book on tournaments, this one also concentrates on low stakes games, but focuses on cash game strategy.
Instead of focusing on how to adapt to different players, Jones lays a solid foundation of strategy and shows how to read the board, understand pot odds, and other vital topics.
The author explains strategies based on your table position and shares how to play preflop in probably any situation you can think of. There is even a quiz at the end of this section to test his knowledge and make sure he learned everything.
for the post-flop section, jones talks about how to play various combinations of poker hands. If you’ve ever wondered what to do when you hit a pair on the flop, how to proceed with trips, draws, overcards or when you fail completely, you’ll find all the answers here.
Just like in the preflop section, there are more quizzes that make the reading experience much more enjoyable and even entertaining.
I think this book will give you a great understanding of the game and how to approach different points when you are just starting out with poker.
7. excelling at no-limit hold’em -jonathan little
summary: poker professionals discussing different approaches to situations
This could be one of the most interesting books you’ll ever read.
jonathan little brought together a group of professional players who sat down to discuss strategy for various texas hold ’em situations.
This means you’ll get to know how different players think about the same place and you’ll learn from household names like Phil Helmuth, Chris Moneymaker, Olivier Busquet and many more.
The good news is that they cover everything from starting in the low games, raising the stakes, analyzing the signals to playing specific tournament formats and more.
when explaining the basics of the game, they move on to much more advanced concepts and cover topics like range analysis, gto approach, short stack strategies, final table play, and more.
If that’s not enough, you can read about the importance of psychology in the game. Two of probably the best-known experts in the field, Elliot Roe and Jared Tendler, will help you see the big picture, understand the mental side of the game, and learn how to avoid tilts.
This book helps you see how different players approach the game, which is very beneficial for growing as a player.
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I enjoyed the format of this book and I think you will too when you read it.
6. exploitation game in live poker – alexander fitzgerald
Summary: How to manipulate other players in live games into making mistakes
this is the second alexander fitzgerald book on the list and the one i liked even more.
There aren’t that many books that focus on live poker, so if you’re playing at a local casino or often join a game at home with your friends, this is a must read for you.
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playing online and live can be very different, and if you are not able to adapt to different players, you will surely leave a lot of money on the table. this book will help you avoid it.
fitzgerald suggests the idea of forcing other players to make mistakes. You’ll learn how to manipulate your opponents into making the plays you want them to make and then exploit them with effective counter strategies.
Live gaming is all about exploiting others, so while understanding gto strategy is a great starting point, this book will help you think outside the box and learn how to put others in very uncomfortable situations. .
It will help you understand how various players think about the game, which will help you see poker in a new light.
5. reading poker says – zachary elwood
Summary: An easy-to-follow guide to understanding poker signals
This book focuses on explaining people’s behavior and helps you read other players at the table. I’ve read this book and watched Zachary Elwood’s training videos, so I can safely say the man knows what he’s talking about.
On top of that, he also explains it in a very simple and easy to understand way, which is always a big plus when talking about complex topics like this.
I like that elwood distinguishes poker signals for players expecting action and in scenarios where they bet or check themselves.
These are completely different situations that can often have contrary signals, so it is vital to distinguish these points.
It also groups the chapters by flags indicating weaknesses or strengths, which makes it really easy to follow.
After reading this book, you will understand common verbal and behavioral cues and see the general psychology of poker.
On top of that, you’ll learn how to trick your actions and manipulate your opponents or detect when they’re trying to do it to you, which will put a lot of cash in your pockets.
4. essential poker math – alton hardin
Summary: Poker Math Simplified: An Excellent Beginner’s Guide
Mathematics is an essential part of texas hold ’em strategy, and you won’t be able to stop learning the basics.
this is where alton hardin does a great job. explains the math of poker in a simple way, which could be a great advantage for new players.
You don’t need to do complex calculations when you play, but understanding the underlying principles of decision making will help you improve almost immediately.
In this poker book, you will learn poker odds and odds, equity and EV calculations, card mix, pot and implied odds, and the mathematical explanation of various plays.
hardin also takes all the theory and shows how it works in practice by analyzing the hands and breaking down all the concepts.
This part is very beneficial for new players because it helps you see how everything works in reality and that it is not as difficult as it might seem at first.
You’ll get all the texas hold ’em math you need to know in one place and can build a very solid foundation for your game.
3. the mental game of poker – jared tenderl
Summary: An Essential Guide to Managing the Emotional Side of Poker
many players underestimate the importance of psychology in poker and choose to ignore this topic, which costs a lot of money in the long run.
To be honest, I was one of those players when I started in poker and I lost a lot of money due to emotional biases and decisions. Fortunately, I found this book by Jared Tender at just the right time.
Learning to deal with those changes is vital, or you won’t be able to compete at a higher level.
tendler clearly explains this topic and gives you step-by-step advice on how to manage variance, permanently fix leaning issues, control your emotions, and avoid all the pitfalls you’ll almost certainly run into.
You may need to read this book a couple of times to properly understand and implement all of its advice. At least that’s what I did.
Even if you only take one or two things from this book, it will be worth it tenfold, no matter what games you’re playing.
2. the theory of poker – david sklansky
Summary: A must-read classic for any poker player
This book has stood the test of time and is known to be one of the best poker books ever written.
While it doesn’t cover cutting-edge strategies like gto poker, it does give you everything you need to know about approaching the game the right way.
If I tried to list everything in the book, it would take me a whole page just to list the topics.
You can be sure to find all the important information, like math for various situations, explanation of different plays, tips on hand reading, poker psychology, and even a general approach to the game.
It’s also worth mentioning that you can apply this knowledge not only to texas hold ’em but to other formats as well.
gives you everything in one place to learn the fundamental theory of poker, which will help you become a better player. essential reading.
1. no-limit hold em apps – matthew janda
Summary: An Essential Guide to Mastering Texas Hold ‘em Strategy
no limit hold’em apps is easily my favorite poker book and one that helped me learn the most.
if your goal is to master texas hold’em strategy, I doubt you’ll find a better option than this.
This book will help you develop a solid understanding of how to play your full ranges, not individual hands. without a doubt, it is the most important concept for serious poker players.
This may all sound complicated, and to be honest, it is.
however, janda does a great job of giving plenty of examples to illustrate his points, so even if you’re not an experienced grinder, you’ll be able to understand what he’s trying to teach.
covers many topics with extremely in-depth analysis, so you’ll not only be able to see the right moves, but also understand why they’re right. and that is much more important.
Things like overbetting or balancing your ranges for multiple bet sizes can be very complex to figure out on your own, but with the right guidance it’s much easier.
That said, you shouldn’t expect to skim through this book and go smash everyone at their games.
I think you will need to review some of the chapters, just because there is so much information that it is impossible to memorize everything at once and understand how to use it. If you want to get the most out of this book, you’ll have to do the work yourself.
the good news is that janda shares many useful tables with various examples of ranges and mathematical explanations.
Breaks down all the content in an easy to follow manner and starts by explaining a theoretically sound approach to preflop play and discusses various situations.
then the author moves on to the postflop strategy on different streets, dealing with different situations and sizing. I can’t even think of a situation that isn’t covered inside.
I end this book by explaining how to use all of this theory in practice by looking at real hand examples to settle things down.
I think this is the best book on texas hold’em poker, so if you don’t already have it, you’re missing out on valuable information.
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