Books on Poker Cash Games

Poker is a game that many people play, but few excel in, as success requires a great deal of work, study, and a deep understanding of the concepts that govern winning play. While it is fairly easy to win at poker by playing tight and sticking to easy games, usually those prevalent at low limits, this strategy won’t allow you to do much better than minimum wage. However, a small number of players, the experts, have mastered the proper skills and have done their share of thinking, enabling them to achieve much greater success. This text contains essays written by the author from 1996 through early 2001, covering topics such as General Concepts, Technical Ideas, Strategic Ideas, In the Cardrooms, Hands to Talk About, The Ciaffone Quiz, and Two More Quizzes. Additionally, it offers advice on which game to play, controlling steaming, marginal hands, selecting the best game, bluffing, unusual strategies, raising with suited connectors, keeping poker honest, reading hands, checking aces, and much more. As with the first two books in this series, Poker Essays, Volume III is designed to make the reader do a great deal of thinking. While very few readers will agree with everything this text offers, the information provided should help most people become better poker players.

This comprehensive guide, written by a professional player, covers everything you need to know to succeed in today’s Texas hold’em games, from general concepts to advanced techniques. Learn about pot and implied odds, betting, bluffing, semi-bluffing, deception, and optimal play on the flop, turn, and river. Additionally, gain valuable insights on honing your ability to psych-out your competitors, as mastering this skill is just as crucial as the cards you hold. With this book, you’ll be well-equipped to beat cash games and win thousands of dollars.

The book offers a potential shortcut for experienced Texas Hold’em players with over 2,000 hours of combined poker experience at cash tables, tournaments, or online, to become professionals without spending years on costly trial and error learning. The book focuses on becoming a consistent cash winner by employing a unique method that emphasizes losing fewer hands and maximizing wins with specific styles. Pre-publication readers of the book expressed excitement and eagerness to apply the book’s suggestions at casinos.

Discover hard-hitting hold’em strategies for today’s limit cash games and tournaments, with killer advice on winning more money in rammin’-jammin’ games, kill-pot, jackpot, shorthanded, and other cash games. Learn tournament strategies for small buy-in, big buy-in, rebuy, incremental add-on, satellite, and big-field major tournaments. Players will master the thinking process for the pre-flop, flop, turn, and river, including play-by-play analyses. Get specific advice for dealing with rocks in tight games, weaklings in loose games, and experts in solid games. Understand how hand values change and when to fold, check, raise, reraise, check-raise, slowplay, and bluff.

This book is a must-have for the 95% of poker players sticking to low-limit games, offering them a chance to win big in the $1-$2, $2-$4, $4-$8, $6-$12 games commonly found in casinos, card rooms, and home poker games. Smith shares essential tips and strategies for winning at various poker games including hold’em (limit and no-limit), Omaha high-low, seven-card stud, as well as online and low-limit poker tournaments. The advice is straightforward, making it perfect for beginners and those new to the game. With poker’s increasing popularity, this book is the key to learning how to play and win.

The surge in popularity of Texas hold ’em has revolutionized the game’s dynamics. More individuals are now proficient at the game, and even the risk-taking players have become more assertive, making them tougher opponents. Consequently, a simple, patient strategy no longer assures substantial earnings in high-stakes games, particularly in short-handed games that are gaining popularity online. This text is the first to address the intricate challenges of playing high-stakes, short-handed limit hold ’em. However, even if you only participate in less competitive games, the key concepts discussed will still enhance your gameplay against skilled opponents. The book, Winning in Tough Hold ’em Games, provides an in-depth analysis of pre-flop play, including strategies like blind stealing, isolating a loose player, and blind defense. It also covers post-flop heads-up play and semi-bluffing. Moreover, it includes a discussion on the strategy involved in over 50 hands from high-stakes online games played by “Stoxtrader”.

The book aims to teach readers how to outplay the regular players populating today’s small stakes poker games. Through extensive HUD analysis, Modern Small Stakes breaks down each player at these limits in great detail, identifying their weaknesses and providing strategies to exploit them. However, the book also emphasizes the importance of becoming unexploitable oneself. While a robotic, unbalanced approach may work against clueless opponents at lower stakes, it is ineffective against skilled players. Therefore, throughout the book, efforts are made to demonstrate how to balance one’s range against thinking opponents, ensuring success in small stakes game

Eileen Sutton, a passionate poker enthusiast and contributor to Card Player magazine, presents “The Total Poker Manual,” an all-encompassing guide to the world of poker. This comprehensive manual covers everything from the fundamentals of popular variants like Texas Hold’em, Draw, and Stud, to advanced strategies for consistent success at the tables. Alongside in-depth strategic content, the book features captivating poker stories, insightful Master Class articles from renowned experts, and practical advice for playing in various settings, including online platforms, casinos, and home games. With contributions from esteemed players such as Vanessa Selbst, Linda Johnson, and Matt Matros.

An essential guide for card players of all levels, from beginners eager to learn the game from the ground up to experienced poker enthusiasts looking to unlock the secrets of legendary players. Written by a genuine poker champion, this comprehensive handbook offers crucial advice and information on reading opponents based on their card handling, understanding the rules and etiquette of the poker table, identifying and avoiding “maniacs” with a breakdown of poker terminology, and finding the best locations for aspiring poker players, including an introduction to online gambling. Presented in a clear and informative style, the book covers all the fundamental aspects of the main poker variations, helping readers learn everything they need to know to confidently join their first tournament or cash game, including betting strategies, card selection, poker etiquette, and the crucial role of position.

This book is ideal for novice and intermediate players eager to participate in cash games, local and million-dollar televised tournaments. It covers both limit and no-limit hold’em games, providing essential strategies for profitable play. The author, Cardoza, shares hands he’s played in championships and includes unique betting and playing charts.

This book achieves for hold’em what “Super System 2” by Doyle Brunson accomplished for poker. Daniel Negreanu compiles insights from the most outstanding young players, theorists, and world champions in hold’em, offering insider secrets and winning strategies for the most relevant poker game today – hold’em. The book spans ten comprehensive chapters, addressing every facet of the major hold’em formats – limit, no-limit, and pot-limit, across both cash games and tournaments, providing detailed exploration on all aspects of gameplay. This has become an instant classic, as poker players cannot afford to overlook the professional guidance provided by the game’s leading stars.

The book provides instructions on how to play all three types of stud poker. Linda Johnson, a commentator for the World Poker Tour, contributed to the highly praised chapter on razz and the comprehensive section on seven-card stud high-low split. Johnson was the razz champion at the 1997 World Series of Poker, the same year co-author Max Stern won the seven-card stud high-low championship. The book, co-authored by McEvoy, Stern, and Johnson, offers a collaborative approach to tournament play and cash game strategy for seven-card stud.

Are you constantly losing at small stakes poker cash games despite your best efforts? It’s time to enhance your skills and start winning big. If you’re stuck in low-quality games against poor opponents, Jonathan Little, a world-class poker champion, can guide you to mastery. With over $6.4 million in live poker tournament earnings, Little knows the importance of starting small – he began with a mere $50 bankroll. His innovative approach can help you master the necessary skills to win cash games. By learning to defeat small stakes opponents, you’ll be ready for larger buy-in cash games and bigger cash outs. Little’s book, Strategies for Beating Small Stakes Poker Cash Games, offers skills to improve your game, secrets to mastering poker, pitfalls to avoid, and insights into professional plays. As the author of 11 best-selling poker books, Little can help you win more money in the long run. His concise, actionable guide is a game-changer. Purchase the book today and start winning!

Johnny Chan, a regular victor against the world’s top players, demonstrates how to consistently earn money at limit hold’em, poker’s most favored game. Players are given a chance to understand the mindset of a champion as Johnny selects representative hands and explains his strategic thinking through betting and bluffing. No other book provides such comprehensive insight into the decision-making process of playing a hand, exploring different strategies that could have been employed, and the optimal approach to winning poker game after game.

Beat the Donks explores the world of low-stakes No-Limit Hold’em games in Las Vegas, focusing on players known as “Donks” who frequently make predictable errors. These players, characterized by their repeated mistakes and refusal to adjust their strategies, become easy targets for those who know how to exploit these flaws. The book outlines common errors made by Donks, such as excessive limping, playing too many hands, and poor bet sizing, among others. It also highlights telltale signs that can give them away. Rather than a basic guide to No Limit Hold’em, this publication assumes readers have a grasp of the game and its terminology, aiming instead to enhance their skills by identifying opportunities to take advantage of Donks’ repetitive mistakes.

A unique poker book that focuses on playing against the typical amateur and “calling station” players frequently found in low stakes games, rather than the high stakes professionals that most books are written by and for. The author recognizes that the advice given by high stakes pros often doesn’t apply to the majority of players who face unorthodox opponents chasing every hand to the river. This book aims to help intermediate players who already understand the basic rules and hand values of Texas Hold’em become consistent winners in small stakes cash games, both in casinos and online. It covers all aspects of poker, including math, tells, game theory, card selection, and more, while presenting proven techniques that have generated a 30% return on investment for the author over the past decade. With this book, players will never again become frustrated with unconventional opponents at the low stakes tables.

In Friday Night Poker or Penny Poker for Millions, Irv Roddy takes readers on a captivating journey through the world of low-stakes poker, where the emphasis is on fun, friendship, and the thrill of the game. This guide explores  the intricacies of casual poker, offering invaluable insights on rules, strategies, and etiquette that will help players of all levels enhance their skills and maximize their enjoyment at the table.

The field of poker theory is evolving into a more complex and mathematical domain, making it increasingly difficult for the average person to grasp. Philip Newall’s book, The Intelligent Poker Player, seeks to make sophisticated poker strategies more understandable to the general public by using clear language. It offers a comprehensive method that can be applied to various poker games, with a focus on limit and no-limit hold ’em. Notably, it’s the first to explore the burgeoning area of poker-playing robots, analyzing the advanced play of top-tier computers in heads-up limit hold ’em. Moreover, recognizing the uncertainties of a professional poker career, Newall includes guidance on minimizing risks through strategic financial and psychological management. This includes chapters on diverse topics from game strategy to financial planning, aiming to equip players with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of professional poker.

Being a successful live cash player requires more than just playing the hand correctly. It demands a range of other skills, which are taught by top-ranking professional poker player, Jonathan Little. Known as one of the game’s best instructors, Jonathan has a unique knack for simplifying complex poker concepts. His teachings include strategies such as when to adopt a loose/aggressive or tight/aggressive approach, when a passive strategy can yield the most profit, and how to identify subtle tells to accurately gauge player types. He also covers essential topics like bankroll management, game selection, and emotional control.

18 of the world’s top no-limit experts, including big names like Phil Hellmuth, Chris Moneymaker, Mike Sexton, and Jared Tendler explore every facet of the game in depth. Part 1 focuses on strategies such as mastering the basics, satellite play, lower-buy in events, reading tells, and advancing in stakes. Part 2 provides a comprehensive technical dissection of the game, covering range analysis, optimal game theory play, short stack strategies, value betting, and final table play. Part 3 addresses the psychological aspects of the game, including mental toughness and understanding tilt, which are as crucial as the technical skills. Excelling at No-Limit Hold’em is a comprehensive guide for anyone serious about improving their poker game.

The world’s top poker players share their expert advice on mastering various poker styles such as tournaments, cash games, no-limit, limit and pot-limit hold’em, Omaha (high-low and PLO), 7-card stud (razz, high-low), and triple draw in the book Superstars of Poker. The book features strategies and secrets from poker legends like Doyle Brunson, known as the greatest poker player and the Godfather of Poker, and Phil Helmuth, who holds the record for the most WSOP championships. Other contributors include Daniel Negreanu, a 6-time bracelet winner and author, Lyle Berman, founder of the World Poker Tour, Bobby Baldwin, Johnny Chan, Mike Caro, Jennifer Harman, Todd Brunson, and Crandell Addington.

The poker boom’s early years were driven by interest in no-limit hold ’em tournaments. However, players are now shifting towards a more complex form of hold ’em no-limit cash games. In “Harrington on Cash Games: Volume I,” Dan Harrington provides key insights into deep-stack cash game play. He teaches how to adjust your starting hands based on your stack size, understand the deceptive value of weaker hands as stack sizes grow, and use pot commitment to your advantage. Harrington, a World Poker Champion, and Bill Robertie, a two-time World Backgammon Champion, have written the definitive books on no-limit cash games, essential for anyone looking to succeed in this arena.

Once primarily played in casinos, No-Limit hold ’em has evolved into an online phenomenon. In his book, Harrington on Online Cash Games, Dan Harrington provides key insights and strategies to conquer the online poker world, which significantly differs from traditional casino games. He guides you on managing different stack sizes, playing at 6-max tables, dealing with increased aggression, and utilizing poker databases and heads-up displays for insights on opponent’s tendencies. Harrington also offers detailed strategies for preflop and post-flop play in both micro-stakes and challenging small-stakes games.

Mastering the mathematics of poker is now simpler than ever with Owen’s techniques and shortcuts. This book covers the mathematical aspects of decision-making in no-limit hold’em cash games. It includes over 100 quiz questions and answers to help you assess your understanding and hone your skills. The book is designed for those who may not have a strong affinity for math or game theory but are keen to enhance their poker abilities. Starting with basic concepts, the material gradually progresses to more complex aspects of the game. By the end of the book, you’ll be able to analyze even the most intricate decisions in no-limit hold’em. As a friend once said, winning is just way more fun.

This updated starter guide is ideal for beginners aiming to win at poker tournaments and cash games. It covers all popular poker games, online poker, 21 key poker concepts, 15 bluffing concepts, and using psychology and body language. Handy charts included.

This concise and accessible primer focuses on America’s hottest poker game, providing players with the fundamentals of playing and winning in both cash games and high-stakes no-limit tournaments held nationwide. The book is filled with tips, winning strategies, and expert advice for aspiring players looking to join the action and, with a bit of luck, potentially find themselves on TV clutching a million-dollar cash prize.

Texas Hold’em, a popular game on TV and major tournaments, has become the gold standard of poker. Players are now favoring a specific version – No Limit Hold’em, which allows unlimited betting, creating larger pots and more excitement. While the dynamics are similar to low-limit games, the strategy differs significantly. This book focuses on teaching the basics of Texas Hold’em, with an emphasis on no-limit strategy for cash games, online games, and no-limit tournaments.

Poker Workbook: 6max Online Cash Games is the exact studying tool you need to stay one step ahead of your opponents. This workbook, complete with 40 exercises from 50NL, guides you through the process of hand reading to explore situations you encounter regularly. Each exercise takes you action-by-action, helping you focus on the important aspects of each hand. By working through these exercises, you will understand your own ranges (and situations where you are too tight), your opponent’s ranges (and situations where you can bluff more), and even range vs. range spots, preparing you to tangle with solid regs in your next session. You will then be able to put your hand reading improvements to use, finding the right hero folds, spots to value bet thinner, and situations where you can correctly fire huge bluffs.

This book is designed for poker enthusiasts who are passionate about the game but are tired of losing more often than winning. It focuses on Texas Hold’em, the most widely played poker variant globally. Many players find themselves frequently playing in local casinos or with friends, yet they seldom win. This book aims to debunk the notions of “Bad Luck”, “Bad Draws”, or “Drawn-out on Again” and instead provides practical strategies to enhance your gaming skills for consistent victories. It primarily discusses “open table” play in a casino setting, with additional insights into tournament play and Omaha. It presumes a basic understanding of poker, Texas Hold’em, and “card odds”. It’s not a technical analysis of probabilities, but a practical guide to improving your winnings in various situations. The author, a seasoned poker player, shares his experiences and strategies from his time as a Poker Proposition Player in a popular Southern California casino. His survival in the game depends on his overall winnings, despite not winning every day. He shares how he evaluates his performance by averaging his wins and losses monthly. As per “Guitar Man”, this book offers a unique and powerful perspective, positioning the author as a “poker pro for the rest of us”.

Being a successful live cash player requires more than just playing the hand correctly. It demands a range of other skills, which are taught by top-ranking professional poker player, Jonathan Little. Known as one of the best instructors in the game, Jonathan has a unique knack for simplifying complex poker concepts. His teachings include strategies such as when to play loose/aggressive or tight/aggressive, when a passive approach can be most profitable, and how to identify subtle tells to accurately gauge player types. He also covers essential topics like bankroll management, game selection, and emotional control.