Books on Poker Hand Analysis

Gordon guides readers through hands he has encountered in various settings, including cash games, different stages of tournaments, Sit & Gos, satellites, supersatellites, and the World Series of Poker final table, revealing not only his plays but also the reasoning behind them. He shares insights into a pro’s thought process in every situation, whether it’s a timely bluff or a questionable call, and helps players calculate their own best moves in high-pressure situations. Through analyzing specific hands, Gordon also imparts valuable lessons in key poker skills such as calculating odds, shorthanded play, and discovering tells, while discussing memorable plays—both good and bad—and explaining how certain hands should have been played differently.

This book is the ideal guide for anyone looking to improve their poker game, whether you’re a home game enthusiast ready to step up your play or an intermediate player facing challenges. It goes beyond the basics that beginner poker books often focus on, covering crucial topics that are usually only briefly touched upon in advanced texts. These include reading hands and opponents, calculating odds and outs, adjusting your strategy based on the type of game, and much more. It also provides insights into practicing and playing poker online. Suitable for players of hold’em or stud, this book by is designed to put you on the path to winning.

The Powerful Profits series expands with Royer’s guide, offering insider tips on earning big from tournament poker. Royer, a seasoned tournament player with unmatched expertise in game analysis and theory, instructs both average and novice players on mastering the most played tournament poker games. Unlike other manuals that concentrate solely on game theory, Royer’s dual perspective as a theorist and experienced player provides this book with advantages that other guides lack.

Roy Cooke and John Bond continue their long-running CardPlayer Magazine column, which is the world’s longest-running poker feature. This book, their sixth, is a follow-up to Real Poker II: The Play of Hands and a companion to  How to Think Like a Poker Pro.  It compiles and updates their CardPlayer Magazine Play of Hand columns from 2000 to 2006, with each essay guiding readers through a professional’s thought process in playing a hand and analyzing every decision to maximize profits or minimize losses at the poker table.

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.

Pot-Limit Omaha is quickly gaining traction in the poker world, thanks to the ongoing poker boom. Despite its growing popularity, players have found it challenging to find comprehensive advice on mastering this intricate game. “Secrets of Pot-Limit Omaha” emerges as a pioneering guide, diving into the strategies of medium and high-stakes PLO with unprecedented clarity. This book unveils critical strategies previously unpublished. It covers a wide array of topics essential for PLO success, including a novel short-stack strategy, adjustments for playing with a larger stack, optimal bet sizing, strategic seating, the use of blockers, executing the bare ace bluff, and leveraging opponents’ weaknesses. Additionally, it provides valuable theoretical and practical insights through practice hands and hand match-up analyses. This book is indispensable for anyone aiming to excel in Pot-Limit Omaha.

The book addresses the significant changes in poker over the past few years, particularly the shift towards online play, which has led to the development of new winning strategies. The book provides the necessary tools and theory for navigating challenging mid-stakes short-handed games, especially those played online. It explores the latest techniques and strategies employed by many of today’s top players and explains the strategic approaches required for success. The text covers a wide range of topics, including three-betting, exploiting weak players, beating short-stackers, board texture, optimal bluffing frequencies, and an in-depth analysis of ranges, including range structure, polarized ranges, and range balance. Additionally, the book examines the concept of hand-reading by assigning perceived ranges to players and demonstrates ways to manipulate one’s image to influence opponents’ strategies. Analytical No Limit Hold’em also discusses the use of tracking programs and heads-up displays, and includes a chapter dedicated to computer security in the context of online poker.

Simplify your approach to learning poker and embark on a path to becoming a master with the guidance of Sky Matsuhashi. As a poker coach, author, and podcaster, Sky introduces a focused method of study in his sequel to the bestseller, How to Study Poker: Volume 1. This book outlines a 28-day plan of intensive poker study, showcasing the exact materials he used, from hand reading exercises to poker equity calculations, and shares the invaluable insights gained. Sky reveals how to effectively utilize poker tracking software and equity calculators, and offers a step-by-step guide to structuring your studies around a weekly central theme. This approach not only streamlines your learning process but ensures each new skill builds upon the last, making your study time both efficient and productive. Say goodbye to the overwhelm of scattered poker information and start stacking your skills strategically. Ready to transform your game? Click the “Buy Now” button and set the foundation for your poker success.

Bad Beats and Lucky Draws is a comprehensive guide to professional high-stakes poker, written by Phil Hellmuth, a nine-time World Series of Poker Champion and author of Play Poker Like the Pros. The book offers a detailed account of numerous iconic poker hands from major tournaments like the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour, and the European Tour. Hellmuth shares his thoughts on the players’ strategies and what they could have done differently, including his own plays. The book is both entertaining and educational, offering readers a front-row seat to the best bluffs, reads, and dramatic plays, such as the hand that earned Hellmuth his ninth bracelet at the 2003 World Series. The book also features special contributions from notable poker players like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Daniel Negreanu, Ted Forrest, Jennifer Harman, Layne Flack, Men Nguyen, and John Bonetti.

Out of Print

This book stands out from other poker books by explaining the theory of the game in simple terms, without delving into complex math or formulas. The book primarily consists of Eckstut’s private lessons and includes basic poker math calculations for outs and pot odds, as well as verification tasks and tests. Eckstut believes that each player possesses four types of knowledge: what they know, what they know they don’t know, what they don’t know they don’t know, and what they don’t know they know. The book caters to those who already understand the rules, basic terms, and strategies of poker, and is not suitable for complete beginners. “Bobbo’s Bible” offers useful information, breaking down difficult strategies, game principles, and formulas into simple language, and includes complex strategies that can be applied after mastering the fundamentals. The book’s price at release was over $1,000, reflecting the value of Bobbo’s expensive and effective lessons.

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”.

A data-driven approach to postflop play that appeals to both intermediate and advanced players. With a simple writing style and over 100 sample hands, the book guarantees to enhance your game, perspective, and confidence in postflop decision-making. Volume I introduces a logical framework for decision-making and focuses on playing pocket pairs, while Volume II builds upon this foundation, examining situations without a pocket pair and delving into topics such as drawing, bluffing, floating, double barrels, and leveraging HUD data for postflop analysis.

The book is divided into two main parts. Initially, you’ll encounter a series of poker hand examples, designed to highlight the thought process difference between an average no-limit hold’em player and a professional. Each example offers a minor enhancement to your gameplay. The second part transforms the lessons from the first part into tasks. Regularly performing these tasks and applying your should enhance your poker skills.

Quantum Poker is the premier poker strategy guide that accurately defines optimal in-game decisions using innovative methods. This book integrates basic and advanced concepts into The Unified Theory of Poker replacing the standard poker term Expected Value, with a more precise term,  Average Enumerated Value. Although most examples are in NLHE, Quantum Poker is uniquely crafted to enhance your overall game. It covers everything from hand range and combinatorial analysis to equity distribution by street, equipping you with the essential tools to maximize your poker potential.

This classic book by Fox during the peak of draw poker’s popularity in California’s cardrooms. It is considered one of the finest books on draw, focusing on key topics for professional players. These include position, frequency, distribution of playable hands, bluffing frequencies, eliciting calls, and behavioral deductions, as well as when to call. The book is enriched with numerous mathematical tables and psychological strategies.

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.

Mastering PLO stands out as a unique and impressive book that introduces a fresh approach to the game, unlike most PLO books that suggest an outdated, highly conservative game-plan that’s ineffective in today’s games. This book provides detailed explanations on pre-flop hand selection and dynamics, including wide 3- and 4-bet ranges analysis and optimal bet-sizing theory. It also teaches how to leverage equity shifts on turn and river, and the art of bluffing. It helps you comprehend the game better, fostering a comprehensive view of the play by linking preflop decisions to later actions. And there’s more… A well-defined game-plan and the right mindset can significantly boost your win-rate and give you an advantage over your opponents. Mastering PLO is the key to gaining that advantage!

The book is a follow-up to his previous works, the Little Green Book and Little Blue Book, and focuses on providing advanced strategies and lessons for mastering the game of poker. It covers various aspects of the game, including hand analysis, betting strategies, bluffing, and reading opponents. The book is designed for experienced poker players who want to take their game to the next level and gain an edge over their competition. It incorporates modern poker concepts and strategies, reflecting the evolution of the game in the era of online poker and televised tournaments.

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.

A practical guide that explores a range of hands played from these crucial positions to illustrate essential concepts and help readers elevate their poker game. Drawing from real-life examples played between $1/$2 and $2/$5 live stakes, the hands presented vary in complexity, offering valuable insights for players of all skill levels. Unlike dry textbooks, this book adopts a conversational tone, making the content more engaging and easier to understand. Following the popular format used in “Hull’s Poker Plays You Can Use,” this book features hands and missions that reinforce key lessons, providing readers with actionable strategies they can immediately apply to their own play.

Owen shares his secrets to becoming a master at reading poker hands, drawing from his experience of analyzing over 3 million hands of opponents of all kinds. This book includes more than 100 quiz questions and answers! You’ve watched poker professionals on TV magically predict an opponent’s hand. Now, it’s your chance! Owen’s experience allows him to make highly accurate assumptions about various opponent strategies. This invaluable knowledge can help other players quickly become experts at hand-reading. With this information and some practice, you’ll often find that your opponent’s hole cards are revealing a lot. It’s all about learning to listen to their signals. Once you’ve mastered this, you’ll have a crucial skill needed to dominate at the poker tables.