Hold’Em Poker for Advanced Players

Authors: David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth

Based on The Cover

The updated version of this book is called “Limit Hold ’em Poker for Advanced Players”

TL;DR - Important Takeaways

On the river in multiway pots, you can often be sure you are beat if the right card comes. For example, if there was raising on the flop and turn with two flush cards out there, and the flush card comes on the river, it’s very likely someone has the flush.
When semi-bluffing on the flop, don’t automatically continue betting the turn. Mix it up so opponents can’t easily read you. Also consider betting an open-end straight draw with two flush cards on the flop as a semi-bluff.
Getting a free card on the turn is often profitable, especially in late position. Your flop bet will frequently buy you a free card, unless your opponent is prone to check-raising.
You can often profitably bluff when the flop contains a pair, especially in a short-handed pot. Opponents will frequently fold hands like middle pair to a bet.
When playing small pairs, be ready to fold if an overcard comes on the flop and there is betting, especially in multiway pots. Only continue if you flop a set or are getting the right implied odds.
Against a maniac who raises constantly, tighten up when he’s left to act after you. When you’re left to act after him, reraise frequently to isolate. Prefer to sit to his left if the rest of the table will let you isolate him.
When facing a 3-bet preflop with a big pair, just call and play the flop, especially if the 3-bettor is left to act after you. Check and call down unless the board gets very scary. Let them bluff off chips.
On dangerous flops like three of a suit or three connected cards, play draws aggressively but made hands cautiously. Bluffing is rarely profitable in multiway pots.
On the turn, tend to bet strong hands that are likely best but have no outs if behind. Check and call with strong hands that have outs, like two pair when a flush draw comes in.
As a balance, check-raise some strong hands on the turn since you’ll be giving up with many weak hands that you bet on the flop. This makes you tougher to read.

What We Learned From Reading the Book

While reading we did not encounter any entirely new concepts that we had not already come across. The strategies and ideas discussed, such as semi-bluffing, playing small pairs, dealing with aggressive opponents, and balancing your play on the turn, are all fundamental concepts in poker strategy.

Having said that, every book presents information in a unique way which can refine your understanding and poker abilities.