Dan Harrington Books
| Volume 1: Strategic Play (2004) Volume 2: The Endgame (2005) Volume 3: The Workbook (2006) | |
| Author | Dan Harrington |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Two Plus Two Publishing |
Harrington on Hold 'em is a series of poker books about poker strategy, particularly for Texas hold 'empoker tournaments. They were all written by Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie and published by Two Plus Two Publishing.
The original Harrington books were a gentle introduction in part because common techniques like bluffing and slow-playing were relegated to the second volume, so that the first could focus purely on making reasonable value bets. Peter Harrington specialises in selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, library sets, maps and original artwork. There were a number of books present on poker and for the team it was really difficult to make the list of the best ones. Among all, short listing was done and a list of 59 books is prepared by the writer and 888Poker. In the list books of poker player Dan Harrington “Harrington on Hold’em Volume 1: Strategic Play” got the first ranking.
Background[edit]
The Harrington on Hold 'em series of books were written by Bill Robertie and Dan Harrington, a professional poker player who has earned over US$4.5 million during his poker career. He has won two World Series of Poker bracelets, including one from the 1995 World Series of Poker Main Event,[1] and he has made it to four final tables in total at the World Series of Poker (in 1987, 1995, 2003, and 2004).[2]
Synopsis[edit]
Volume 1: Strategic Play (ISBN978-1880685334), which contains seven key sections, begins by introducing the reader to poker and its history, along with a glossary of poker terms. The book is not written for novices to the game, therefore it does not include some of the more basic information about the game, such as poker hands, the game's mechanics, betting, etc.[1] This entry in the series focuses on the basics of poker, such as playing styles, starting hands, pot odds, and hand analysis. CardPlayer felt that Harrington, a former chess master, wrote the book like a chess guide, noting, 'He poses situations, asks the relevant questions, and then provides solutions. A simple diagram depicts position, blinds, and chip stacks, and then a specific challenge is articulated.'[2]
Volume 2: The Endgame (ISBN978-1880685358) focuses on strategies used in poker tournaments, particularly on how to change playing styles depending on how large a chipstack is compared to the blinds. It also introduces related concepts such as the M-ratio and the Q-ratio.[2]
Volume 3: The Workbook (ISBN978-1880685365) is essentially a workbook containing many example scenarios for readers to apply concepts learned from the first two volumes in the series.[3]
Reception[edit]
Greg Hill of the website Poker News noted that since Volume 1 does not include some of the more basic information about poker, it potentially discriminates against novice players and therefore could possibly be restricting the book's audience to a more limited audience. However, Hill noted that the book is 'well written and well structured', making it easy to pick up the book and begin reading from any section of interest.[1] Tim Peters of poker magazine CardPlayer felt that the books are essential in helping players prepare for poker tournaments.[2] Jeff Haney of the Las Vegas Sun considers the series to be 'required reading' for anyone interested in participating in high-stakes tournament poker. The level of play in major poker tournaments have gotten significantly tougher and more competitive since the release of the first book in the series, according to several experts on poker tournaments, including poker professional Blair Rodman and Mason Malmuth, the owner of the books' publishing company. Harrington himself is sometimes the victim of the strategies that he suggests in his books.[4] In addition, players have thanked him afterward for teaching them the new moves. 'I find people are using a lot of the techniques I wrote about in the books against me,' said Harrington.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ abcHill, Greg (2006-08-16). 'UK Poker News Review: Harrington on Hold'em – Volume 1'. PokerNews. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ abcdPeters, Tim (2006-07-25). 'Your World Series of Poker Reading List'. CardPlayer. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^Hill, Greg (2006-09-18). 'Harrington on Hold'em – Volume 2: The Endgame'. PokerNews. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ abHaney, Jeff (2005-10-26). 'How poker players use strategies learned in Dan Harrington's two popular books on Texas hold 'em'. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
External links[edit]
What are the best poker books? There is a jungle of different poker books out there. But what poker books are really worth reading? We at PokercoachO.com have read all literature worth reading in this area. Here are our top choices for you who want to develop your game to a world class player.
1. Harrington on Hold ’em Volume 1: Strategic Play
This classic poker book that Dan Harrington, aka “Action Dan”, wrote in connection with the poker boom is a real masterpiece and a must to read for any player who wants to get better at tournament poker and sit and go’s.
In this book Harrington goes through the foundations of good Texas Holdem tournament poker, such as the importance of position, pot odds, selection of starting hands and much more.
The book is also very easy to understand with pictures that illustrate selected example hands for each section. Harrington’s first tournament book, together with the sequel, is one of the best poker books ever written.
Read more about Harrington on Holdem Volume 1
About the author Dan Harrington
Dan Harrington won the gold bracelet and world championship title at the “$ 10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Championship” at the 1995 World Series of Poker. In addition, he was the only player to reach the final table both in 2003 (out of 839 starting) and in 2004 (out of 2,576 starting) – which many experts consider to be the greatest achievement in the WSOP’s history.
2. Harrington on Hold ’em Volume 2: The Endgame
Why make it difficult. Dan Harrington again. His sequel “The Endgame” is just as good as the first part and develops the concepts explained in the first book.
In the second book, Harrington guides how to play in the later events of a tournament, how to calculate the “M-value”, when to go all in and how to play “heads up” at the end.
More books from Harrington:
Harrington on modern tournament poker (updated version of the above books adapted for today’s aggressive tournament poker)
Harrington on Holdem v.3. the workbook (the sequel to the first two books described above)
3. Moorman’s “Book of Poker”
Chris Moorman, or Moorman1, which he is called on Pokerstars, is one of the world’s best online poker poker players. In this modern poker book, Moorman contributes with his expertise in a kind of coaching format where he gives his view of the hands of another poker player.
About Chris Moorman
Moorman is simply a genius and the book is highly recommended to read for anyone who wants to learn the most advanced poker concepts in today’s aggressive poker tournaments. Although we feel that a format in which Moorman describes his own hands would have been even more interesting. But as the poker player he is, he maybe felt that this was giving away too much information.
Read more about Moormans Book of poker
4. Doyle Brunsons “Super System”
The Poker Legdend Doyle Bruno’s timeless classics “Super System: A course in power poker!: ” from the 1970s is a must for anyone who wants to get familiar with poker history. Many concepts that are mentioned in this book are just as valuable today as when it was written almost 50 years ago. The book is a “must read” for all real poker fans.
Brunson has also published a revised version of her old classic in more modern version. It’s called “Super System 2”.
About Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson, author of the world’s best-known poker book, Super System, was written in the 1970s.
5. Mike Caros “Book of tells”
When we are still talking about classics, we cannot get away from mentioning Mike Caro’s “Book of tells”. For those who want to be able to pick up tells and information from live poker players this is a must. All possible tips and tricks are mention, like how to read your opponents who usually act “Strong when weak” and “Weak when strong”.
Read more about the classic Book of tells
David Sklansky “The theory of poker”
Even this poker pook into the category poker classics. This was actually the first poker book I read myself almost 15 years ago, and it describes the basics of poker theory for the most common versions of the game. This book is highly recommended to read as a first book combined with Dan Harrington’s tournament books. David Sklansky is by many ranked by as one of the world’s foremost poker theorists.
Read more about Sklansky’s “The theory of poker”
Other books from Sklansky
Hold’Em Poker for Advanced Players
Tournament poker
Theory and Practice
7. Bill Chen’s “The mathematics of poker”
Dr. Dan Harrington
For those who really want to learn more about the mathematics in poker, we recommend Bill Chen’s “The Mathematics of poker”. Note that this book is more suited for advanced players and requires in-depth mathematical knowledge.
What do you think? What are the best poker books?
Dan Harrington Books Publisher
Good luck with the game!
Dan Harrington Cfo
/ Coaches at PokercoachO.com
Do you want to learn more rules about Texas Holdem poker? Check this page at Wikipedia. The best poker sites can be found here.