Super Systems 2

Nalced_irl

Ok, I am not one for reading books. In fact, probably havent read one since school. But i got SS2 today from a free poker site offer and i need some motivation to actually read it! From the people who have read it, did it really improve your game alot? Im in that period where i would consider myself a mediocre/good player (can play very well but can make stupid mistakes) but certainly not great and feel i need a little something to push me to the next level. Could SS2 do that?

Rnger

its got a very short no limit hold em section compared to the rest of the book. i suggest you see what brunson has to say but dont take his word as gospel...

Amaru

SS/1 is better for learning hold em imo, its longer and has more comprehensive stat tables at the back.

The PL Omaha section is good i think, but then i haven't read any other omaha books, but it does teach you some good habits and how to think about the game.

Lafortezza

Omaha section is decent for people looking to learn the game.
The hold'em section leans a bit too heavily on the aggression above everything else imo.

Dub13

I found there is very little about tournament play.To play like brunson you would need a big big bankroll,you simply cannot play that aggressively in a tournament.

But its a must read...simpley to get inside the head of the 100s of people who have read his book and are playing as brunson suggests.

staringelf

a far better purchase in my opinion would be dan harringtons 2 books
"harrington on hold em" volumes 1 & 2. working my way through them at the minute. they really make you think about your play and every tiny asp[ect of it. you can get em on amazon. i haven't seen them in any bookstores on these shores.

Dub13

staringelf wrote:

a far better purchase in my opinion would be dan harringtons 2 books
"harrington on hold em" volumes 1 & 2. working my way through them at the minute. they really make you think about your play and every tiny asp[ect of it. you can get em on amazon. i haven't seen them in any bookstores on these shores.

They have them in Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street

staringelf

Dub13 wrote:

They have them in Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street

ah, i stand corrected.
go forth and purchase. action dan is the man.:)

Ste05

As Dub13 says if you subscribe to the SS2 methodology of Holdem you need a big bankroll. :mad:

But it is well worth reading, but, if you only were to only read 1 book, I wouldn't be recommending this one. However, when read as part of a diet of Poker books, it can give you some nice insights into developing your own strategy and style. Just MHO,

Take a dash of Brunson, a lashing of Harrington, a hint of Sklansky and top off with what ever seasoning you want...

Dub13

Even if you have a big bankroll it will not help you in a frezout...thats one of the main reasons I was disappointed in SS2,it gives plenty of advice on how to piss away chips in a tournament but little on how to get the chips in the first place.

Ste05

Dub13 wrote:

Even if you have a big bankroll it will not help you in a frezout...thats one of the main reasons I was disappointed in SS2,it gives plenty of advice on how to piss away chips in a tournament but little on how to get the chips in the first place.

Absolutely for tournaments it's not great at all, I was more referring to Cash play really, it's really all he talks about in the Hold'Em section

Rnger

I'd reccomend the book for novices. Its an easy read compared to how Sklansky can be (Hold'em for advanced players made me sick at first:eek: ). It was the first poker book i read and taught me that when you have AA or KK, to win the pot is NOT your god given right . Too bad about all the padding in SS2 - Mike Caro's 47(ish) random musing's anyone?

bohsman

Dub13 wrote:

Even if you have a big bankroll it will not help you in a frezout...thats one of the main reasons I was disappointed in SS2,it gives plenty of advice on how to piss away chips in a tournament but little on how to get the chips in the first place.

His 3-4 day event advice was very good.

Have to say thought Caros section was the best part of the book

Ste05

Rnger wrote:

I'd reccomend the book for novices. Its an easy read compared to how Sklansky can be (Hold'em for advanced players made me sick at first:eek: ).

I would actually say the exact opposite, although it might be easier to read than Sklansky, the techniques described in it are quite advanced and could easily bankrupt a newbie in double time....

All newbs should read Harrington first...

hotspur

I was poker-book-a-buying in Hodges Figgis last week and I didn't see any of Harrington's books in the poker section, ended up with a biog of Stuey Ungar.
I feel this thread may have become the original poster's worst nightmare. I recommend Ulysses by Joyce

jtsuited

Harrington harrington harrington. There are too many new players coming along and playing stupidly aggressive in tournaments because they're applying brunson's cash game approach.

Dub13

hotspur wrote:

I was poker-book-a-buying in Hodges Figgis last week and I didn't see any of Harrington's books in the poker section, ended up with a biog of Stuey Ungar.

The last time I was there Harrington's books were not actually in the poker section they were about 20foot away,for some strange reason.

Doc Farrell

all the poker books have been put in reference with the dictionaries down the back of the 1st floor. don't ask me why.
there's loads of harringtons and Brunsons and sklanskys and loads of other rubbish and a couple of gems. christmas stock. good luck findingwhat u want.

Imposter

Ste05 wrote:

I would actually say the exact opposite, although it might be easier to read than Sklansky, the techniques described in it are quite advanced and could easily bankrupt a newbie in double time....

All newbs should read Harrington first...

I don't think Holdem or advanced players should be the first book anyone reads. There's a clue in the title dammit!

I found SS1 hard going. So much so that I still haven't finished it. I'd suggest Theory of Poker as the best first book (if you have a little experience). With no experience I'd suggest Lee Jone's book (Winning Low-Limit Hold'em).

After TOP i'd suggest Harrington especially if it's tournaments you're into.

Rnger

Ste05 wrote:

I would actually say the exact opposite, although it might be easier to read than Sklansky, the techniques described in it are quite advanced and could easily bankrupt a newbie in double time....

All newbs should read Harrington first...

I'd trust Ste over me tbh. I've yet to read Harrington

Nalced_irl

I have heard Harringtons books are good actually. I got Cloutier and McEvoys Championship No Limit/Pot Limit book a while back but that teaches a much too tight game for me (one i simply dont have the patience for). The NL part of SS2 is quite small so im sure i will get through it May well give Harringtons books a go also.

Gavan

I'm only starting off and was recomended these books by matt at ivanandzorro.com in america . Bought one off him last week and it arrived in three days

Theory of Poker
Harrington I & II
Championship Pot Limit & No Limit Hold Em

califano

Nalced_irl wrote:

Ok, I am not one for reading books. In fact, probably havent read one since school. But i got SS2 today from a free poker site offer and i need some motivation to actually read itThe NL part of SS2 is quite small so im sure i will get through it

You should get the audio books and have them on when your sleeping learning subliminally.

The Snapper

Nalced_irl wrote:

I have heard Harringtons books are good actually. I got Cloutier and McEvoys Championship No Limit/Pot Limit book a while back but that teaches a much too tight game for me (one i simply dont have the patience for). The NL part of SS2 is quite small so im sure i will get through it May well give Harringtons books a go also.

Harrington also preaches tight play. Was reading vol 1 the other nite and I nearly fell off the chair when I read " Super aggressive players may play as much as 30% of hands". Nearly finished vol 1 now, I highly recommend this book for tourney play strategy.

ntlbell

The Snapper wrote:

Harrington also preaches tight play. Was reading vol 1 the other nite and I nearly fell off the chair when I read " Super aggressive players may play as much as 30% of hands". Nearly finished vol 1 now, I highly recommend this book for tourney play strategy.

What do you consider super aggressive?

Nalced_irl

rounders123 wrote:

You should get the audio books and have them on when your sleeping learning subliminally.

Do they actually sell these as audiobooks? That would suit me great
30% of hands being superaggressive sounds a little short alright. What do they call the guys who play about 70% of them? (apart from idiots of course)

hotspur

Are you sure you want to drift into sleep with Dan Harrington whispering "nice and tight" into your ear?

handsfree

has anyone read mike carsons complete guide to texas hold'em. i found very good and it goes into great detail in explaining pot odds and other such ideas that a lot of books don't talk about

Dub13

hotspur wrote:

Are you sure you want to drift into sleep with Dan Harrington whispering "nice and tight" into your ear?

LOL

califano

Just trying to save him the hassle of motivating himself to read the book. Anyway im sure Dan Harrington is a gentleman
most of the time