We have a regular home game that I host, and I've decided to make my library of books & DVDs available for people to check out so they can improve their game. I'm using a personal library kit as well as an online listing to keep track of who has what books.

It occurred to me that there might be some fantastic books/DVDs that I've overlooked or just never acquired, so I thought I'd posit the question here.

Anyone know of any excellent books/DVDs that are missing from the list linked to above? To help you, we play NL HE 2x a week, and limit HORSE one night a week... as well as NL HE tournaments 1x a month.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have.

Well, I recommend that you start your library with a good biography of PT Barnum.

There are several quotes from old PT that apply to poker, including his most famous:

"Never give a sucker an even break, or smarten up a chump."

Another is only attributed to PT, but sounds quite like something he would say and also fits the situation:

"It is morally reprehensible that a fool should be allowed to keep his money."

Finally, read some Dr. Al, particularly Psychology of Poker. Try to understand some of the various motivations many people bring to home poker games:

• Some people like to be the center of attention. They don't care where the party is or what the party is for, so long as every one is paying attention to them.

• Some people are followers. They play poker because Alpha Dog said they were playing poker.

• Some people have a need to demonstrate. They just have to show the world that they are God's Gift to poker, even though they have no idea how to actually play.

• Some people are so flabbergasted that another human being things enough of them to invite then into their home, that they honestly don't care what's going on. They just want to be there, and hope that they'll get invited back.

Then find out what it is that each of your friends wants out of a home poker group, and make it your job to ensure that they find what it is they are looking for.

And each week they will gladly lose lots of their hard earned money to you, go home smiling, and come back for more of the same the next week.

Oh, and poker books? You can't learn poker from books. It's a talent, something you're just born with, like that guy in Beautiful Mind. And it's mostly just luck anyway. You can learn everything you need to know watching poker on TV...

Thanks... I think?

Hey Moki,

I noticed an interesting book on your list:
The Psychology of Judgement & Decision Making by Scott Plous

This book costs $86.10 on Amazon.ca - has anyone reviewed this book. The book sounds quite interesting.

Anyone out there read it or reviewed it?

Regarding your library, I would add NL Hold'em Theory and Practice and Professional No Limit Hold'em.

I have not read that book yet. It's next up on my list, though, so I'll let you know how it is.

kind of strange that you purchased The Ultimate Guide to Poker Tells / Randy Burgess and don't have caro's book of tells in your library.

i would def recommend getting this one esp. for home game poker where tells abound everywhere.

btw-nice setup around the fireplace. looks like a nice home to play at

That's a pretty cool idea to offer your own little library there. I hope you don't run into too many people not returning them or damaging them.

Good point. I have it on order now.

Thanks. It's actually a barn believe it or not.

Well, the rules are that if people lose or damage the book, they have to replace it (no cash equivalent accepted), and they are not allowed to play @ the game if they have an overdue/missing book.

We'll see how effective that is.

Any other book or DVD suggestions?

Not sure what level of players you're aiming for, but for beginners (who know the basics), Phil Gordons Little Green Book does an excellent job of explaining some key concepts in an understandable way.

I would also get 'Kill everyone' for NL tournaments.

Also, shouldn't TAs Elements of Poker be under psychology rather than NL HE Cash?

I'd be fine if my friends destroyed my poker books, but much more bothered if any of my friends read them.

Du you extract money from your friends ?

I used to, back when I had friends...

Friends are rigged.

I tried to build up my friends list but got broke after some bad beats. My mistake, I did not use adequate friends management and played overfriended.

Oups sorry for the thread

I dont know if its appropriate for me or not but Im trying to unload my library
that I have accumulated including most dvds from party including the latest from bobbo. If anyone is interested please message me and ill get you my email. thx

Well, I agree there is a good bit of poker mindset in the book -- but it does also delve into actual poker strategy quite a bit, particularly regarding NL HE cash game.

I could see it under Psychology/Metagame too though, I agree.

I still have not read this book, but I did leaf through it out of curiosity. It appears to have little to nothing to do with poker, despite having cards on the front cover.

It may still be of use/value to a poker player from a metagame level, but it appears to be solidly a book on the psychology and fallacy of decision making.

Thanks for the recommendation. I cashed out some FTP points and it is on the way!

Added a dozen or so more titles... if there's anything you think I've missed, please let me know.

I found a program called Delicious Library that lets me catalog the books, as well as keep track of who has what books checked out. Thought I'd let people know about it in case it was useful to them.

It also lets you export an interactive library to the web:

http://www.rimdog.com/library/