Hi 2+2. I've been playing poker as a hobby for about a year now. I'm not a losing player but i wouldn't describe myself as a winning player. I've been playing 5nl for a while as well as sit n go's and tourneys and have been doing OK. But... i feel like i should read a book or two on the subject so if someone could give me some tips on what i should buy that would be just... delightful! Thanks.

I'm a bookworm myself, but I can also tell you that videos are far better.

There's lots of great training sites, some with free trials. Deuces Cracked is my choice, but there's also a site dedicated to small stakes that's only like $10 a month.

It's called grinderschool.com

Also post lots of hands on this forum, and listen to the advice, and you will see your game skyrocket.

no limit hold em theory and practice, by sklansky and miller. moderately advanced but easy to understand, tons of good information. i've read it so many times the spine is wore out.

I've been playing for the same time as you and would describe myself much the same. I've read a heap of books though and lately the results are starting to show through (early days).

Hands down best book...Poker Mindset. Once your head is in the right place, most other stuff will fall into place given enough hard work and practice.

The Colin Mosham book (SNG Strategy) is great for STT, since most other books flick between MTT and STT, which can be confusing for the beginner.

Harrington on Holdem, Vol 1,2 & 3 are a must in my opinion...and they also have the benefit of being well written...which is rare for poker authors.

Don't get me started on Kill Phil...but Kill Everyone has some pretty useful stuff in it. I've just ordered Raisers Edge and the Slansky book on Tournament Poker.

And if I've just come over as a poker book nerd...pretty much all of them agree that there is no substitute for years and years of playing.

Harrington on Online Cash Games; 6-Max No-Limit Hold'em

I disagree to a degree. The more a person educates himself about the game and analyzes hands, the lower his tuition cost CAN BE to the "school of hard knocks".

Oh, and regarding "The Poker Mindset", this is an incredibly powerful quote:

"Poker is not about winning the most hands; it is about winning the most money. In fact, the way the game is structured makes it a bad idea to try to win every hand. Each hand has only one winner, so you are better off picking your spots and playing only the hands where you think you have an edge. A player who tries to win every hand will end up losing a lot of money in the process."

There's a whole forum for this topic. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/33...-publications/

Basic books for a beginner are Harrington's books on cash and tournament play. I find them to be a bit out dated, but they give you a general idea of how to properly grasp the game.

lol i have a huge donkey/maniac with uber-deep pockets at my game, and i pray he never, EVER, hears that quote!

The Theory of Poker by Sklansky

I found that the best book early in my education, it lays the foundation for so many advanced books that you should only read after that one.

Collin Moshmans STT book is brilliant if you want to look into playing STT's.