I am looking for some advice on what book i should read and was hoping to get some advice form some of you. Here is my situation. I just moved up from 5/10cent to 10/25cent NLHE, doing quite well, ive turned 30.00 into 140.00 in the past three days. My problems is that i dont like to raise pre-flop, even with a decent hand. I know this is something i must work on. I am also looking to quickly calculate odds, and figure how many outs i have in any given hand. I have tried skimming a few poker books while at Barnes and Noble but glancing at some of the mathmatical equations throw me for a loop. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

For a good overview try Hold 'em Poker For Advanced Players" by David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth. read this book several times and refer back to it frequently.

Most poker math is very simple and after repetition becomes automatic. Try not to allow yourself to become intimidated by it because you probably already understand much of it intuitively without even realizing it. For some of the nitty-gritty stuff read "The Theory of Poker" by David Sklansky. this is a tougher read but it will explore situations in more detail and provide the theory you need to know what to do and why.

Just remember not to trick yourself into thinking you can't understand it. If you are having trouble with a concept, ask here and i'm sure someone will be happy to help you.

good luck (or something)!

MF: Did u even read his post??? LOL, I am surprised you didn't recommend a book on PLO

OP: Below is from my earlier post today, if you are particularly interested in the basic math/probabilities/ and simple strategy, look into the 2nd one and the little green book...

" Re: TOP 5 BOOKS?
For NLHE Cash

1) Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play

2) Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities: Limit, No-Limit, and Tournament Strategies

3) No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice

4) Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I

5) No-Limit Texas Hold'em: A Complete Course

Also, highly recommend:

-Ace on the River: An Advanced Poker Guide

This one is also useful:

Phil Gordon's Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold'em"

d'

You should do a few things...
1) Spend a considerable amount of time reading the PL/NL Texas Hold'em forums here on 2+2.

2) Take a suggestion or two from the list in the previous post.

3) Move back down in stakes. Your bankroll is not big enough to maintain at your current level. Add that to the fundamental flaws you've admitted to and you're running full speed to busto! You need to move back down. Not raising, not knowing some basic percentages, and not knowing how to count outs are serious issues. You need to learn that before playing any higher than .01/.02. I don't think you should currently be playing at all.

Seeking advice here is a good step and shows that you want to improve. It's a smart move. Now stop playing and learn some key concepts. Take some time to study. Then return to the games with the full amount of the bankroll you've just built and the knowledge.

Hey Deacsoft

Thanks for the kind words, let me say i have been playing tournaments online for a while and doing quite well. Just the other night i finished 24th out of 2311 in a 5.00 BI on stars, i have WON a few on AP as well. Its just something about cash games, its like a differant mind set for me.

You mentioned you want to improve at NL and spoke about pot odds correct?
Well you must ALWAYS consider your implied odds in NL.

So the OP says he does not like to raise pre-flop even with a decent hand. Sounds like he needs to work on the mental aspect also.

While I like book, it's for limit hold'em. Is there anything you've actually read that you recommend?

Also, OP, at very least move down a couple limits. Your risk of ruin is very high and right now you're behind almost everyone judging by your post. You won't hold up very long at .10/.25 with some of the leaks you mentioned, I mean those are big ones.

Slow down, back up a little and take it one thing at a time. Or, you can blow through a few deposits first and then come back later. That's another way to learn, just slower and more painful.

I wouldn't mind betting that at this stage you're going to find
this forum far more instructive than any book(s).

Together with things like this.

Good Luck