Disagree with Diver1. This book helped me win a "bar" tournament. Got reads and correlation early on two players. When we were at the final table, I was able to make a huge call and sick bluff because of their tells.

Only one other poker book won me as much money in such a short period of time.

I had read the book three times. As the author points out, it wasn't easy.

Then sklansky, Miller, Harrington et all also aren't any good? More often than not you won't hear anything definitive. Many times I read "Sometimes fold" or other ambiguous language and didn't understand early in my career. What do you mean sometimes fold but occasionally raise I'd scream!?

The problem with tells is that Not everyone does the same thing and one tell that means strong for one person might mean weak for someone else. This book explains things excellently. Perhaps you should read it again or come back to it once you gain more experience.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using 2+2 Forums

Hi Everyone:

Tells are at best an inexact science. They also have the problem of only being valuable if they make you change your play and they are accurate. For instance, if you were going to call anyway and the tell indicates that your opponent's probability of bluffing has gone up, then it has no value for this particular play.

But it's also my opinion that for most players in the middle limits, and this would include no-limit games, understanding the theory in Elwood's book should contribute a small increase in your win rate (assuming you already play reasonably well without the use of tells). And if you put a lot of time in at the poker table, a small increase in your win rate can add up to a significant amount of money.

Best wishes,
Mason

I think people playing at all levels will see benefits, but people at lower levels will see the most benefit because people at those levels are probably less aware of their tells or how to fix them.

Well, the funny part is that each of you really should read this book. The book is about reading other people and their "tells". Everyone who did not get my "tells" needs to go back and re-read the book.

Exactly. After reading this book I have started picking up a few somewhat reliable tells in the local 2/5 games but nothing super solid on anyone. I'm sure if I keep practicing and studying I will get better.

On the other hand the guys in Friday night home game might as well be playing their cards face up now.

Well ….I’ve heard a lot about this book and I need something to refresh my reads on tells other than Mike’s book...So I’ve just placed my order.
I hope I’ll get it soon (Greece in about a month or so) and post my opinion here !!!

wat?

Umm.. I think you should try again to explain this, because as written, it makes absolutely no sense.

The book is so good he doesn't want others to read it and cut into his win rate. Don't tap the glass

Yes, don't tap the glass.......Clearly that's why I said it is a "must read" and stated people of all skill levels should read this book.

Clearly some of you cant see a "tell" even when written in black and white and you really should read Zach's book.

ok

Ugh....OK, let me clean this up and explain why this book is no good and is a must read.

"Reading Poker Tells" by Zachary Elwood explains much of what has already been written about......but tells you that you cant rely on any of the information. Why?, Because 99% of everything is situation and you need to think about it.

As an example; almost everyone will tell you that the guy who is shaking when he bets probably has the nuts and most of the time this will be correct. BUT.....a guy like myself becomes very calm the second I sit down at the table. My blood pressure gets very low....so, I get VERY cold at almost every poker room and I start to shake, no matter what my cards are, What about the guy that "thinks" he has the nuts because he has a K high flush on the flop?

"Reading Poker Tells" by Zachary Elwood, as I read it, teaches more about "think about it" then actual tells. Yet the book is loaded with potential tells.

When you compare "Reading Poker Tells" by Zachary Elwood to other books its "not good" because its not filled with excitement and hype. Its filled with with practical thinking about a given situation.

In fact, IMHO, if you read the "Tells" of Zach's writting you will see that he just does not feel the "other" books out there are practical for today's poker player and that some of the "other" books are just flat outdated.

"Reading Poker Tells" by Zachary Elwood IS NOT A GOOD BOOK.......It is a must read (which means its better then good for those who did not get my "tells" in my earlier posts).

In the end, yes, I hope none of you read his book

Excellent. You might want to consider writing a book yourself. I bet it also would not be good.

OK now I see what you're saying.

Too late

Yes, but that's only because I suck......as evidenced above.....:}

So I just went to amazon expecting their not be to a kindle version and there is one for $9.95... guessing the author caved? makes me happy downloading it tonight.

I have just finished this book and I think is a great one. I mean it surely add things to Mike's book and make the examples more obvious. The author uses a very comprehensive way to explain his interesting new aspect of analyzing tells.

As a recreational 1-2/2-5 player who just got the book a month, I have found it highly valuable and have already made my money back on it 10 fold.

I have not yet finished the book, but the first half alone was worth the price.

Can I pick up every tell in the book on every player all the time? No.

Have I been able to pick up some tells on say 2-3 players/session that have made me money, either in the forms of picking up pots by betting air when it appears everyone is showing weakness, or by saving myself money with a good hand when V is indicating super strength? Yes.

Is it easier to find these tells with the Saturday night crowd than the Monday morning crowd? Hell yes.

He makes a good point somewhere in the book, that its an extra tool. You don't need tells to bet the stone cold nuts; but if you're fairly confident that tell moves you from a 50-50 decision based on basic hand range analysis etc. and the tell puts you more into a 60-40 decision either way, its one more piece of info to help you make the right decision more often.

I personally think its a must own.

Roger

I did cave. Give the people what they want.

i bought reading poker tells by zach ellwood, great book, had fun at the senior event,lol
just turned 50....good times

met the author seemed like a good dude

need to read this book two times, to get all the complexity....mr. zach is onto something...

this was a very good book & i do not want other players to read it (that equates to my highest praise)

1/2 way through this book and I can honestly say it's help me see so many things I was missing at the table. I think if you read this book and don't know anything else about poker you could still break even or beat the local 1/2 game at the casino. When you add this to the ability to play better than your opponents it's almost like cheating.

great read this book is real helpful to anyone looking to learn