Ok i don't really know why this came into my head but...


I was just thinking about a poker book my mate bought me. Something like play poker like the pros by Phil Hellmuth Jr. (don't have it to hand)

Anyways, i've read all the chapters relevant to my game and i think that book was utter bs.

Now to the point, on the back i remember a quote saying something like best poker book ever wish i had this 40 years ago. Now i'm no poker book specialist but i've read posts on 2p2 better than the content in that book (no offence to p2er's but we don't pay here).

Point is, how can they get away with hyping up a book that the guy clearly hasn't read and Hellmuth clearly didn't put any effort into. The book is ****ing awful.

How does everyone else feel about this sort of thing? and like other testimonials on poker products that are clearly just there to sell.

I haven't read that book, but I have Phill Hellmuth's Texas Holdem book.

Let me tell you, it is THE BEST poker book I have ever read. Ever.

It's better than The Theory of poker, Holdem poker for advanced players, Harrington on holdem, It crushes all the 2+2 drivel out there.


Seriously though, if you're trying to sell a ****ty product, are you gonna say "well, it's not that great"?

They have to hype it up to make it seem great so they can sell it.


The Hellmuth book I have is ... well, it's not complete garbage I guess, it's the first poker book I ever read, and gave me a bit of a foundation I suppose. But it's not very good. It's full of Ultimate bet promotional ****. Like some of the examples are "you're playing 5/10 limit holdem on UB".

"UB is the only site I'd ever play on, period."


Crap like that.



It's definitely useful if you run out of toilet paper I guess. I'd use my shirt before a 2+2 book.

I can't comment much on that book. I've skimmed it but not much new material. What I can say is about Hellmuth's videos:

2 years ago I bought his DVD series and Lederer's. ONE DVD by Lederer was 10 times as imformative as all 4 by Phil. About the same time too, as each Hellmuth video was 15 minutes and mostly him talking about himself.

Did I learn? NO. I bought from IAmplify his online "Hold Em Poker Blackbelt" series. MY GOD, he should be sued. First Chan and Brunson should be sued for saying it's the best thing out there (a lie, they must not have watched it). Second, it's ALL LIMIT HE. Nowhere in the advertisements did it say Limit HE. And third, each clip has time on it: Clip x is 2 min, 19 seconds right? Ok, first 40 seconds is kung fu music and slips of that. Then Phil comes on, talks about himself a bit, gives some generic advice and then 30 seconds of music to end it. yes, 1 minute, 10 seconds of EVERY clip is music.

but the worst example is his "reads". one clips is "Reads". After 40 seconds of video, Phil gets onscreen and says "ok, at this level you have to USE YOUR READS". that's it. that's the 'tip'. OMG, this really is theft. Did I just give that idiot money for nothing or what.

I feel like it's worse than the Nigerian email scams I get Outlook!

Generally it's a good idea to ignore a lot of those TV pro's book endorsements. Hellmuth, Chan & Brunson in particular have each all released a pretty awful book or two in their day. I understand other publishers trying to make a buck off of a celebrity, but the integrity of some of the celebrities themselves is a little questionable, especially the way some try to carry themselves as honest good guys.

At least here in these forums books are generally discussed by a lot of players of various experience levels.

Yeah, honestly you can never put too much weight in these testimonials...a lot of it is just good 'ol boy politics...you scritch my back and I'lla scritch yers.

One of the testimonials that comes to mind is Chip Reese's on Farha on Omaha, one of the worst poker books I've ever read:

"Poker players come in all shapes and sizes with many different styles. In pot-limit Omaha, Sammy Farha's style stands alone at the top of the mountain. --Chip Reese, winner of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2006 World Series of Poker and the player many consider to be the best high-stakes cash game player in the world.

To Chip's credit, he said nothing about the book itself...basically just said that Sammy has a unique style. I think 'ol Chip knew better than to stamp it as an authoritative book...and I would bet my meager bankroll he never read it. Still there are those that may see that and think Chip wholeheartedly endorsed it.

My point is that sometimes endorsements aren't even endorsements, just random quotes.

Play Poker Like the Pro's was the first poker book i ever read, and i agree, it is total and utter garbage. From memory he doesn't even discuss basic concepts like Pot Odds, all decisions made are just general decisions without any mathematical analysis.
After painfully making my way to the end of the book, i immediately removed the cover, and placed the remainder of the book on my toilet roll holder.

How much was the blackbelt course?

I'm against the lightweight caliber book that is mostly marketing and little substance, but it is a publishing reality. It's worth more to the publisher than the heart and soul of the non-celebrity or relatively unknown writer. Can't get around it.

I forget exactly. Probably $150. I still feel like suing the guy. SO missleading. But I agree that so many pros put out some quick hit book. Negraneau's new book is great, but his first one was crap. I buy nearly every book that comes out and damn, some are good, most give at least a point or two worth learning, but many are crap.

So, Farha on Omaha sucks huh? I bought both his and Hwangs. was going to read Hwang's first. Still will. Would have thought Sammy could provide some insight.

Havent' seen much on Vorhaus' Killer Poker books here (I'm new). But I have read 3 and all are excellant. Guy has a great writting style and gives good insight.

lol 150. ****ing robbed. Hellmuth robbed you.

I KNOW THAT. Don't "lol" me. I think I've mentioned Hellmuth is a thief already! I know I was ripped off. I'm trying to keep others from being ripped off. I should sue him!

lol sorry bout that. No return policy on that crap?

What was it anyway, books, dvd, what?



I was actually loling the price of 150, which is completely absurd.

The whole series of Hellmuth DVDs are free in our local library. Annie Duke's too. Not to mention Caro and Lederer but no Sklansky.