The 5 Best Books for Learning Poker Tournament Strategy in 2019

If you’re standing still, you are moving backwards. You have to remember that your opponents (most of them) are continuously working on their game. If you want to win, you have to make efforts to improve your skills and knowledge more than they do. To help you transform your game and bring your “A” performance every time you play, we have come up with a list of five most outstanding poker books ever written that every player should read at least once in their lifetime.

“The Poker Mindset” by Matthew Hilger and Ian Taylor

This 2007 gem is treated by many poker players as the poker bible, in particular when it comes to the subject of game psychology. Many novice players forget or do not realize how important is working on their attitude towards the game. Matthew Hilger and Ian Taylor have presented some mind-blowing information in this book about the importance of a positive approach while playing. Both authors have been associated with the poker industry for many years and have many successes on their account.

“The poker mindset” will help you understand how to read opponents, manage bankroll properly, understand variance, and prepare yourself emotionally and psychologically to deal with bad beats and avoid ‘tilt”. The book suggests a number of methods to spot the common mistakes that are preventing you from achieving success at the game tables. This book is a necessary item for all players (not just poker!) to understand the psychological part of a game.

“Moorman’s book of poker” by Chris Moorman

Chris Moorman, the author of the book, is a well-known online poker player who has over $11 Million in online cashes and $4 Million in live cashes. In the book, he reviewed a total of 80 hands played in online tournaments by his friend and co-author of the book — Byron Jacobs. Moorman carries out a thorough analysis of each hand and draws conclusions from the mistakes committed by Byron Jacobs. After reading this book, you will know how to carefully analyze your game and find out the best way to deal with adverse situations in the game.

“Ace on the river” by Barry Greenstein

Barry Greenstein is one of the most respected poker players in the world. He has included many timeless tips in this book that every poker player should follow religiously. You will also find a lot of guidelines on the psychology of the game, bankroll management, and the characteristics of an ideal poker player. The cherry on the top — the 2011 Poker Hall of Famer also shares the story of his life as a player and his experiences at the live Poker Tournament tables. It is a worthwhile read for every aspiring poker player who wants to learn about the importance of self-assessment and discipline in the game.

Power Hold ’em Strategy by Daniel Negreanu

Power Hold ’em Strategy by legendary player Daniel Negreanu is one of the most popular poker books of all time. It is a multi-author book in which top-notch poker players like Evelyn Ng, Todd Brunson, Paul Wasicka, Eric Lindgren, David William, etc have shared their perspectives and practical tips to play specific hands and techniques which are applicable to every variant of Hold ’em. The book contains lots of examples in the form of drawings and graphics. Negreanu has also shared his “Small Ball” Poker Tournament Strategy about how to play poker small pots, limit risks, and develop strategies on the basis of position and bet sizes. This is a must-read book for every poker enthusiast who wants to learn the game beyond the basics and become a successful tournament player.

The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky

This book is a real Poker’s dictionary. The Theory of Poker, in up to 25 chapters (and two bonuses), contained all the essential information about psychology, probability concepts, game theory, bluffing, semi-bluffing, etc that every poker player should know before he starts playing tournaments with real money. This book is a pure summary of years of research and experience, written in a schoolbook manner. It may not attract at first sight, but we assure you that the examples, concepts, and theories discussed in the book will definitely help you understand the fundamentals of poker and take your game to a higher level.