The Complete Book of HoldEm Poker: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing and Winning

Paperback: 313 pages
Publisher: Lyle Stuart Hardcover

The information in the book is invaluable. If you're a poker player, the advice within it will surely make you a winning player. If you're already a winning poker player, you'll become a better one.

A few other poker players mentioned how poorly the book flows. It's true, but this book isn't meant to be a fun or light read. Think of it as a poker textbook. You will work on small sections at a time. Eventually, you'll learn the skills that Gary Carson thoroughly covers.

If you've watched the World Series of Poker or World Poker Tournament on television and are thinking about venturing into the poker world, this isn't a bad book to get you over the hump of becoming a player who wins consistently over the long haul.

If you are just beginning to play Texas holdem poker seriously at the casino or on the internet, this book will take your poker game to the next level. He starts you out as a poker beginner and takes you to an advanced level. After I read it, I began to win consistently. I knew what to do on the flop, on the turn, and on the river. I wasn't guessing and hoping anymore. It is one great poker book. I suggest everyone read this book first.

While it doesn't go into depth on each of the topics covered in the book, it really is a "complete" book, meaning it touches on all aspects of the game.

Unlike some other poker books, this one reads like it was written by a writer, rather than a poker player. It is very clear and concise and even the mathematics is very clearly explained.

Carson deals with poker on a much broader scale than most books I've read. Poker is a very situational game, requiring that play be constantly adapted to the changing conditions. Instead of Carson provides a rote-like "When the table's like this, play like this," he provides the reader with the tools to make those decisions on their own.

There is also an excellent chapter on playing in Brick & Mortar casinos that should shore up the confidence of even the meekest poker player.