MILLER, MALUTH, AND SKLANSKY - SMALL STAKES HOLD 'EM

_RECOMMENDED FOR___________________________________________________________

All low to medium fixed limit cash players, and MTT players looking to improve their cash game.

Don't judge a book by its cover.  Well in this case you can actually.  Small stake hold 'em is a mine field of idiotic play, and this book addresses the mentality and tactics you need to come out ahead long term.  It's by no means a beginner’s book, the reader should have a grasp of on ABC poker style at least, but most low limit players will find immense value in this book.

David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth are well known in the poker world, and they combine their efforts with the primary author of Small Stakes Hold’em, Ed Miller, who is virtually unknown. In order to correctly write an accurate book on low limits, the experience of someone who has risen through the ranks from the lowest level was a necessity. That’s where Ed Miller comes in.

The book is comprised of several distinct sections.  The first concentrates on basic poker concepts, like pot odds, implied odds, equity etc.  The next few are devoted to actual play, split into pre-flop, post-flop, and river plays. 

Everything you need is covered here, the importance of position is regularly hammered home, along with small pot and big pot concepts.

The final sections of the book are devoted to Questions and a quiz, allowing you to see how well you've understood the books concepts and tactics.  All the ideas from the book are covered, and it's an excellent addition.

The playing style is an aggressive 'don’t be tricky' kind of plan, where slow playing is discouraged, and the need to bet out on strong flops is explained.  Most players try and be too clever for the small stake game, where most players are passive calling stations or very loose aggressive.  The phrase “The definite guide to crushing loose and amateur opponents“, is used on the cover of the book, and aptly sums up the essentials of the book.

Small Stakes Hold’em is one of the best books written on how to play low limit poker against a large field of opponents that you will encounter today. The strategy suggested by Miller, Sklansky, and Malmuth can be easily applied to middle limits as well.  We recommend this book to most cash players, especially more successful tournament players looking to develop their cash game.

back to Poker Books