Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Cardoza Pub; 2nd edition (December 1, 1995)
Written for beginning and intermediate players, this book shows how to play and win Texas Holdem, the most popular of the poker variations and the rage in card rooms and private games across the country. Numerous charts, tables, and examples help with explanations and analyses. 35 charts, 10 line drawings.
I read a couple other, more expensive, introduction books to Texas Holdem before I picked up this one. I found this book went into a bit more detail and was a lot less rigid than some books that tell you to play a certain hand the same way every time. This book offers advice from what two cards you should be playing with at Texas Holdem down to specific strategies that any good Texas Holdem player should be aware of such as the free card and check-raising. Also, Warren offers solid tips on playing each segment of the hand, spending time on the flop, the turn, and the river. I also really enjoyed the mathematical aspects of playing Texas Holdem. This is a must know for anyone who is going to win at Texas Holdem in the long run. He covers pot odds and implied odds so you will know when you should be calling on a draw or when it is not worth it.
I also really enjoyed the little anecdote side of this book. Warren included things from his experience playing in live Texas Holdem games. Things like who makes a good Texas Holdem opponent based on their appearance and when you might want to tease someone and flash one of your hole cards at them. Also is a pretty cool history lesson on Texas Holdem and nicknames for many of the common hands.
I think this book is a must read for a beginning Texas Holdem player and then move on to something like Holdem Poker for Advanced Players by Sklansky and Malmuth. You will enjoy this book and it is definitely worth the money.