Dan Harrington

Brunson's Super System is widely regarded as the poker Bible, but I'd recommend this book over Super System for the player who knows the basics, is already pretty good, and is looking to get better. It's well organized, balancing discussion of strategy with examples of specific hands, and is interesting from cover to cover. Super System covers other poker games in more detail than I was interested in. For NL Hold'em players, this is the one to read. (Doyle's got better anecdotes though.)

Once you have a solid limit understanding, it's time for no-limit and tournaments. These books provide great no limit tournament strategy in a really easy to read style (a heck of a lot easier than Sklansky). There are two volumes here but most people tell you to read the second one. I liked the first one a lot and, since they are a two part series (v1 is about early and mid tourney play, vII is about late tourney play) you shouldn't overlook it. After I finished the second one, I cashed in show more two straight public casino tourneys and went on a tear online. Good news, there's a third volume on the way. show less

Another terrific poker touranament book by Harrington. Couple this with Volume 1 of the series, study it (and volume 1), employ the strategies you learn there and you will be better prepared than 75-80% of the players you will meet in the next local tournament you enter. That doesn't mean you will win of course, but you will be ready and have a shot at the gold.

This book did more for my pocketbook and my understanding of how improve my play in poker tournaments that any other single book on the topic I have read.