Is "The Course" still definitive, or no longer all that relevant?
It's been a while since I bought a poker book. Those dozen or so I own, I've thoroughly read and re-read over the past 20-ish years. But they were all written before the advent of solvers. I think the most recent publish date was 2008.
I haven't read "The Course" yet, and was thinking about picking it up, having seen it recommended widely on this site. If I'm right in guessing that this thread's OP was the author, Ed Miller, I'm inclined to go for it.
But I was just listening to an episode of the Thinking Poker podcast, titled "Everything I Need to Know About Poker, I learned in the Last Two Years" (from November 2023). The point made in the podcast was that over the past few years, solvers have changed so much about how the game is played that everything which came before now seems antiquated.
It got me wondering if "The Course" first published in 2015, is still relevant, and still viewed as being the definitive text on crushing live low stakes, or if it's now viewed as being out-of-date knowledge, no longer applicable to today's game.
Is it still worth the investment, or are there other books that have superseded it? The only thing holding me back is the $50 price tag and the fear that the concepts within are past their sell-by date.
Not sure what implications there are for me post-flop, other than betting until someone raises, which echoes advice I've heard from other players.
The main implication is that if you are playing "too many" hands pf, you put yourself in a situation where you are going to be unbalanced post flop. If you play tight post flop, villains can exploit you by betting at you with two napkins since their bet will automatically be profitable. If you play loose, you're going forward with the worst hand too much which makes calling you down profitable.
The main implication is that if you are playing "too many" hands pf, you put yourself in a situation where you are going to be unbalanced post flop. If you play tight post flop, villains can exploit you by betting at you with two napkins since their bet will automatically be profitable. If you play loose, you're going forward with the worst hand too much which makes calling you down profitable.
That makes sense.
I would use books for a general structure of how to play, but you need to develop strategy on your own especially with how exploitable live games are. Furthermore most of the big winners aren't writing books - they're playing poker and making a lot of money, so take these books with a grain of salt. In the end when you play a hand you need to analyze afterwards yourself and be open to all options - why did I raise here, why is calling better than folding here, etc. Self reflection is how you improve - you can posts hands on here but the majority of opinions aren't correct.
I would use books for a general structure of how to play, but you need to develop strategy on your own especially with how exploitable live games are. Furthermore most of the big winners aren't writing books - they're playing poker and making a lot of money, so take these books with a grain of salt. In the end when you play a hand you need to analyze afterwards yourself and be open to all options - why did I raise here, why is calling better than folding here, etc. Self reflection is how you imp
Yes. I'm reading a book to improve the general structure of how I play. I think trying to develop a completely unique strategy all our own is probably not what you're really suggesting. Is it?
I devour a ton of online content related to improving my game. I still think there's value in reviewing some more long-form content, with more in-depth explanations behind the advice being given. If a book is widely considered to be outstanding, I don't see how it can hurt to give it a read.
That doesn't mean I'm letting myself off the hook, refusing to self-reflect or do post-hand analysis. It means I'm looking for reliable benchmarks to use when doing that analysis. Asking why I raised or folded in a vacuum seems less useful than having a point of reference which says why we should raise or fold in those situations.
Don't waste your time engaging with that guy.
For those critizing his opening ranges from EP, yes it's a litle wide
I think it was something like all PPs, all suited Aces. AQo+, suited broadways, and SCs like 78s+ which is a little wider than you see typically these days (and what GTO suggests), but:
a) It's not crazy wide
b) He himself says you can adjust it.
c) He advocates it from EP ---> HJ, for simplicity, so it's likely too wide in EP, and possibly too tight in HJ
For those critizing his opening ranges from EP, yes it's a litle wide
I think it was something like all PPs, all suited Aces. AQo+, suited broadways, and SCs like 78s+ which is a little wider than you see typically these days (and what GTO suggests), but:
a) It's not crazy wide
b) He himself says you can adjust it.
c) He advocates it from EP ---> HJ, for simplicity, so it's likely too wide in EP, and possibly too tight in HJ
It could be wider than that, and it still wouldn't be as wide as I've opened sometimes.
(Cue the angry mob yelling at me for being such a world class donk.)
I think Miller openly admits it wasn't his goal to move up in stakes or otherwise attempt to become known as one of the best players in the world. I think his goal was simply to crush low stakes live games, which is also my main goal.
I don't think there's anything wrong with being happy as a winning low stakes player. I'm perfectly content to continue playing 1/3 and 2/5 so long as I'm not burning cash doing it.
The best way to get better at higher stakes is to go make a ton of money. Plenty of people without a clue are wowed by the high stakes players but they're often only good and aggressive because they have family money or a few have a high level job.
the book will help you think about range construction and defense frequency. i say skim that and take a look at 'play optimal poker' by andrew brokos.
i know its not what you are asking about but still i want to recommend some contents from W34z3l from red chip poker.
the book will help you think about range construction and defense frequency. i say skim that and take a look at 'play optimal poker' by andrew brokos.
i know its not what you are asking about but still i want to recommend some contents from W34z3l from red chip poker.
I didn't ask for alternative book recos, but they're still welcome. I may also check that one out. Thanks!
