Poker Books Every Beginner Should Read
If you’re just starting with poker, reading books written by poker experts is one of the best ways to build your knowledge. These books introduce players to essential concepts and help them avoid common mistakes that beginners often make. They provide clarity on rules, strategies, and poker psychology, all of which are necessary to improve your game.
Are Poker Books Still Worth It in 2025?
Poker books are still a good resource for studying in 2025. They offer a detailed & structured approach to learning poker. It also provides in-depth analysis and expert strategy in one place. Books are also a reliable source for improving because it’s often authored by well known experts in the field.
Top 5 Poker Books Every Beginner Should Read
Although Harrington on Hold’em Vol. 1 is designed for beginners, it’s also a valuable resource for intermediate players looking to enhance their tournament strategies. This book delves into core concepts like pot odds, implied odds, and post flop play, offering practical advice that can be applied to both small and large tournament fields. It’s the perfect guide for players who want to sharpen their decision making and increase their chances of success.
Top Review from Amazon:
No Limit hold’em, obviously, is a complex game. So complex that there has never been a good comprehensive treatment in a book form; I had thought that this was because it involves more “table feel”, experience and intuition that can’t be easily taught or expressed in a useful format.
Even though Master Micro Stakes Poker covers advanced concepts, Alton Hardin presents them in a beginner-friendly format. His clear explanations make complex ideas like pot odds, expected value, and bet sizing accessible to new players, helping them grow their poker knowledge step by step.
Top Review from Amazon:
Alton Hardin is very knowledgeable when it comes to poker. He also is an excellent teacher. This book is organized perfectly with how he introduces topics in a linear fashion, making learning way easier. I’ve only made it 1/2 of the way through, and I think what I have read is worth the price of the book alone. If you are struggling to win consistently, or have leaks in your game, this is a perfect book to read. What I also love about it is it’s applicable to online and in person poker. Bottom line is Alton Hardin gives you everything you need to succeed and more, in an easy to learn, detailed manner.
Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker breaks down the core principles of poker theory in an accessible way. The book explains key topics like expected value, pot odds, and the importance of position, all of which are fundamental for making smarter, more profitable decisions during poker hands.
Top Review from Amazon:
Sklansky’s Theory of Poker is no longer the newest book on advanced poker thought, but it remains required reading for both the average and the more experienced player. While some of the specific hand-analysis and tactical advice has been updated or superceded by more recent and also excellent books by the likes of Harrington or Gordon, the basic concepts do not change, and Sklansky is an insightful analyst, as well as an excellent teacher. The attentive reader will find his time and thought well rewarded.
How to Study Poker Volume 2 is a practical guide designed for players who are ready to take their game seriously. Sky Matsuhashi emphasizes the importance of reviewing hands, understanding poker concepts deeply, and using poker tools to speed up the learning process.
Top Review from Amazon:
If you were like me several months ago you would buy the newest poker book out there and finish it in a week or 2 and add a few new things to your game and go onto the next book. Not anymore after reading Sky’s 1st book “How to Study Poker Volume 1” I have used the techniques to work on my game in a new and better way and i am blown away by how much I am learning.
In Essential Poker Math, Alton Hardin explains the fundamentals of poker math in a clear and straightforward manner. The book is ideal for beginners who want to develop a solid understanding of how math can influence their betting decisions and overall poker strategy.
Top Review from Amazon:
I really like this book overall. I think it is fantastically well-written for the range of players with different levels of experience. I personally have played poker since I was a little kid but never took the time to actually study the math of poker. I simply based all my decision on intuition and my reads on the people I played with. I am what Hardin refers to as an incomplete poker player. I’m actually quite thankful and grateful that Hardin allowed me to realize this for myself.
