Very Good if you understand what is being said

Hellmuth's book was the first book I've read. Since then, I've read Brunson's and Slansky's. I took this strategy to a low limit game, and it worked well when I was playing GOOD players. I could bluff and take pots because my table image was tight. When I got into tables where people played loose and called everything down, it was over (i.e. low limit games). I got slaughtered. However, I really reccommend this book if you play tournaments. This book really will get you KILLED if you 1) play low limits, or if 2) you don't understand what is being said in this book.

It really pays to be aggressive. Betting is your most powerful tool, after folding. The key here though is SELECTIVE aggression. Being aggressive wins you your lions share of uncontested pots, and increases your odds of taking down pots because it increases the chances of going heads heads up in a pot with someone (by virtue of betting everyone out), where you can proceed to destroy them, or fold if you sense they're strong.

I think the reason why some players didn't like this book is because they're misinterpreting what agressive means. Its very EASY to learn how to be aggressive, but selective aggressiveness is DIFFICULT to learn. Being aggressive just means raising all the time. Being selective means knowing when to raise, and knowing when to FOLD and back off when sensing strength. The ability to know when to back off is a reading ability, but this can be learned, but is only learned through EXPERIENCE.

Like Hellmuth says, you NEED to play in order to make this book useful. Experience gives you the understanding of two key ingredients to winning poker: 1) selective aggressiveness and 2) understanding the importance of table image. Get the experience, and keep referring to this book, and it'll all make sense eventually.

Not just a book, but an investment.

My exposure to Texas Hold'me having been watching it on ESPN2, I found myself at a 27-man tournament. For two weeks prior, I had done nothing but read the beginner and intermediate strategies in this book. I took notes, I highlighted passages, and, oh yeah, I took first place. Why? Because Phil's advice works. Who am I really going to listen to? A bunch of guys here on Amazon, or someone who's won seven WSOPs? Exactly.

A common complaint I see is that he doesn't tell you what to do on the turn or the river. Well, in fact, he does. If you're a sloppy reader, you might miss it. But for top ten hands, small pairs, K-Q, A-x suited, and suited connectors he explains how to play them pre-flop, post flop, on the turn and on the river. I mean, if you can't figure out pot odds and that if you've made it to the river you should probably call, then you might not be that good a poker player.

Anyway, I see a lot of reviews for people who delved into the book winning a fair amount of money. Then I see a lot of whiners who don't like his "arrogant"(?) style, and they review it poorly. Sorry for the hurt feelings, ladies, but Poker is a man's game. Anyway, the anecdotes are relevant, they illustrate the point he's tryiung to make, and they're very interesting, to boot.

Loved it, took first place, won seven-hundred dollars, and can easily say it's worth the money. Period.

This Book = $$$

I bought it yesterday at Barnes and Noble, and it has already helped me play better. I've already made $30 + online by combining some of the Limit Hold'em advice with his NL Hold'em strategy. There could have been some more strategies for online play, but this book is great!