Main Entry Point into the World of Serious Poker

Doyle Brunson's Super System has become the main entry point into the world of serious poker. Almost everyone who plays poker for money - either at home games, card parlors or casinos - is familiar with this book. Since television coverage has focused on Hold'em Poker, its popularity has exploded and a herd of new players have rushed to the tables. Now everyone knows who Doyle Brunson is, and nearly everyone has read his books; this one and Super System II.

Some of the newer players have been successful and, with the aid of books like Super System, have become serious threats to the old guard. However, most people don't realize just how complex a game poker really is. Some poker pros have spent months or even years setting up their marks, letting them win at first and then gutting then like fish. There is a lot more to poker than at first meets the eye.

One can only wonder how much of Doyle Brunson's publications and public pronouncements are well laid foundations for new conquests. Those who point out that Dolly had not won a major tournament in a long time (until just recently) need to appreciate that finishing in the money consistently can bring home a lot more bacon over the long haul than will an isolated win or two.

As to the content of Super System: it is filled with good information. It is more a series of essays than a textbook or primer. Its sheer popularity makes it an essential read. However, Super System (and Super System II) need to be supplemented with solid background materials. Not just books like Sklansky's "Theory of Poker" or "Caro's Book of Poker Tells" but also some serious math material like Epstein's "The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic" and Thorp's "The Mathematics of Gambling" and even some lighter material like "How to Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like a Chicken".

Other gambling materials are also relevant to poker, even though they are not about poker per se. Books that contain poker stories, both fiction and nonfiction, often contain valuable lessons. Doyle will be the first to tell you that the truth is often stranger than fiction.

Good Book-Extremely Outdated

At the time of its publication it was a cutting edge book which was the best of its time. I believe Doyle Brunson is an extremely talented poker, however for today's player I feel that the book is of little use to the serious player. The information it contains is usefull, now just more commonly known. The reason for its importance at the time of its publication was the many charts showing statistics which had not before been this well organized. Nowadays all of these charts are available on the internet and easily accessable. I think it is worth reading only for the history behind it. As far as learning from it I feel you can find all of the usefull information on the internet. Read it only for the history and incite of one of poker's best.

Not for Friday night boozing with your buddies

This is nice reading but if you are interested in learning some strategies for you poker game against you buddies on Friday night, this isn't for you. If you are going to be playing in tourneys against strong players, then read it. He has some unique strategies which will steal you some pots.