Harrington on Cash Games (Book Review - Part I)
I recently started reading the best book on poker I have read since I read the Harrington on Hold’em Series written by “Action” Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie. That book is, you guessed it, Harrington on Cash Games, Volume I written by “Action” Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie.
To a certain extent, the authors make an assumption that a majority of their readers are tournament players or players who have a knowledge of tournament play. In case the reader does not have this knowledge, it includes an introductory chapter to introduce the basics of poker play, but for most readers, its probably not a necessary chapter. I mention this because the authors are very meticulous about illustrating the differences between cash games and tournaments and go into great detail to explain the differences and fallacies that tournament players have about cash games. For me, this was extremely valuable information.
As a matter of fact, the first 15 pages of the book clearly demonstrates the great value this book can provide cash game players who can understand and apply principles. Within the first 15 pages, the authors discuss a hand played by Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, and Dan Harmetz during Season 3 of High Stakes Poker on GSN. Not only does the discussion delve deeply into how each player might have played the hand better, but it discusses the mindset of each player and what they were probably thinking at each betting stage.
For beginners, the actual nuts and boats of the discussion may be at a higher level than they can understand, but it definitely illustrates the type of thinking a player must have to be successful. For intermediate players, the discussion is simply fascinating and informative. For advanced players, it will provide a nice refresher and possibly identify holes in their games.
Later in the book, the authors provide illustrations on how a “tournament” player may play specific hands and why players with deep stakes my take advantage of their “tournament” mindset. It also discusses the differences between short-stack play, medium stack play, and big stack poker. All of these concepts are valuable.
I can hardly wait to continue my new education and I will update you all on other valuable information you may get from this book if I have not already convinced you to buy it as fast as you can.
Until next time,
KC
I’m very keen to add these to my own poker library as soon as I’m done with my current text.