Jonathan Little's Excelling at No-Limit Hold'em: Leading poker experts discuss how to study, play and master NLHE

by Jonathan Little, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Sexton

Excelling at No-Limit Hold'em is a sensation in poker publishing. Renowned poker professional and author Jonathan Little brings together 17 of the greatest no-limit experts in the world to discuss all aspects of the game. These experts include superstars such as Phil Hellmuth, Chris Moneymaker, Mike Sexton and Jared Tendler. In Part 1 strategies are analysed for topics such as understanding the fundamentals, satellite play, lower-buy in events, analysing tells and moving up in stakes Part 2 sees a thorough technical breakdown of the game including sections on range analysis, game theory optimal play, short stack strategies, value betting and final table play. As any serious poker will confirm, the technical side is only half the battle and so Part 3 deals with mental toughness, psychology and understanding tilt. Excelling at No-Limit Hold‘em provides all the tools that an aspiring player needs to understand no-limit hold‘em. It is a must buy for anyone who is serious about wanting to improve their poker.

Genres: Nonfiction

635 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2015

Reviews

[iansomething · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poker is a hard way to make an easy living - Doyle Brunson

The luck is the cards you are dealt, but the skill is in the betting and how you play your cards.

Your main goal is to make the best, most profitable, decision you can every time the action is on you.

I found the theory on the mental game section has constructive information to better self improvement. Here were some key notes

- Stay focused on the current hand
- Prepare for the next street
- Each hand has a new opportunity to make good decisions
- Make good decisions
- Actively put people on hand ranges
- Concentrate on hand reading
- Practice reaming clam and focused
- Be in the zone

Poker is gruelling on the mind which can have detrimental backlashes which I’ve experienced countless times. The books features techniques you can develop to curb those thoughts and to have more control on your emotions to better your game.

Practice thought stopping and thought replacement

Problem talk creates problems.
Solution talk creates solutions.

Accept that the road to poker success is always under construction. You will make mistakes along the way - everyone does. Don’t let a mistake or a series of mistakes define you. Every failure is just information. Learn from it and move on.

Some positive affirmations for an aspiring pro to use

- I am a professional player. I accept and understand that variance makes the game profitable.
- I focus on every decision in every hand, enjoying playing to the best of my ability.
- Poker is a long term game, individual hands and sessions have no impact on my emotions.
- I love to play poker and enjoy every moment at the table.
- Study improves me as a player, and I enjoy increasing my edge
- I’m the casino: individual hands can win or lose, but my edge provides me with long term profit.

A great book with lots of insight from many different poker professionals. Recommend reading for any aspiring pro.

[Aiden Thumser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Little has put together one of the best books on current poker play. This book has had me re-reading it over and over. It is co-authoured by some of the best poker players in the world one such player being the great Phil Helmuth himself. This book covers almost every aspect of poker an intermediate player would need to know. This book has personally helped me improve my game and move up in stakes. I would recommend this book for anyone who has a good understanding of the fundamentals of poker and would like to move up and learn how to stay in the higher stake games.
This has been one of the best poker books I have read since the Harrington on poker books.

[Jared McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great book for any aspiring poker player. It covers a number of topics from tournament strategy, to cash game strategy, hand ranges, introduction to GTO and the mental game of poker. Each chapter is written by an accomplished poker who specializes in the topic you are reading about. It offers many different insights and perspectives for all kinds of unique situations you will encounter on the felt. Personally, enjoyed reading this and it's something you can revisit as well throughout your career.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and then reread each section to reinforce my game

[Anthony F. Cicali III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very in depth book with multiple ideas and perspectives

[Nicolaas Dekker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic book for people just getting into Live NLH, the game has progressed a lot since Solvers and whatnot, so "excelling" could be a stretch when trying to apply some things online.