[By Goal] Top 18 Recommended Poker Books! Read These If You Want to Win!

What would you think if I told you that just reading a book can make you better at poker?

Some might think there’s no way you can improve without playing, but actually reading books really will improve your poker.

This time, I’ve carefully selected recommended books that you can deepen your love of poker with, divided by beginner to advanced levels!

If you’re looking for recommended books, please use this as a reference!By the way, how to earn with online poker is covered in detail in the article below.

Also, if you think ‘I want to gain practical experience not just reading books,’ starting with KKPoker below is recommended.

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How to Choose Books That Let You Learn Poker That Suits You

First, let’s introduce books that let you learn poker that suits you.

Please use the selection tips introduced here as a reference to find the book that’s perfect for you!

Use as a reference!

Read carefully to the end and use it as a reference when choosing a book!

Since I’ll explain each one in detail, please use the selection tips introduced here to choose your book.

Matches Your Own Level

When choosing a poker book, choose one that matches your own level.

What do you mean?

It means be careful because beginners who read advanced books might not understand them!

Choosing a book at the level you want to learn is the shortcut to improvement.

This time we’re introducing recommended books by skill level, so please use them as a reference.

Covers What You Want to Learn

When buying a poker book, buy one that covers what you want to learn.

What kind of things for example?

Poker basics, techniques, mental game, situation — there are lots of points to choose from!

Think carefully about what you want to study before purchasing!

And in addition to reading these books, tips for improving are also summarized in the article ‘How to Get Strong at Poker?‘.

Furthermore, if you’re looking for a site where even beginners can safely accumulate practical experience, KKPoker below is recommended.

[For Beginners] Top 4 Recommended Books to Learn Poker Basics — Good Books

First, let’s introduce recommended books for beginners to learn poker.

Sounds like it’s for me.

That’s right! For Chip who just started poker, these are recommended!

Let’s look at them together.

Phil Gordon’s Poker: The Real Deal — Beginner’s Edition

Among poker books, one I recommend to beginners is ‘Phil Gordon’s Poker: The Real Deal — Beginner’s Edition.’

Perhaps many of you may have already read it.

Reading this book lets you acquire fundamental knowledge about poker.

However, the content is slightly specialized so it’s difficult to understand everything without reading it several times.

Read it over and over while learning the basics of poker.

Zero-Start Winning Poker (Casino Owner Teaches Texas Hold’em)

A book for learning basic content including common habits of beginners and casino manners is ‘Zero-Start Winning Poker.’

Since it covers the basics that true beginners need to know first, it’s perfect for people who have just started poker and don’t know left from right.

I might buy this.

For Chip who just started poker, it might be perfect!

If you’ve just recently started poker, why not pick it up?

Poker Classroom

An even more beginner/introductory-oriented book than the 2 introduced so far is ‘Poker Classroom.’

As you can imagine from the cover, it’s content for complete beginners who know nothing about poker.

The above basics that you absolutely must remember when playing poker are explained in an easy-to-understand way.

A notable feature is that you can learn about other poker variants like Omaha and 7-Card Stud in addition to Hold’em.

Recommended as a good book to read in the ‘state of knowing nothing about poker.’

Proven Right Decision-Making in Poker — From Zero Knowledge to Major Tournament Victory

A great book also selected as one of ‘The New York Times’ 100 notable books of 2020.’

Major media with worldwide prominence including The Washington Post have also praised it.

This book features female psychologist Maria Konnikova practicing poker to learn the interaction between luck and decision-making.

As a result, she produced the remarkable achievement of winning a major tournament from zero knowledge.

This isn’t about ‘amazing that a beginner succeeded’ — the achievement is that her ‘correct decision-making’ thought out as a psychologist was proven to actually work in poker too.

It’s particularly recommended for beginners in that it’s simply interesting as a read and lets you feel that success is possible from zero knowledge.

[For Intermediate Players] Top 3 Recommended Books to Learn Poker Strategy — Good Books

Next, let’s introduce books for intermediate players to learn poker.

What level is ‘intermediate’?

Someone who has the basics down to a certain extent!

Step Up Poker

Recommended for those who want to play games more strategically is ‘Step Up Poker.’

Reading this book lets you master playing poker mathematically.

Parts of the translation are slightly rough, but subtracting for that it’s still very educational content.

If you’re aiming to reach even greater heights from your current playing, pick up this book.

Ed Miller’s Exploit Poker

To learn playing that exploits the opponent’s weaknesses and mistakes, it would be ‘Ed Miller’s Exploit Poker.’

Some parts are difficult to understand without having basic play down, but it’s a must-have title if you’re aiming to level up from intermediate to advanced.

Sounds like an impressive book.

I think it’ll help you get better at psychological battles and that kind of fighting!

Please read this book to further level up your poker skills.

FBI Special Agent’s “Body Language” Psychology

In poker, it goes without saying that reading the opponent’s psychology from ‘their gestures’ is necessary.

This is a great book on techniques for reading psychology from gestures.

In the world of communication and psychology, there is a term called nonverbal communication.

This refers to ‘communication other than words.’

Communication through facial expressions, gestures, voice tone, and projected aura (hormones), etc.

In online poker, this kind of nonverbal communication is not very relevant.

However, in real poker it’s one of the most important skills.

This lets you read the opponent’s situation, or conversely misrepresent (deceive) your own situation to play the game advantageously.

This skill works not just in poker but in romance, work, and all human relationships in general.

It’s a renowned book applicable in every situation, so please pick it up!

[For Advanced Players] Top 4 Recommended Books to Learn Poker Mindset — Good Books

Now let’s introduce books recommended for advanced poker players.

For advanced players, beyond poker basics and playing discussion, the opponent’s psychology and your own mindset become important.

Thinking in Bets

‘Thinking in Bets’ is a book that can change your way of thinking about poker.

Apparently it has similarities not just to poker but also to investing, making it enormously popular among investors too.

It explains in detail the way of thinking about gambling and the way of thinking when viewing your poker life over the long term.

Sounds like a difficult book.

Not just advanced players — beginners and intermediate players might want to read it too!

Since you’ll develop a mindset for improving poker skills over the longer term, please do read it.

Phil Gordon’s Digital Poker

Famous as a book to learn HUD-driven poker playing is ‘Phil Gordon’s Digital Poker.’

The author who actually wrote this book is quite famous in the poker world, and you can learn a professional’s way of thinking in this one volume.

You can’t just play poker, can you.

Playing while watching numbers considerably improves your win rate!

If you have any interest in mathematical playing using probability and statistics, please do read it.

Poker and Game Theory

As the title suggests, this is the representative book on game theory in poker.

Game theory is a theory that treats the people or organizations appearing in a given theme as players and mathematically analyzes what kind of actions they will take.

Put simply, it considers all real-world problems like ‘shogi, chess, Othello, or Go.’

And it predicts that ‘since they operate by these rules, they will take such actions for their own benefit.’

This kind of thinking, which could also be called ‘simplification,’ is called game theory.

The representative ‘book applying that game theory to poker’ is this ‘Poker and Game Theory.’

The concept of game theory is one of the indispensable theories for mastering poker.

It can be said to be the best book for learning that game theory.

Aggressive Poker: Conquer the Tournament

As the name suggests, it’s ‘a book for surviving in tournaments.’

There are certain patterns in situations encountered in tournaments, and approaches (countermeasures) to those are presented.

Specific content explains, for example, equilibrium play and bubble factor.

Amazon reviews by advanced players also frequently say ‘great book,’ making it an essential title for players who want to climb higher.

The only drawback is that the translation is somewhat mechanical and slightly hard to read.

However, this is no problem for advanced players who can ‘fill in the gaps mentally.’

Top 4 Good Books to Learn Poker GTO In Depth

Poker Elite’s Open Secret

Hunter Cichy’s Poker Analysis: 3 Keys to No-Limit Hold’em

Particularly recommended for clarity of explanation is this book.

It’s explained in such concise language that even poker beginners to intermediate players can read it through without difficulty.

No-Limit Hold em for Advanced Players: Emphasis on Tough Games

This is written in English as it’s a foreign language book, but we introduce it as the content is outstanding.

Since it concretely explains fundamental parts of modern poker, in terms of level it’s also recommended for beginners to intermediate players.

Once you understand the 2 GTO books introduced so far, you’ll surely be able to read this one with interest — so please obtain it.

You’ll be able to understand the strategy for taking the opponent’s equity in a very deep and clear way.

Application of No-Limit Hold’em

For those who want to mathematically understand poker, this book is recommended.

The content is at introductory GTO level, but properly understanding it will certainly make you one level higher as a poker player.

It’s a voluminous book that may be a little hard to read, but if you’re going to seriously learn GTO, it’s a great book you want to keep on hand.

 [Bonus] Top 3 Poker Books by Japanese Authors — Good Books

Here we introduce 3 poker books written by Japanese people.

In recent years, the popularity of online poker has caused more Japanese people to play poker, and poker books created in Japan have also increased.

Since they’re created by Japanese people, many are easy to read and casual reads, which is characteristic.

Between Luck and Skill: How to Master the Imperfect Information Game

This book is a great book authored by Naoya Kihara — one of Japan’s most famous professional poker players.

There are quite a few poker players who say they’ve already read it.

It’s characterized by the fact that Kihara — a professional poker player who graduated from Tokyo University — reproduces his own thought process in writing without reservation.

Rather than learning poker strategy, it’s a book where you can learn the thinking of a professional poker player through Kihara’s journey so far.

Since it increases motivation toward poker, getting it as a read is recommended.

Tournament Poker Introduction: Basic Theory of Texas Hold’em

This is a book that lets you learn poker basics in a very easy-to-understand way.

It’s especially recommended for beginners who find foreign poker books hard to read.

The explanations are written very concisely, and many people also use it as an introductory book.

Although it says ‘introduction,’ key points important for beginners to intermediate players are condensed.

Of course it’s not content that only applies within Japan — it’s a great book packed with important information for competing with players worldwide.

Professional Poker Player: A Way of Living That Makes the Casino Your “Workplace”

This book is written by Jeisoru, who is also active as a YouTuber.

While strongly autobiographical, it’s also a great book where you can learn about the mindset for living as a professional in the poker world.

Packed with the routine for living as a professional poker player at overseas casinos, it’s exciting content.

Of course it’s a wonderful work not just for studying poker but also as a plain read.

If you’re interested in the world of poker, I’d recommend giving it a read.

Cautions When Reading Books That Teach Poker

Finally, let’s explain cautions when reading books that teach poker.

Are there cautions for reading books?

I’ll explain the parts you should absolutely follow!

If you’re thinking about reading books from now to improve at poker, please use this as a reference.

Read Repeatedly

Rather than shelving the book away after reading it once, read it over and over until you understand it.

Ugh, that’s a pain.

It’s a pain, and most people aren’t doing it — so that’s your chance!

There may be parts that are difficult and hard to absorb, but work hard to try to understand.

Apply to Actual Play

It’s meaningless to read a book but not be able to apply it to your own play.

Experiment yourself to be able to apply the content of the book to the game as much as possible.

That’s true.

When you become able to apply the books you’ve read, you can improve considerably!

Now there are many apps and platforms for online poker, so let’s play a lot and improve your poker skills.

As also introduced in the article on ‘Recommended Online Poker Apps & Sites,’ with ‘KKPoker’ — the most recommended online poker app — you can enjoy poker anytime anywhere!

Does “Sekai no Yokosawa” Have a Poker Book?

Masato Yokosawa — known as ‘Sekai no Yokosawa’ (Yokosawa of the World) — one of the people who helped spread poker in Japan.

There must be many people who, when reading poker books, want to read his book.

Here we summarize ‘Sekai no Yokosawa’s poker books.’

No Books or Recommended Book Lists Yet

As of August 2021, there are no poker books from Sekai no Yokosawa yet.

Searching ‘Yokozawa Masato’ under ‘Books’ on Amazon returns no results, as shown below.

Searching in katakana ‘Yokosawa’ produces the predictive keyword ‘Yokosawa Poker.’

Searching that returns ‘poker sets’ as shown below.

As you can see, at least on Amazon, no books are being sold at all.

Also, Sekai no Yokosawa has an official site ‘World Wide Yokosawa,’ but there are no books there either.

(T-shirts, hoodies, and other merchandise are amply stocked)

出典：World Wide Yokosawa

Also, at least among what comes up on the web, there isn’t even a ‘Yokosawa’s recommended list.’

Does Yokosawa Not Prioritize Learning from Books?

In an interview by a certain poker media, Yokosawa gave answers along the following lines:

Of course, this way of thinking is not ‘absolutely correct.’

Among other world top pros, there are many people who read through all books and research them, too.

In any world, top pros each have their own way, and in Yokosawa’s case ‘books are not particularly prioritized.’

Despite this level of popularity, one can speculate that such a background is also a reason why he hasn’t published books.

Though different from real play, online poker’s real-play experience is also important in gaining this kind of ‘learning that doesn’t rely on books.’

With KKPoker below, you can participate in high-prize-money tournaments even for free and experience high-level matches, so please check it out.

[Summary] Top 6 Recommended Books to Learn Poker by Goal

We’ve introduced 6 recommended books for learning poker — how was it?

We introduced them compiled by skill level, so purchase a book suited to your own skill level.

I’ll try reading from the beginner ones first.

That might be better for Chip!

Please read poker books and work hard to win more and more at poker.

And if ‘not just books but wanting to accumulate practical experience while suppressing risk,’ please try KKPoker — where you can participate in high-prize-money tournaments even for free!