Rating: 
Summary: Works for me
Review: It seems many of the reviewers are having trouble separating their disdain for Phil's antics and ego from the way his book teaches poker. I'm a fairly beginner poker player who is pretty good at reading other people and players. After reading this book, I have not left a low-limit table down money once, which is the entire point behind his theory on beginner strategy (I'm speaking entirely of hold-em, haven't focused on other games). Is his thinking entirely correct? In some cases, no. But he openly acknowledges that poker is a game of feel, and to write a "playbook" on what to do in every scenario would be foolish and impossible. That being said, I found his "animal" characterizations of player types, though a little silly and simplistic, very helpful in giving me a context or mental ladder for me to easily sort players at the table. Within 10 minutes of playing tight and aggressive, while observing other players play, I've found that I'm usually able to peg the under cards of 6-7 of the 8 players at the table. How many of those players I'd be able to peg without reading the book, who knows, but I do think about the player types in similar terms to how Phil analyzes player moves. The other benefit of his "tight and aggressive" beginner strategy is that, even as a rookie, I've found that it enables me to develop a table presence that I might not have otherwise. This is the key: if I only played top ten hands literally to Phil's beginner strategy, you might be right, I'd become predictable. But if you're a least a little better than the average Rounders-inspired schmo, you can use the table presence you've established to bluff off weaker players and semi-bluff your way to big pots. Pretty simple in low-limit, lesser sophisticated games. I can't say I'm qualified to review the book relative to the merits of its application to higher money games. Lastly, I also like the way he provides numerous options for each scenario in a very concise and understandable format. Very quick to read and understand. Again, if you're looking for a playbook, this isn't it. If you're looking for some solid principles that you can combine with your other learning and your natural ability, this is a good read. Just accept the fact that Hellmuth has a massive ego and don't let it distract you from what he's trying to say. Although it is heavy on self-adoration, I did not find that it distracted from the lessons in the book. And heck, if I won as many tournaments as he had, I'd probably be positioning myself this way also. You have to realize that while much of his perceived hubris might be real, a good portion of it is simply solid marketing. Dennis Rodman's fame didn't come from simply being a good defensive sub. Like it or not, he's made money off of being a pain in the arse. Same with Phil.
Rating:
Summary: Hellmuth Will Help New Players!!!!!
Review: I feel that Phil Hellmuth's book will help new players learn the basics of poker and give them strategies that they may consider using in live games. Hellmuth's book will not be of much use to advanced players, but it is a good place to start if you are just learning the game or if you have just played for fun in the past and want to improve your overall understanding of the game. I think that Phil Helmuth did a great job on this book and it should be read by any aspiring poker player.
Rating: 
Summary: This Has Helped Me
Review: I received three books as presents from my lovely wife Allana. She wants me to pick up poker or craps as my game and stay away from the slots. This book did help me get a clear picture of what it takes to play poker but I feel it didn't go into enough depth.
Rating:
Summary: OK but Sketchy
Review: Aside from his constant bragging, Mr. Phil's authorial "voice" is pleasant and he conveys information fairly well. He often gives the player a choice of strategic approaches to a situation and that is honest because there are various approaches that will work. His top-ten-only strategy is labeled as a beginner's strategy and will help the beginner stay alive while he learns.
The biggest problem I have with the book is that it covers too much ground too shallowly. It would have been much better had he stuck to, say, no-limit Holdem tournaments. Also, his player types are too sketchy. There isn't enough detail.
There are one or two situations where I have the temerity to flat disagree with his analysis but I could well be wrong on those.
Rating: 
Summary: For Beginners and Mid level Player a must have.
Review: I did not know anything about Texas Hold'em before this book. I read on week before going to Shrevport. I won 160 dollars in 5 hours. I just played the top ten hands and limped in with marginal hands when i had position. True when i jumped in alot of people folded and that was fine with me becuase alot of people tried to limped in before the flop but i would not let them. However there was always one or two I was able to get action from betting on a draw and of course the majority of the time they would lose. Then I played in 2 games with 6 other friends and won 100+ each time. I think it is a good book easy to read for beginners. I also feel I had definate advantage over my friends (beginners) that have not read it. One guy I know (thats claims to play no limit games for years) I consistently beat. I really like the book alot. I have read the Texas hold em section a few times. I spent around 15 dollars on his book and won over $300 hundred in my first 3 games. If I learn nothing else from his book, I think it was a good investment. I know what cards are good, marginal and risky.
I think that is the most important part. (I surely dont think anyone would have told me) Of course get more konwledge from other players. Take advice from many players and customize your own style. Thats what it is all about. I am reading TJ Cloutier's book now. Beginner a must buy.
Intermediate players I think it will make your game better. (for 15 dollars, You cant beat the price)
If you have been playing for alot of years dont buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: This book helps Hellmuth (not you) make money
Review: Hellmuth is certainly an accomplished tournament player. However, his tallent must truely be otherworldly to overcome his ego. The book deals almost exclusively with examples of how successful Hellmuth is, and is extremely light on the "mechanics" of improving play for the beginning or intermediate player. Likewise, advanced and expert players will find little of value here. Considering Hellmuth's well-documented ego and contempt for "lesser" players (watch/read about any major tournament in which he makes an early exit), the one redeeming quality about the book is that it reads like a talk straight from the horse's mouth--if there was a ghostwriter, he did an admirable job of capturing Hellmuth's hubris.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect book for Texas Hold'em beginners
Review: This was the third Hold'em book I had read, and by far the easiest to read and comprehend. I've been playing for 4 years in home games, but it wasn't until I read this book that I knew what starting hands I wanted to play, why, and how to play them. For those wanting to play in the low-limit casino poker games, or home games where everyone calls you down, then this is a great book. It teaches you to play "super-tight" and tells you what hands are the best to play for those situations. It also teaches you how to categorize your players and helps you put a read on what they have by how they made their bets and when. I've started trying to guess people's hole cards before they turn them over and they are shocked how often I'm right. My game has completely turned around because of this book. In fact, I played in a No-limit tourney at Caesar's Indiana in September and finished in 2nd place out of 50 players and took home $1434.50 by using much of his strategy in his book (though when you watch him play on TV, you see he plays much more aggressive) His No-limit/Pot-limit section builds on his limit strategy and adds more playing hands, and other hands that advanced pros play, how they can give you an edge, and how they can take you to the felt. Sure Phil Helmuth is the biggest baby in professional poker, but he writes a very fluid, easy to read, and understand poker book. I can't comment on the other games he writes about because I'm only interested in Hold'em.
Rating:
Summary: Works for me!
Review: The other reviewers need to get a grip. Phil Hellmuth IS great and "it ain't braggin' if it's true". I am making money using advice primarily from this book, Brunson's book, and Mike Caro's Book of tells. If you are a beginner, buy all three.
Rating:
Summary: A complete waste of time.
Review: If you are interested in improving your poker game, then do not get this book! I found this book to be a complete waste of time. The majority of the book was Phil trying to inflate is already large ego. The basis of Phil's book is to only play the top 10 hands. In his opinion you'll win more than you'll learn. But in reality within a few hours everyone will have pinned you on what you play and you'll get no action when you do go in. Phil advises you to be "tight and aggressive", but gives nothing to demonstrate how you should do this. He gives little information on post flop play and practically ignores fourth and fifth street play. I found virtually nothing useful in this book. My advice is do not buy this book!! You'll only be sorry you did. Try any of David Sklansky's books instead, you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: i agree with the rest...
Review: i have no problems with this book per say. all of this advice is solid, especially for someone entering a casino for the first-time and doesn't want to lose a bundle. problem is phil makes his living playing no limit and most of the good strategies there don't translate to the limit games most of us amateurs. he goes into detail about how to bet pre-flop but is a bit skimpy on how to play 4th street and the river. if you want a great poker tutorial, read anything by sklansky.
| 
