Super System 2 (Doyle Brunson)
Super System 2
by
Doyle Brunson
-All popular forms of casino poker explored
-Mostly suited for intermediate and advanced players
-Our rating: 89 (out of 100)
Overview
This sequel to the highly acclaimed
original Super System is written by 10-time WSOP bracelet
winner
Doyle Brunson, who is arguably still the best poker player
around. The original was published almost 30 years ago and was
almost called How I Made $1,000,000 Playing Poker. It has
been dubbed by many "The Bible of Poker" and holds true to form with updated
sections in this follow-up written in 2004.
The section on Doyle's favorite game
no-limit Hold'em, what he calls the "Cadillac of Poker", remains the
same while Doyle contributes a short autobiography and looks at
recent evolutions of the game. Each lengthy chapter features a
different game written by a different expert. Poker pro contributors
include names like Daniel Negreanu (Triple Draw) and Todd Brunson
(Stud Hi-Lo), Doyle's son-turned-professional-poker-player.
Topping in at, I believe, about 700
pages it isn't unreasonable to call this book the Bible of Poker and
features some in-depth strategy on all popular forms of poker played
today. While Hold'em only comprises a couple of sections you'll get
some brilliant insight from a legend that is most suited for live cash
games.
Comments
If you're into mixed games, especially
at the medium-to-high stakes, Super System 2 is
truly a gem. You'll rarely find a book about Triple Draw or other
niche games, so varied players will get a lot of value out of this
book. Hold'em players might be disappointed with only the two
sections devoted to fixed limit and no-limit. Plus, Doyle himself
only writes the no-limit section.
Also, I recommend that beginner's beware
of Doyle's no-limit advice. It's basically a how-to guide on
aggressive poker, which he himself has perfected. However, you
should realize that he's writing from a huge cash game perspective.
He has an awesome and unpredictable style but you can't sign onto an
online table and expect to dominate the competition like he does at
high-stakes private tables in Vegas. If you play in live ring games for decent
stakes, you might consider adopting this style of play. However, some
of his insights were great reading even from a mainly online player.
However, beyond the aggressive pre-flop
style dictated by Brunson that may not be as easily executed in
current-day poker that thrives on blind aggression and loose play,
he provides timeless advice for reading your opponent's holdings
after the flop. Specific starting hands such as pocket Aces, Kings,
small pocket pairs, and suited connectors are discussed with advice
on how to continue with various types of flops.
Finally, if you're interested in Doyle's story at all
Super System 2 is a good read. I have the collector's edition
from playing at
Doyle's Room
so I don't know if it's different than the paperback, but it
includes an autobiography on how he got into poker and really
popularized the game with his fellow Texan partners such as Amarillo
Slim Preston. It's definitely good
stuff for poker buffs. By the way, if you want the collector's
edition free from his sponsored site you can use promo code "STW110B"
at signup.
Score
Out of 100, I give Super System 2 an
89. Hold'em players might be a little let down and online players
shouldn't duplicate this style, but it's a must-have for any serious
poker player. If you play mixed games you can't do much better and
the post-flop Hold'em advice is still as relevant as ever. Beginners
should be cautioned to perhaps begin their poker education with a
simpler and less advanced guide as this text is best suited for
intermediate and expert players.
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