Internet Texas Holdem

by Matthew Hilger

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Reviewer: Kaycee7

If you were to look at my dog-eared copy of “Internet Texas Hold’em” by Matt Hilger, you’d think that it was a well-used university text book. It is laden with notes in the margin, post it notes (also dog-eared) and yellow hi-lighter blazing from almost every page. Were it not for this book I think that my internet poker career would have been short lived and very, very expensive.

This book, while very specific to full table limit games, is a fantastic base for all internet players. It’s easy to read, even for the absolute beginner (which I was when I read it). Things are laid out in plain English, and if there is any poker slang used, it is defined in a very complete glossary of terms at the end. It didn’t take me long to be discussing gut shots, open enders and sets.

Matt has laid out probably the most concise and specific starting hand chart I’ve ever seen. He tells you what to play with regards not only to position but the number of other callers in the pot. When I first started I photocopied these two pages, and had them laminated (lol). They really helped me to understand the theory behind what hands to play, when to play them and what they were really worth. I don’t use these laminated pages now because I am predominantly a no limit player but they wouldn’t let you down if you stuck to them as a limit player.

The book is put together in a very logical way. It moves from starting hands, through the flop, the turn and finally the river. I am particularly thankful for the definition of the different flop types and what that means for my hand. Hilger also gives some great insights about what to do with your holdings on each street. He likes his percentages and gives you odds and percentages for just about everything- if you like that sort of thing (and for some reason, all the good poker players seem to! lol)

Now don’t get me wrong. Hilger’s book doesn’t hand it to you on a silver platter. It is not the magic poker elixir that is going to get you rich quick. It requires time and practice to educate yourself with this book and at the end of every chapter there are problems to work through. I found these practice problems very helpful although I have to admit it would have been better if the answers were on a different page as it was way too easy to cheat, look at the answer and then praise myself for being so astute with my responses.

Hilger also lets explains some of the less exciting stuff in the life of the internet poker pro such as bankroll management, how to choose your site and your game, player analysis and the very sad chapter on the realities of playing for a living. (and I though it would be so very easy!!)

So, all this is to say, if you want to play poker online, there is no question that your poker library should include Matt Hiliger’s, “Internet Texas Hold’em”. And it should be dog-eared, post it noted and well read, for this is a great tool for improving your online game.

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