Internet Texas Holdem by Matthew Hilger

A few weeks ago I was in Barnes And Noble Bookstore and I had the books Internet texas Holdem and I believe the other was Winning Low Limit Holdem by Lee Jones. I have read Play Like The Pro's. I had these 2 books in my hands and as I got to the cash register, at the last moment, I changed my mind and put both books back on the shelf and walked out of the store.

Why? Because I realized overall I am a winning player and I feared that if i read either of the books, I might start doing things that would decrease my profits. Yes, I have swings, but overall I play winning Holdem. If I get a book, whether Matthew's or anyone else, is it possible that it could hurt my play in some way or decrease the amounts i win. I realize these people are professionals, but could following advice I would find in a poker book produce results that show less profitable gains than perhaps something I am already doing allbeit a bit different than what they may recommend? I get paid Thursday and the $30 cost is easily affordable, but I fear I might start doing things that will cause my profit margin to decrease.

I have seen a copy of Matthew's starting hand chart. In all honesty the hands to be played in LP seem a bit loose to me. If I was going to get a book it would be Matthew Hilger's Internet texas Holdem because his is one of the few directed directly at Internet play. I have to admit I would like to get the book and have been thinking about it again and the only thing stopping me is the reasons already stated. Are they justified or am I worrying about nothing.

My game went off track after reading some books because I was trying things I wasn't comfy doing, but overall my game got better in the long run because I try things I was to scared to do before.

If you do get a book and want to try new things then I recommend you go down levels or try them at play money until you get used to doing a new style of play, (I know play money is a pain but may help your game in the long run)

That is just my experience of learning new things in playing poker (I am still quite new to poker and still learning all the time) - I am quite often lately finding myself at freerolls to try new styles of play just for practice (dont want to lose to much money - practicig)

Well, i agree with what you are saying because I have experienced it myself but I still think you should read everything possible....it opens your mind to all styles....It may not be your playing style, but it is probably someone elses so it may help you determine what other types of players are going to do, if nothing else. Over time you will learn to retain what you need and reject what you dont....You must remember that you are trying to be a successfull pro player over the LONG TERM. Reading a book may affect your game over the short term, but almost certainly make you a better player over the long run......What is that saying? You must have rain before the rainbow? something like that...basically I am saying that if you close your mind to all other styles you are saying that your game needs no improvement. Even Phil Iveys game needs improvement. Everybody's does.

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Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.

I have the same worries as you starlight,so I havent read one yet.I almost bought one a month ago but changed my mind.I know theres things in there that would help me but I like to play my own style and not copy one.Ill learn as I go...if things get bad then ill look.Til then I have no one to blame but me.
They are better players but did they get that way reading books or playing?I figure they are just telling me how they play and how they think.Right or wrong Ill use my mind for now.
Plus alot of the things I pick up and use are from the forum or players I see use it . I imagine alot of them have read so Im just picking and choosing what I like without having to read it all and risk changing too much.
But I may be wrong

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Reading the books can't hurt, just remember that the vast majority of the advice in the book won't really help your game. If you can get only one or two really excellent tips however, it is probably worth it. Just look through the book, find the tips that will help YOU, and ignore the rest. You don't have to do everything the book says, but more knowledge can't hurt.

I bought it this morning and already in the very first chapter I am learning things I had not considered previously.