Book Review: Doyle Brunson's Super System

Doyle Brunson's Super System, a book about poker strategy, is considered one of the most important publications on the subject, authored by one of the greatest players of all time. This book has had an immense impact on the poker scene like no other. Super System is filled with advice from players who were among the best in the world at the time of its release in 1978. However, the true legacy lies in the fact that this book changed the thinking and playing style of millions of No Limit Hold'em players worldwide. Doyle Brunson's Super System paved the way for the No Limit Hold'em game as we know it today.

Doyle Brunson and his co-authors

Learning poker without ever stumbling upon the name Doyle Brunson is nearly impossible. Brunson rose to fame in 1976 when he emerged victorious in the WSOP Main Event held in Las Vegas. The following year, he astoundingly defended his title, solidifying his position as a poker legend.

Brunson's story is nothing short of legendary: a college basketball prodigy suffers a devastating injury and is forced to end his promising career. He defied death when he survived a very serious illness and became one of the most feared gamblers and poker players from the old school of Texas. He achieved iconic status not only by winning back-to-back 1976 and 1977 WSOP Main Events but also by making a full house with Ten-Deuce in both tournaments and winning them both with that hand. His journey is a testament to resilience and the triumph of the human spirit.

Doyle Brunson's Super System book is nearly as impressive as the man himself, spanning over 600 pages. The team of co-authors reads like a roster of late seventies poker royalty, featuring players such as Bobby Baldwin, the 1978 world champion, who contributed the chapter on Limit Hold'em. Notable contributors to the book also include Mike Caro, David Sklansky, Chip Reese, Joey Hawthorne, and the legendary "Amarillo Slim" Preston, who even penned the foreword.

Super System: the overview

The book takes a systematic look at numerous variations of poker that were played in card rooms over 30 years ago. Emphasizing on No Limit Hold'em, Limit Hold'em, Draw Poker, Seven Card Stud, Lowball, and High-Low Split, it covers many games that are still played on online poker sites today. However, it does not touch upon some of the currently popular games like Omaha, as they were rarely played during that time. Nevertheless, in the subsequently published Super System 2, you will also find chapters dedicated to these poker variations.

The book, originally published in 1978, was undoubtedly the finest poker book of its time. Surprisingly, many of the tactics and strategies mentioned in the book remain not only pertinent but also indispensable even in the present day. It encompasses the quintessential poker wisdom that every aspiring player should be well-versed in. In fact, it compiles the most crucial insights on poker, which are still highly relevant today.

Comments

There is no doubt that Doyle Brunson's Super System is a legendary book and rightly deserves a place in the hall of fame of great poker works. Much can be learned from the book, although caution must be exercised as the game has evolved over time and certain information may no longer be relevant. One cannot deny the significance of this masterpiece, which continues to captivate and educate poker enthusiasts worldwide. Its enduring legacy serves as a testament to Brunson's expertise and influence in the poker community.

For instance, the book delves into the mastery of superior deepstack play in No Limit Hold'em, a technique that is rarely utilized today, particularly in online poker. The average stack sizes in online poker render many of these strategies less effective or even futile. Furthermore, numerous of the mentioned variations in Super System are scarcely played nowadays, as Texas Hold'em and Omaha constitute the heart of the contemporary online poker realm.

The vast expanse of the online arena is populated with players who prefer short stack strategies, a topic that is not addressed in the book, thereby leaving the no-limit section seemingly incomplete for those who seldom engage in deep-stacked play. Before purchasing any poker book, it is important to consider the effect of aging on its content. However, if one is aware of this and capable of adapting the book's pertinent ideas and strategies to the present day, it is highly recommended to delve into the work of one of the greatest poker players of all time.

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