[AGreen]

I'm sure most of you would agree that playing is the best way to improve your game. But when you can't play, which do you prefer/think helps more:
-watching poker on tv...any type except Celebrity
-reading poker books

[Texas72]

I've gotta go with reading. Watching allows you to see all sorts of different moves, but again we're just seeing the extremely edited versions, and it doesn't allow you to get into the mind of the player and figure out WHY they did what they did. You can get that in books though, the good ones at least. Reading another person's thought process is really beneficial - allows you to put yourself in their place and see how you'd do it. This is one of the reasons that I really enjoy reading poker blogs and these types of hand analysis discussions on forums - you can always benefit from hearing the viewpoint of another player.

[AGreen]

O, and I guess I didn't really put this in but what about Poker Movies? for lack of a better word. I was browsing through DirecTV pay-per-view and saw a show presented by Howard Lederer. It was cheap, like $5, so I bought it. The first 20 minutes were the absolute basics, but after that I thought it was pretty good.

Also, with my points on Tilt I just bought "Final Table with Phil Gordon". I ordered it a week ago, so it will take a while to get. It says you get inside Phil's head as he talks about each hand to himself and analyzes opponents. So you get the personal aspect and also the ability to watch the hands unfold. It sounds like it combines the best of both watching and reading.
Can't wait for it and Harrington's book on headsup play.

[Acorn89]

I have seen that Howard Lederer movie that you were talking about and I agree that once you get past the basics it is pretty good. I think that he even has made acouple more movies since that but I'm not sure. I personally voted for reading poker books because most of the poker you see on TV is edited. But I have seen some live poker on FSN and that wasn't actually that bad. It did though move a little slow but other than that it was good.

I also was thinking of getting that new Phil Gordon video so if someone could tell me if im wasting my money or not.

[Texas72]

The Gordon video is good. Some of it is pretty basic stuff, but there is a lot of in-depth look into specific tourney situations. Definately something you'll want to watch a couple of times to get everything from it.

[beriac]

Personally, I like reading books about poker because they go much deeper into theory and so I tend to remember them better. They give me the information that becomes the core of my game. Most of what I learned about calculating pot/implied odds, pot equity, etc I learned out of the books. Also, I find that they're a good read.

Watching poker on TV (GOOD poker) is great too, because it's more situational. I might play a game and remember a similar hand I saw, and you get analysis from the commentators (though sometimes I wonder what they're smoking...).

Both have a place in the education of a poker player as a complement to playing.

[Yearbookpoker]

Well for one thing I hate reading so that option is out the window and down the street. On the other hand watching poker on tv is boring but somewhat helpful. If I just want to relax at night and nothing good is on tv I sometimes watch WSOP events. I have learned a few things from watching it. I understand patience and what hands are better to play calling the blinds or a raise. Anyways I have learned the most from Chris Ferguson who is not only Jesus but God in my book as well. Seriously, how can you not love that guys hair.

[Takethepot25]

i think if you watch the game in action like the world series for instance on ESPN it will help you more. Lets face it reading is boring. WAtching it on TV u feel the excitement and you see the action. Its helped me improve my game.

[beriac]

To each his/her own, I can understand if books aren't your thing, but I don't think it can be said that poker on TV is more helpful to everyone. I find the books generally more helpful but poker on TV is incrementally helpful also so I tend to try both.

[guitarizt]

What about playing? I went through a period where I read as much as I could. I actually got a lot worse. I started not thinking too much and I got better again. Just what works for me, though. And I'll never stop reading completely.