Doyle Brunson's Super System

by Doyle Brunson, Mike Caro (Contributor), David Reese (Contributor)

Twice-world champion and Hall of Famer Doyle Brunson and five leading experts in their various specialties tell you when to raise, call, bet, and fold at hold 'em (limit and no-limit), 7-stud (high and low), draw poker, and lowball.

Collaborators David "Chip" Reese, Mike Caro, David Sklansky, Joey Hawthorne, and former world champion Bobby Baldwin. This treatise on professional-level poker is the result of over 10,000 hours of labor by the world's greatest players and theorists and has never been equaled in scope or value. This is the must-have book for serious poker players.

Genres: Nonfiction, Games, Sports, Reference, Self Help, Business

605 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Doyle Brunson, nicknamed "Texas Dolly" is an American poker player, who won the World Series of Poker in 1976 and 1977.

Reviews

[Bradford · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is considered necessary reading if you plan on playing poker professionally. But you will never play poker professionally. Yes, you, reading this review, you won't ever be a professional. You've got about as much chance earning a living playing poker as you do becoming a professional spy. Actually less of a chance, as there are more professional spies in the world. But the book will give you the illusion you might be able to. Let me crush that illusion one more time: You won't.

[MadMaxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically like the bible to poker right here.

[Jordan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can tell why this is the book on poker. It explains, in a conversational tone, why there is much more to the game than probability and luck. Doyle likes to establish a 'table image', usually of an aggressive player. If you play cards seemingly at random, it will be hard to distinguish between a bluff and a solid hand. Conversely, if you only play the best cards, you may be playing optimally in a vacuum, but good players will recognize this, rarely join you, and if they do, easily predict your cards based on your next actions.

Doyle understands that if everyone plays by the odds, they will usually fold and lot of money will be left on the table. If an aggressive player comes in more often, they're in the position to pick up all that scared money.

I expect to be more willing to mix up by game, and my overall play to improve. I also expect when I read Barry Greenstein's book next, it'll have the opposite advice.

[Tim S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although severely outdated in many sections, to the point of being basically useless (the Limit Hold 'Em section for example described a single blind variation of the game no longer spread) this still contains one of the better introductions to NLHE strategy written by Brunson as well as a decent Seven Card Stud primer by Chip Reese. It's also, to my knowledge, the only book containing strategy on Draw, a game very rarely played in casinos but now available on several internet poker sites at low buy-ins.

[Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a poker player, I always find myself coming back to this book for one reason to another. Although it is very dated now in terms of strategy and current trends, the basics still hold true. It is dubbed the 'Poker Bible' for a reason and a very good reason at that.

Anyone who is just learning poker, or is a casual player wanting to dive more into poker strategy, I always recommend this book. It is a wealth of knowledge, and even though out of date like I said before, there is still things in this book that still hold up in todays poker world.

Let this book be your starting point.

[Preston Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to learn Poker from a world class player. Brunson says in his final words that the reader should now know just as much as he does about poker. I guess the difference is that the reader hasn't necessarily executed it yet. It also does not help that this book might be a tad outdated.

[Monty Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doyle gives good insight into playing strategy for poker and the why he chose to play a certain way

Also some added statistics add end of book

[Danm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is known as the bible of poker, and I can understand why. There is a lot of in-depth information. Everything Doyle writes seems to be on the money, but there's one catch.

This system worked well back in the 1970s, and probably the 1980s and 1990s, but once Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker and so many people flooded the poker market, it led to a great deal of passion for the game, and those who were most passionate educated themselves as much as possible -- including Super System.

This altered the game, and the aggressive style Doyle used to implement won't be as effective because there are now many counter-strategies. If you have watched Doyle play over the past decade, you can see that even he doesn't apply the Super System he created, simply because the game has changed.

All that said, it's a highly recommended read for any poker player because it will create a strong fundamental base of knowledge. The first section about Doyle and his road to poker can also be inspirational. Just be sure you're ready to fully commit to the game. Otherwise, it will be an expensive hobby.

[Okmanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doyle Brunson, Godfather of Poker, the Legend.

Klasyk wśród literatury pokerowej. Swoją pozycję zawdzięcza w dużej mierze dacie wydania. Wtedy wiedza zawarta w niej pewnie wystarczała by osiągnąć wysoki poziom. W międzyczasie poker wyewoluował.

Doyle bardzo dużo czasu poświęca zagadnieniom typu: ile możliwych stritów (w tym nutsowych) można mieć z takiej ręki? Jest smutny gdy ma 89 przy flopie TJQ (bo przecież AK to taka overplayed ręka). Pisze o graniu 5 rodzajów rąk: AA, KK, AK, QQ, JJ-22 - nazywa pary od JJ w dół małymi parami. Mało czasu poświęca matematyce, dużo temu co zrobi z konkretnymi rękami na konkretnej pozycji.

Fajnie poznać, ale chyba nie ma co się na tym wzorować.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

The original poker bible is still relevant and entertaining today. Some of the tactics are outdated such as limp raising with aces but the positional and aggressive strategies are as relevant today as back in the day.

Doyle’s autobiography is fascinating. I never knew he was a collegiate scholarship basketball player, who might never have been a poker pro if he hadn’t broken his legs or that he lost his bankroll on first trip to Vegas.

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic book on poker by Doyle Brunson. Doyle is to poker what Jeff Cooper is to guns: a larger than life figure who inserts colorful storytelling into his books.
This book will not suffice to teach a person to play poker well, but any serious poker player will read this at some point to learn mindsets of the champions, strategy, and poker history.
A must read for poker enthusiasts.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

While certainly a five star guide to playing Poker when it first came out, now it is more of a history lesson than helpful guide to modern Poker. Styles have changed so much since the creation of this book, that if you're looking for your first guide, you might want to examine a more recent book.

[Jak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the NL TH section when I first got into the game. It's alright but not half as good as some other poker books I've read.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strictly a view into the past. Don't read it for the quality of the strategy. In fact, I've heard people seriously question whether the no-limit advice might've been propaganda in it's own day.

[Arpit Garg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the poker 101. A must read.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive "Bible" on poker, it covers all poker games you would ever find yourself playing, and every aspect you could possible learn from a book.

[Joseph Whitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

When looking for a book of poker basics, I was told this was biblical in the poker community. I honestly am not sure whether to believe that or not but Doyle Brunson provided a textbook of sorts for the basics of playing poker and it was exactly what I was looking for. I am not an accomplished player and even when I read this, I knew the odds of such a thing were against me. But still, the game of poker is incredibly intriguing to me. Brunson's commentary on situations share both the required mathematic and statistical skills required to play as well as anecdotes for "playing the man". Super System also introduced me to a variety of poker games instead of just focusing on the ubiquitous game of Texas Hold'Em.

I would venture to say that some of the strategies presented may be outdated to today's poker culture, but the Texas Dolly still shines even if only for his famed bravado. If you are a poker player, this is likely required reading.

[Ritesh Chhajer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man’s true feelings come out in the a Poker game.

“Tight” just means conservative. But a “solid” player is only tight when entering the pot but after he enters, he plays aggressively. Timid players don’t win the high-stakes Poker.

Play mostly tight in a loose game, and mostly loose in a tight game.

No top player drinks while playing. Maintain the discipline. Never play when you’re upset.

In No-Limit Hold’em, position is everything.

Money management and self-discipline are almost the most important factors n Limit.

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this historic book! Doyle has a wonderful, engaging tone. This book suffered from some organizational issues. The advice was often disjointed, and the information often presented without actionable applications. However, I'm glad I read it and look forward to reading the sequel that is on my shelf.

[real____ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The majority of these classic poker texts are unfortunately outdated, besides sections that deal with game theory concepts and the basic mathematical structure of the game.

They still contain some important insights, but the recommendations will not be precise against modern players. A more surgical approach is necessary.

[Vasu Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. A Bible for "aggressive-Doyle style" approach for poker. Being a recreational player myself I enjoyed this book because of its more behavioral/situational understanding of the game than the mathematical side.

[Neil Cake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright, this is boring. It's been sitting in my lounge for ages and I just don't want to read it. There's too much specific stuff about what to do in specific situations against specific types of players and it's too hard to visualise. I'd rather just play the game. So that's that.

[Caleb Philbrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta know how to read people. This helps.

[Thomas Culkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t do anything in life without first consulting Doyle Brunson’s Super System. I leave this on my coffee table so guests know I’m a serious person.

[Alan Munson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated now in terms of poker technique, but a must read for any poker fan. It is the book that was the basis for poker today

[NFerz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book overall that I recommend to get initiated in more advanced Poker. Today, however there are lot of more specialized books and programms that will elevate your skill level.

[Paddy Reddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, although I may have oversaturated my poker interest at the time.

[Lachlan Baker]

Since reading I have continued to lose money. Not Doyle’s fault.

[Kurtzprzezce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Na wstępie: przeczytałem tylko sekcję poświęconą grze No-Limit Hold'em napisaną przez Doyle'a Brunsona, co stanowi pewnie ok. 25% całej książki. Nigdy wcześniej nie czytałem niczego o pokerze, więc sporo rzeczy było dla mnie nowych i pouczających. Książka nie jest jednak bez wad. Po pierwsze - wiele rad adresowanych jest do bardzo dobrych graczy, grających z innymi graczami na ich poziomie. Mało kto jest w stanie w ogóle je wykorzystać. Po drugie: nie zawsze wszystko jest opisane do końca jasno. Czasem trudno zorientować się czy chodzi o przebijanie przed flopem czy też po itd. Po trzecie: momentami trudno dojść do tego, kto jest adresatem książki. Czasem są tłumaczone rzeczy podstawowe, a innym razem autor przyjmuje, że ktoś jest dobrym graczem i wszystko już wie i rozumie. Brunsona trudno uznać za dobrego nauczyciela. Dużo okoliczności jest pominiętych. Nie zawsze wiadomo na przykład, czy strategia jest uniwersalna czy będzie działała tylko przy określonych okolicznościach. Po czwarte: książka jest stara, a to podważa jej aktualność i wiarygodność. Po piąte: niektóre rady wydają się być wręcz szkodliwe. Zdarzają się fragmenty o istnieniu czegoś takiego jak dobra passa, albo wręcz postrzeganiu pozazmysłowym. Kilka rad opartych o nie-nadnaturalne czynniki jest trudnych do odczytania. Nie wiadomo czy słowo "zawsze" znaczy rzeczywiście "za każdym razem" czy jest to tylko chwyt retoryczny. Czasami trudno się połapać. Po szóste: skuteczność wielu opisywanych strategii jest oparta na umiejętności odczytania przeciwnika i założeniu, że ma się świetną intuicję. Może Brunson ją ma, ale większość jego czytelników raczej nie. Po siódme: budowanie wizerunku to bardzo długotrwała strategia, a to właśnie na nim jest oparte powodzenie stylu Brunsona. Dla kogoś kto tak jak ja, zagra kilka razu do roku, jest to bezużyteczne.

Podsumowując: mi jako kompletnemu laikowi wydaje się, że z radami Brunsona trzeba bardzo uważać, bo niektóre mogą raczej szkodzić niż pomagać. Trzeba zastanowić się, które rady mogą być przydatne na poziomie gry, który samemu się reprezentuje.