From all the poker websites & blogs we’ve visited, there are a couple of consensus picks that stand out for best books for poker beginners.
The following two books are good choices for beginning players and players moving up from “seat of the pants’ poker:
#1. Winning Low-Limit Holdem (by Lee Jones)
First published in 1994, this book has become the major reference on playing Texas Hold’em at lower limits.
The second edition reflects the evolution of the game since then.
If you play or want to play low-limit Hold’em this book is perfect.
It doesn’t have a lot of advanced theory, but it will give you a solid grounding for low-limit games.
#2. Small Stakes Hold ‘em: Winning Big With Expert Play (by Ed Miller, David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth)
This book explains what you need to know to be a winner in small stakes games.
It emphasizes the aggressive / attacking style used by professional players.
It does not just tell you to play aggressively but it shows you how to think like a professional player and make expert decisions through many well presented examples.
Topics include implied odds, pot equity, speculative hands, position, the importance of being suited, hand categories, counting outs, evaluating the flop, large pots versus small pots, protecting your hand, betting for value on the river, and playing overcards.
There are skill tests with over fifty hand quizzes that present you with common hold ’em situations.
Make your play, and then compare it to the authors’ play and reasoning.