Quote Originally Posted by Fortune 500
Quote Originally Posted by Renton
Theory of Poker is far too advance to be a beginner's first read IMO. Its a very abstract read.
A fair (and arguably true) point. Would you suggest something not included in the poll?
I think the first book one reads should be specialized. SSH for LHE and HOH for NHLE and tournaments. HOH also, despite its subject matter, helped me tremendously with NLHE ring.

Once a newb gets specialized in a certain type of poker and learns the scientific and mathematical concepts on an intermediate level, I think TOP is a great book to branch out to all the other poker formats with.