So you're playing Santa Claus for someone who loves poker? And you don't know what to buy them? I've put together a list of 50 great poker gifts under $50 for your use. So make your list and check it twice, and if you know a poker player who hasn't been naughty, but has been nice, get him some of the presents for poker players mentioned in this article.

Poker Books - Great Poker Book Gifts

Every poker player I know loves reading poker books. Here are what I think are the 10 best poker books to buy as presents:

1. The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky

This is widely considered the single best book ever written about poker. It's not about any one poker game; it uses examples from all kinds of different poker games to illustrate principles that apply to all poker games. It's dry and tough reading if you're not already a reasonably experienced poker player, but if your friend has been playing for a while, this book will take his game to the next level.

2. Caro's Book of Poker Tells by Mike Caro

This is possibly useless if your poker playing gift-recipient plays online poker exclusively, but if he plays live games, then he'll appreciate and get a lot of use out of this book. It's the definitive book about poker tells and how they affect your game strategy.

3. Doyle Brunson's Super System 2 - by Doyle Brunson & friends

The original Super System was considered the bible of poker by many, and the new updated version was sorely needed. Many of the sections of the older edition were horribly dated and poorly edited, and the section on no limit holdem was confusing in places because Doyle would call a flop a turn. Some of the rules have changed since then, and some of the games that were played then aren't played now.

Most of this has been corrected in this new version of the book. The only disappointment in Super System 2 is the section about internet poker, which is nothing but several pages of Doyle shilling his branded online cardroom. But Mike Caro's new section about poker success more than makes up for it.

4. Play Poker Like the Pros by Phil Hellmuth

Some judgment is required before buying this book, because it's a useful book for beginning poker players, and an almost universally disliked book for intermediate or advanced players. I've seen a lot of really great poker players dissing this book, but honestly, for a beginner, it's good stuff. I learned to play a couple of different games I didn't understand before from Play Poker Like the Pros.

5. The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King by Michael Craig

Great book for anyone interested in poker, even if they're just a spectator. It tells the true story of Texas banker and mathematician Andy Beal and his heads up matches with the legends of the professional poker world in Las Vegas. A great chance to read about high limit poker players and the world they live in, and the thought processes they make decisions with.

6. Killer Poker - Strategy and Tactics for Winning Poker Play by John Vorhaus

Most poker authors are dry and dull, but not John Vorhaus. He's not a professional poker player who's written a book; he's a professional writer who plays poker. He's a big fan of aggressive play, and I'm not sure how great his advice is for a newbie, but it's damn entertaining reading.

7. Caro's Fundamental Secrets of Winning Poker by Mike Caro

Another poker writer who writes well is Mike Caro. His public persona as the "Mad Genius of Poker" carries over into his writing, but his perspective on poker strategy and his way of delivering the advice is unique. This is a great book for any player at any level, even though beginners will probably get the most benefit from it.

8. Positively Fifth Street - Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion's World Series of Poker by Jim McManus

Another professional writer who's written an entertaining and literary poker book, Jim McManus actually made the final table of the World Series of Poker in preparation for writing this book, which is also about Ted Binion's murder at the hands of his stripper girlfriend.

9. The Tao of Poker - 285 Rules to Transform Your Game and Your Life by Larry Phillips

Some of his strategy advice is just plain bad, but the stuff about getting your mind right and sustaining the right mindset more than makes up for it. This is a book that's all about avoiding tilt and playing tight, effective poker. It's also about focusing on the process instead of the outcome.

10. One of a Kind - The Rise and Fall of Stuey "The Kid" Ungar, the World's Greatest Poker Player by Nolan Dallas

Possibly no poker player's story is more interesting than that of Stu Ungar, who was almost universally considered one of the best players to ever touch the game. This book is his story, and poker fans will enjoy it.

This page was last updated on January 5, 2006.