There is simply just a slew of poker books out there on the market now, with many professional players and writers trying to get a slice of this lucrative market. Some do it with blatant disregard for quality content, while others have become so proficient at mastering poker education that they have solidified their writing status on the best selling list for years to come.

In order to narrow down your gift giving expedition these books recommended here are for players rather new to the game. Maybe they have seen some WSOP and WPT events, played a few home tournaments, and maybe ventured into the casino once or twice. There is a great selection out there, but the following two are my favorites for the fresh player.

No limit holdem tournaments is the game on the most popular poker television programs and that is what most poker players are playing now - even beginners. It's actually a better choice for beginners as well, because you can only lose your entry fee and not the stacks of chips you see being shoved all in on TV! Here are a couple of great buys that focus predominantly on NL Hold'em Tournaments.

Phil Gordon's Little Green Book [http://www.pokerbookreport.com] - This is a cute sized hard cover that packs a punch of over-the-top, solid tournament strategy from a respected player, commentator, and about the best poker writer out there today. While many of the chapters delve into specific odds, position, and tournament stage strategy, Gordon lets the reader jump right inside the mind of a true tournament pro and can experience many real decision making situations which are key to getting into the money in tournaments. I certainly think that Phil Gordon has jumped to the front of the class of all the poker writers out there today. His unique ability to make you think about the game, while showering his sentences with poker-love, creeps into your system and just makes you want to play that much more. An excellent gift too, because of the small package.

Dan Harrington's Harrington On Hold'em - Although not as fun to read as Phil Gordon, Harrington makes up for that and more by having created in this book an actual reference work for no limit tournament play. It's a unique learn by playing/watching system, as critical topics are covered using actual hand replays involving many top pros, live tournaments, and typical internet games- but Harrington let's you take a shot at making the right move first, while he then dissects what he would do (or did) in that situation, allowing you to rethink your position if need be. The advice in this book is valid to the point, and organized in a structural sense, allowing the reader to delve into tournament psychology and critical concepts as well. This is about the highest regarded tournament book among tournament pros and internet semi pros. Every page in this masterpiece will effectively challenge the reader to become better.

Either of these books will be around the house for a very long time, and be much more appreciated than a whole lot of other gifts received over the years.