The first section of this book is really a continuation of the topics found in Volume 1, an extended exegesis on the topics of bluffing and slow-playing. Just about every conceivable bluffing situation is covered here although, perhaps strangely, less consideration is given to making large semi-bluffs with high-quality draws than I might have expected. There's a lot of good stuff here, and anyone who plays the bigger buy-in tournaments or cash games will eventually be exposed to all of these moves.
Harrington begins his endgame analysis with an explanation and examination of what he calls "inflection point theory". Basically, his thesis is that as players' stack sizes change relative to the blinds and antes different strategic considerations apply. This is well-known and has previously been addressed in the poker literature, but never with this level of depth. Much of this is understood, at least instinctively, by many, if not most, tournament veterans, but Harrington's analysis is extremely detailed and meticulously thought out. This may not be as revolutionary an idea as it is presented here, but it is important and well worth understanding.
Harrington goes on to cover short-handed and heads-up no-limit hold'em. As we have come to expect, Harrington is exceptionally thorough in his coverage of this topic. It's my opinion that this information is the best in this book, and maybe the best in this series. His analysis of these situations is carefully constructed and exceptionally well-considered. I especially liked his play-by-play commentary of the heads-up confrontation between John D'Agostino and Phil Ivey at the conclusion of the Turing Stone tournament in 2004. I suspect that there are few tournament players who won't benefit from what Harrington has to offer here.
Perhaps it's my personal preference for cash games over tournaments, but if I had to choose, I'd rate Volume 1 slightly higher than Volume 2. This takes nothing away from Volume 2, however, as it is an exceptional book. Anyone who is playing regularly in no-limit hold'em tournaments who hasn't read what Harrington has to say on the topic is missing out, plain and simple. I highly recommend this book as part of an exceptional two volume set.
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