Matthew Hilger’s Internet Texas Hold’em promises to be the definitive guide to online limit poker. The reality: it’s a solid beginner’s limit strategy book with a misleading title. The “internet” part is an afterthought. What saves it is one of the best starting hand charts in poker publishing.
When this book came out, the expectation was a deep dive into online-specific strategy — multi-tabling, reads without physical tells, adapting to the faster pace. Instead, 90% of the content is standard limit Hold’em fundamentals that apply equally to live games. The internet-specific section is disappointingly thin.
What’s Inside
Chapter structure — the best part
Hilger’s organizational approach is genuinely excellent. Each chapter starts with a concept heading (e.g., “Buying a Free Card”), followed by why you do it, when to do it, and when not to. This clear, structured format makes complex concepts digestible. Review charts at the end of each section reinforce the key points.
Starting hand chart
The starting hand selection table is one of the best in any poker book — period. It’s detailed, position-aware, and practical enough to print out and keep next to your screen. For new players, this chart alone might be worth the price of the book.
The "internet" content
The section dedicated to online play is short and generic. It covers the basics of wild, bluff-happy opponents you’ll find online, but nothing you couldn’t get from any standard limit strategy book. The real missed opportunity: Hilger doesn’t explore online-specific dynamics like multi-tabling, HUD usage, or the mathematical differences in faster online play.
The Review
The fundamentals are solid. Hilger covers betting patterns, position play, drawing hands, and adjustments for loose games with enough detail to genuinely help a beginner. The chapter structure — concept, why, when, when not to — is one of the clearest pedagogical approaches in poker writing.
But the strategy runs a bit loose and stereotypical for more experienced players. If you’re already beating low-stakes games, there’s not much here that will push you further.
If you stripped this book down to just the starting hand table and the chapter structure, it would still be worth reading. The chart is detailed, practical, and position-specific — one of the few in poker publishing that you can actually use at the table without modification.
Full disclosure: the reviewer has an irrational dislike of Hilger ever since watching him bust Doyle Brunson in the 2005 WSOP Main Event. This did not affect the rating. Probably.
About Matthew Hilger
Background
Hilger started his poker career online in the early 2000s, reportedly winning around $100,000 playing strictly limit Hold’em. He leveraged that experience into a writing career, starting with Internet Texas Hold’em and following up with Texas Hold’em Odds and Probabilities and several other titles.
Beyond the books
Hilger’s live tournament results are modest — about $270,000 in cashes according to Hendon Mob, with his best result being an $80,000 cash. He’s primarily known as a writer and online limit specialist rather than a live tournament player.
Internet Texas Hold’em is a competent beginner’s limit strategy book disguised as an online poker guide. The chapter structure is excellent, the starting hand chart is one of the best available, and the fundamentals are sound. But the misleading title, thin internet content, and lack of depth for intermediate players keep it from a higher score. Get it for the hand chart, stay for the structure, don’t expect the internet revolution the title promises.