SNG Book Announcement:

[jackaaron]

I would think Mason could care less what Collin’s Sharkscope stats are. I’m assuming Mason would judge the book by its content.

There’s no questioning the possibility that there is a poster on the STTF that has better stats than Collin…that doesn’t mean the STTF poster can write a book that we would all fully comprehend, or that would even help us. Being a great SnG player, and being a great author are two separate things.

[fraac]

God you're profound. I want to study under you.

[sethypooh21]

[ QUOTE ]
I would think Mason could care less what Collin’s Sharkscope stats are. I’m assuming Mason would judge the book by its content.

There’s no questioning the possibility that there is a poster on the STTF that has better stats than Collin…that doesn’t mean the STTF poster can write a book that we would all fully comprehend, or that would even help us. Being a great SnG player, and being a great author are two separate things.

[/ QUOTE ]But the question is whether Mr. Moshman understnads SnG's well enough to write about them. Based on his sporadic posts in STTF, the book probably won't be McEvoy/Cloutier level garbage, but whether it will rise above "competent" to "helpful" or even "indispensable" is an open question. And, with respect, it's possible that Mason/David/etc. don't have a thorough enough understanding of SNG's to accurately judge how "good" the manuscript is. As someone said upthread, it's an esoteric form of poker.

[justscott]

Sorry but without sharkscope its a nogo for me too.

[Collin Moshman]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for the feedback on this thread, both positive and critical.

I have been staying mainly in the STT forum, but I will answer any question you guys want answered in this thread, starting with those already posted.

“What is your background?”

Academically, I graduated from Caltech in 2003 with an Honors BS in Math. Later that year, I began playing $0.10-$0.25 cash no-limit hold ‘em and $5+$1 10-man SNGs. This was on PokerRoom under the name Anarchos, and my initial bankroll was $50. Within 10 months, I was earning over 90% of my income from SNG play exclusively, primarily 2-tabling the Party $215’s.

I have also been doing free-lance writing for several years. I published an article on miniscule-stacked tournament play in 2+2 Mag (March 2006), and have also published multiple articles in MILO Strength Journal (hence the picture of me with the fire hydrant). I was in the process of getting my MS in economics when I quit to play poker full-time.


“What is your current screen name? Sharkscope?”

Unfortunately I cannot provide my current screen name as I am still an active player, and I do not want others to have a strategic or table selection edge that they would otherwise not have.

I have devoted a substantial fraction of my time over the past year to the writing of Sit ‘n Go Strategy, and vastly increased my studying as well. Naturally this has cut back on my SNG volume. So a) the sample size is comparatively small, and b) I do not want to offer potential opponents any further edge, other than my advice, when at the tables. I think that’s fair.

With that said, I will out myself on the old Party as having played under BigPairPushr, jim2718, and bob2718 (consecutively, not concurrently).



“Why can’t a group of STT forum members review the book beforehand?”

It would not be my place to arrange a group of forum members to review the book. If 2+2 wishes to do so, that is completely fine by me. I think it may be difficult, though, to find individuals whose credibility and expertise will not be questioned by anyone.

To give an example, I would have thought the approval of Mason and David would suffice. Perhaps because they have chosen to focus their talents mainly on other subjects besides the no-limit SNG, some are disputing their ability to judge an SNG book, despite their vast experience in gambling, authoring, and poker publishing. So no matter who reviews the book, I find it very unlikely everyone will be satisfied.


“Why does Collin get to write this book instead of other posters?”

Writing a complete treatment of SNG strategy requires a vast output of time and effort. I sacrificed considerable poker income by devoting nearly a year of my life to completing this project. Others could have done the same, but decided to spend their time otherwise. That is a perfectly respectable choice -- taking sure SNG profits over writing a complete poker manuscript with no guarantee of publication. I simply went ahead with the project because I greatly enjoy SNGs and writing, and this seemed the ideal way to combine my talents.

Meanwhile, I invite anyone else to write their own SNG book. There is a competitive market in poker literature, and so there is nothing stopping any individual or group from writing a better book and having it published. There are many very winning SNG players -- I am simply one of those winners who writes well and took the earliest initiative.


“How do I know your book will be any good?”

Since it isn’t out yet, I suppose you cannot know for sure. But…

1. I am posting regularly on the STT forum now. I invite you to join us over there, check out my posts, and judge my knowledge of the subject matter for yourself.

2. When I first approached 2+2 about this book I was a complete unknown, so Mason and David would have no reason to involve themselves with this project apart from raw content.

3. Once the book hits the market, there will certainly be many reviews on this site, Amazon, and so forth. So if you have concerns, simply wait until the book is out and the reviews pile in (from the general public, specialists, or anyone else) before buying. I am quite confident the consensus will be decidedly positive.


Okay, I hope this clears up some questions, and I will be happy to reply to any others that arise as this exciting project develops.

Best Regards,
Collin

[RowdyZ]

Man it might just be me but the STTF bunch seem like a really arrogant bunch. It doesn't sound like they need the book so they shouldn't buy it. If they can do better then write it then by all means they should write it themselves. 2+2 couldn't survive solely based on sales to members of this forum so I doubt it will have any impact on the over all numbers if the STTF guys wish to boycott the book.

RZ

[Gelford]

RowdyZ ...
It might have something to do with the 'difficult' SNG questions Sklansky posted in his forum.


Colin ...
Thx and GL with the book [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[JackCase]

[ QUOTE ]
Man it might just be me but the STTF bunch seem like a really arrogant bunch.

[/ QUOTE ]

STTF is the Lake Wobegone of 2+2, where all the children are above average.

[shymijo2love4]

Hi Collin,

So are you going to write in the book the exact straty that you use today? or like you said you dont want anyone having a strategic advantage over you if you give us your name and that gives an impression that you might hold back a few key secrets to your play just in case a few of us sits on your table, wether we know its you or not and you may have less of an advantage then your normally would.

[Mr. Orange]

[ QUOTE ]
Man it might just be me but the STTF bunch seem like a really arrogant bunch.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been thinking the same thing, reading all these posts.

[ QUOTE ]
With that said, I will out myself on the old Party as having played under BigPairPushr, jim2718, and bob2718 (consecutively, not concurrently).

[/ QUOTE ]

Now you all have his screen name. Everyone can look up his stats and stop whining about it.