Hi Everyone:

If you live in the United States we have a special offer for you. Send me via a private message your mailing address and in return if you're one of the first 50 people I hear from, we'll send you a free copy of The Theory of Poker Applied to No-Limit by David Sklansky. All we ask is that after you read the book you post your thoughts about the book in this thread.

This offer is now over and we sent out more than 50 books.

Best wishes,
Mason

We are doing this because the World Series is coming up and in spite of excellent reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, many players are unaware of its existence, or seriously underestimating it, or perhaps incorrectly assuming it is too basic and not addressing the modern game. Hopefully those who avail themselves of this offer will be at least intermediate players who will write honest comments. I would ask that those comments not be written until you finish the book, as it sort of sticks to the script of the original (except now its about big bet games) and doesn't bring up too many advanced concepts until further along.

Take Mason up on his offer and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Before any comments and reviews are written I would like to nip in the bud one source of unfair possible negativity that was cited by most of the 6% of Amazon readers who gave it one or two stars (Two thirds gave it five stars).

The knock on the book was that there was too much stuff regarding limit poker. And indeed about 20% of the book talks about limit. In fact about half of those words are direct quotes from the original TOP. But those reviewers apparently didn't realize that this was a necessity given the goal of the new book. Which was to transfer the concepts of the original, which was mainly about limit poker, to big bet poker. Thus it was necessary to mention those original concepts so readers could see how they change for no limit. Another reason to talk about them and even include some fairly lengthy quotes from the original, was to avoid the necessity of buying the original book for those who no longer had theirs or somehow never bought it in the first place. We didn't want people to think that we were trying to entice sales that way. The new book has the exact same chapter names as the original in the same order plus a few extra chapters. So it would be a bit easier to read if you had the old book with you at the same time. Since some of you will not, the new book had enough limit info to make that unnecessary. We should not be criticized for that.

Perhaps not in your view...but when you any kind of work out to the public, the purchaser is certainly entitled to their opinion, and if they have a platform to voice it, then their opinion is exactly that. They can criticize it because they didn’t like the font if they want.

Savvy people read the actual reviews and don’t pay too much attention to the stars. We can read what others say and decide how much weight to give to their opinions. This is true for all reviews like this - books, consumer products, restaurants, etc. People’s experiences and expectations are different - even the top rated restaurants get some 1 star reviews.

If people want to criticize the book, they can do so for any reason whatsoever. It doesn’t have to be thoughtful and well reasoned.

Personally, I’m looking forward to receiving my copy and will endeavor to offer my thoughts in as constructive and carefully considered way as possible.

Hi 20dragons:

And that's exactly what we want.

Best wishes,
Mason

I perhaps used the wrong phrase "nip in the bud". What I meant was to write a "prebuttal" to that particular objection and I assumed that would probably dissuade some people from voicing it because they accepted that explanation.

USA only

In...thanks Mason and 2+2

I bought the book as soon as I came available and it has been very helpful and always by my side just like the first T.O.P.
Thanks David and Mason

Thanks for the plug! (Although personally I think you should leave them at home when on a romantic date with your significant other.)

As of yesterday we were close to reaching fifty requests. But there may be other pre WSOP promotions involving this or other books coming up. So this thread will, I believe, stay up for that possibility and of course for the comments/reviews that we requested from those who availed themselves of this promotion.

Actually one of the reasons I suggested this promotion to Mason is that I wanted to see comments from experienced players. The good reviews already on Amazon are nice. But its hard to tell how much stock to put in them since I don't know anything about the reviewers. If they are two plus twoers, I know. I can trust them more.

Hi Everyone:

If you're someone who already has The Theory of Poker Applied to No-Limit and would like to make some specific comments, please post them.

Best wishes,
Mason

I have every book.

That's great. But does this include our book the Fundamentals of Craps?

Best wishes,
Mason

I do not have that one yet. I have the entire collection of the rest.

David/Mason

This is totally fair. You would hope those buying this book would understand the origins of the title and the classic book it refers to.
Its hard to make a comparison without quoting the original work.

Unfortunately in my experience you will find a much much higher percentage of negative reviews than the actual percentage of buyers who are actually negative on the product.

I have personally used examples in the original TOP to explain basic poker concepts to people who don't understand the game.
I haven't read the new NL version yet but I would be surprised if it wasn't as useful as the original in explaining fundamental concepts that also apply to multiple poker games.

Hey mason, long time lurker but first time poster and made an account to be able to try and get this book. It wont let me PM because of a new account but if
there are any copies left to give out please PM me and I will send info

Hi aggrofish:

You're in line for a book and I sent you a PM.

Best wishes,
Mason

Hello Mason,

I would like a copy and sent you a PM.

Understand if I was a little late to the thread and there are none left.

Hi ivashanko:

You're in there and we plan to let the number of books sent out to go above 50. However, today (Sunday) will be the last day we accept any requests for the free book.

Best wishes,
Mason

Thank you so much! Very interested to give it a read and will give my thoughts after that, All of my info was sent to your email as well

I don't think I'll be back to the states before October but will read it when that happens, if that's cool count me in as a first alternate

Thanks for the special offer. (although it seems I still don't have permission to PM). Thanks again.

Hello Mason, I am also unable to send PM. Would like a copy if available.

Hi Everyone:

We're past 50 books, but if I receive a request for the book for the remainder of today, midnight Eastern time, we'll probably honor it.

Also, the books are shipped media mail and the post office tells us that media mail will take from two to nine days. So, even though most of the books will go out tomorrow (Monday), it may be a few days before you get it.

Best wishes,
Mason

I have the Yellow Book. "The Theory of Poker" That is very generous. I will just buy it.