I do not see why professional players ever write books...money from that is negligible compared to money they would get playing blackjack using their newly found card counting or other money making systems. Not only do casino personnel read the books, tons of new players get caught and overexpose the new systems. Even if they dont give out all their secrets, some of them surely told.
I'll have NT comment but some like to give back to the community and add to a legacy. That and use it to pick up chicks...
And it isn't only people that have been burned out everywhere. Some might still be playing (with new methods) and maybe haven't even been backed off at a single joint in years. I'm just guessing when I say that though.
Revenge on the casinos that barred them from further play but that makes less sense now with so many places to play around the USA. I know about a few nice opportunities right now and if I can't play at those places any longer I won't write a book but I will sure post the opportunities in open forums on the internet.
The first most obvious reason is the potential for a profit. However I believe that there are a few that do it for the love of the game and education. Let's face it, if we put as much effort into getting a law degree or medical degree as we do this game we could be at the top of either profession. I've actually considered writing about my exploits simply because I think others may find it fun to read however I can't help but think that would be pretentious. I think Norm is a perfect example of an author that wants to share. Yes there's a profit involved but there is also an obvious love for the game and the education he provides...MM
I'm sure it's different for everyone, but I'm most pros are either retired or their books won't infringe on their ability to continue to play. Some players write under an alias, while others publish under their own name and have ways to conceal their identity at the tables.
"There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
I think in JG's case, being that he is an academic, it is like writting a research paper to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a way of justifying himself while achieving acclaim in the AP world, and also maybe exposing things that need not be.Originally Posted by zengrifter
I enjoy reading books telling of life experiences, like Glen Wiggy and Kevin, and Meadows, NT, etc.
Ouchez
I agree with Mathman. Wong freely admits in the foreword to Professional Blackjack that he wrote it as an ego trip. This does not detract from its considerable educational value. Wong studied long enough to get a PhD, so he has experience teaching and he appears to be good at it. Considering the relatively small market for counting books and the opportunity cost in terms of playing hours, I don't think most authors are in it for the money.
ZG, I think that, as your 'Tiger Woods of AP' characterization of him suggests, Grosjean did a little more than make a bid. I've speculated myself on his motives, but it would seem we've reached different conclusions.
"Wait a minute. How do you beat someone to death with their own skull? That doesn't seem physically possible." "That's what Jimmy kept screaming: 'This doesn't seem physically possible!'"
I can attest to not being in it for the money. But the other glaring reason that one might write a book is because they enjoy writing. For me, it was marrying the passion I have for the game with my interest in writing. And I tried to do that in a way that was entertaining and educational, hopefully giving back to a community on some level. I never thought I'd be a lifer AP, and I started writing after I was done playing. But there's no question that I only published a fraction of our strategies in case [someday] I ever decided to play again. The notion that just because someone writes a book, that they're immediately on every casino's blacklist, is debatable. And ego is obviously a part of it, just like it's a part of everything we do in our lives. But to imply that it's the driving force for all pros who write a book would be a blanket statement, and one that I think oversimplifies the wide variety of motives that any pro has to write a book.
"There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
- Because you're pedantic.
- Because you mistakenly believe you have mastered the fine art of turning a phrase.
- Because you like to tell stories, but the bartenders are tired of hearing them.
- Because you're tired of suffering fools on the web, and would like to try a medium where people can't talk back.
- Because Blackjack is a lonely business.
- Because sitting at a table, looking at the 327,824th 16vTen that you have been dealt, it occurs that perhaps writing a book would be a pleasant diversion.
- Because lying on your deathbed, it would nice to think you did something besides play a simple card game in your professional life.
Lots of possible reasons. But, making money is not one. If you want to do that, write a book on progression systems.
"I don't think outside the box; I think of what I can do with the box." - Henri Matisse
Let's face it, if it wasn't for books about blackjack probably none of us would be playing as APs. Either we wouldn't know the technique existed, or we wouldn't have the skills to figure it out for ourselves. My first blackjack book was "Beat the Dealer" and I've probably read dozens since then. If Kat didn't write about a popular bj derivitive I would not have made a nice little profit from that game either.
On the other hand I am currently making money from two other casino games which have almost no AP information about and are both considered unbeatable by the masses. I dred the day someone writes an AP book about the games exposing them to the casino and other players who would dry up the opportunity from the competition.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks