Sports Illustrated

[Jason Strasser]

Wow. Uhhh...

Buy the magazine on newsstands today. If you have a subscription you can log in thru the website and read the premium content.

-Jason

[Kevmath]

Link 1 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more/05/23/internet.poker/index.html)
Link 2 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more/05/23/vegas.bound/index.html)
Link 3 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/sioncampus/04/25/final0428/index.html)
Link 4 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more/05/20/poker.rounders/index.html)
Link 5 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more/05/18/poker.moneymaker/index.html)
Link 6 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more/05/19/new.school.players/index.html)

Link 7 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more/05/25/poker0428/index.html)

Kevin...

[Jason Strasser]

Its none of those I think. Its in the magazine which is on newsstands today.

[Kevmath]

One of those is from an April article. I know one of those other links includes a quote of yours.

Kevin...

[Jordan Olsommer]

Good Lord do they have some awful writers on that site. Yeesh.

[Jason Strasser]

Yeah the article written in the magazine is much better.

[theghost]

which article?

[dlk9s]

[ QUOTE ]
which article?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is a big-ass article in the middle of SI about online poker, featuring the OP. There's also a banner on the cover highlighting the article. Tough to miss if you read the magazine.

I never thought I'd ever look at Dookies in a good light, but that article made them seem cool compared the Yale nerds that were also featured. I'd kill myself if I had to hang out with those people. "Witty" banter about poker math is just slightly less aggravating than a cactus between the cheeks.

[shadow29]

Care to post the article for the rest of us?

edit- sorry i thought you had an online deal

[Robk]

is it hard to type with those dainty fingers?

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Jason:

I was called by Sports Illustrated on Tuesday May 24 and interviewed about collusion on Internet poker sites. I suspect that my comments would be to late to get into this issue.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Jason Strasser]

Mason,

This article has nothing about collusion in it. I did, however, give a 2+2 shoutout so you should definitely buy a copy.

-Jason

[BottlesOf]

[ QUOTE ]
I did, however, give a 2+2 shoutout so you should definitely buy a copy.


[/ QUOTE ]

I hope you did it tactfully.

[DeezNuts]

[ QUOTE ]
Mason,

This article has nothing about collusion in it. I did, however, give a 2+2 shoutout so you should definitely buy a copy.

-Jason

[/ QUOTE ]

I read this article before sleeping last night. You are the star of the article. Too bad they included picture of you. Good article.

DN

[BottlesOf]

Just read the article--pretty good stuff, but WAY too much 2+2 mentioned for my tatses, not just the books but the forums. They make it seem like all the winners at various schools are here. I hope there's not too much of an influx to the boards in the next few weeks...

Duke- are you home yet?

[Jason Strasser]

Yo,

I personally am a believer that if someone wants to improve they really don't have to look hard. 2+2 is not some hidden or secret society, I really don't hesitate much. I also think that so much that is posted here is bad that I really don't feel bad at all telling people that I've used 2+2 to improve... Thats just my feeling.

I'll be home in July, but not sure if I can play at the PC. When I left in the winter for school, the owner told me not to come back till I was 21... Which is in december. But he also said to call him when I got back. We shall see. Maybe you'll sack up and play some no limit.

-Jason

[nate1729]

Hey, I'm the one who's mentioned for trying to memorize HE4AP.

--Nate

[Smarty]

I think Jason Strasser is just a myth created by the media.

[dlk9s]

My favorite part about the article was how SI wouldn't give the real name of the college kid who has lost tens of thousands, but they go on to say where he goes to school, where he's from, what he looks like, and even detailed how he used to play poker in the kitchen at night and that his dad went to work early. As if his parents wouldn't be able to put the pieces together if they read it.

Dummies.

[Justin A]

Jason,
How is it that you end up in all these articles about poker?

[AJo Go All In]

yikes

[BottlesOf]

I didn't get that. Why would you memorize sections of HPFAP?

[WWJFergusonD?]

[ QUOTE ]
I didn't get that. Why would you memorize sections of HPFAP?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because it contains far more truth than, say, Barry Bonds' batting statistics....

/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Jason Strasser]

Its just been two... Some guy at SI knows some kid at Duke and thats how it started.

[Vee Quiva]

Sometimes I wonder if I have an unhealthy interest in poker. I love playing online, in casinos, and reading 2+2.

After reading the description of the losing player in the article, I no longer have a concern.
[ QUOTE ]
"My hands were still shaking when I had that cigarette," he says. "I'd been praying for that diamond. I was thinking I'd take this $40." He pauses, reassesses. "But I don't even have this money." Asked whether he has considered counseling for gambling addiction, he replies that he doesn't need it, because he can control his habit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeaaahhh Riiiight. He's totally in control.

[Vee Quiva]

By the way, couldn't you have asked for control over which pictures they run.

Unfortunately it is not exactly a flattering shot.

[phifediggy]

the excerpt about 2+2

[ QUOTE ]
While Brunson's skill arose from hard-bought experience, the slow grind of trial and error, Strasser's is book-learned, steeped in the rigorous writings of David Sklansky, which read like calculus textbooks. Strasser spends the small hours rehashing hands and refining strategy not in bars or around smoky card tables but in rapid-fire posts to the message boards maintained by Sklansky's publisher at TwoPlusTwo.com, a virtual clubhouse for bright twentysomething players.

[/ QUOTE ]

[diddle]

after reading the responses to the 43o NL thread, I don't think you need to worry about people improving after finding 2+2.

[pokerlaw]

Just read the article, pretty good compared to the NY Times cover story a month or so back. Two Plus Two was definetly portrayed in a flattering matter, unlike that Indiana Student - he made Worm seem put together.

[InkyWretch]

I liked the hypocrisy of SI in this issue.

The poker article was, basically, warning about the poker/gambling addiction that might (or might not) be gripping some college kids. (The HBO Real Sports story was even more damning.) But in the front of the magazine, there's a Q&A with Annie Duke that contains nothing but puffball questions.

[nate1729]

For amusement, a funny story, and some increase in mastery of the material.

[gergery]

As Ulysses become El Diablo,
So Jason Strasser must become Gollum

Let me be the first to suggest that inside photos from Sports Illustrated are only a short jump to covers of Playgirl magazine.

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
Wow. Uhhh...

Buy the magazine on newsstands today. If you have a subscription you can log in thru the website and read the premium content.

-Jason

[/ QUOTE ]

What issue? I looked yesterday (May 28) and saw the June eddition in stores. (After flipping through it for 5 minutes) I am pretty sure that is not the right one. Is it the May or the July issue you are in?

[mgsimpleton]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
which article?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is a big-ass article in the middle of SI about online poker, featuring the OP. There's also a banner on the cover highlighting the article. Tough to miss if you read the magazine.

I never thought I'd ever look at Dookies in a good light, but that article made them seem cool compared the Yale nerds that were also featured. I'd kill myself if I had to hang out with those people. "Witty" banter about poker math is just slightly less aggravating than a cactus between the cheeks.

[/ QUOTE ]

whoa. your mom. no, seriously. that's my comeback.

-vanessa
ex - yale nerd

[mgsimpleton]

also, i agree with jason that i don't see the need to defend the secrecy of 2+2. i'm grateful for it, it's helped me improve a lot and if others want to take it seriously, not be douchebags and post when they have terrible advice, and learn from it, then great.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Everyone:

First let me thank those of you who were featured in the article and mentioned us. It is very much appreciated. Also, Jason, I'm curious how Sports Illustrated found you to interview.

Now for my reaction. This is clearly a breakthrough article not only for us but for poker in general.

For many years, even though we sold a lot of books, we have never had influence in the "hype" market. What this meant was that while we built up a following among players, it was virtually impossible for us to deal successfully with other publishers, writers who were interested in producing something about poker, poker industry management, and more recently the TV show producers and advisors. With a few exceptions, it's like we didn't exist. Now comes this issue of Sports Illustrated.

Before the actual article starts there's the typical Annie Duke interview and of course early in the article there's the Doyle Brunson stuff and we're told how his book Super System is the most widely read poker book, something that I would strongly dispute. (I'm also willing to bet that there is virtually no one on these forums who is successful and who will point to that book or his new one as one of the main reasons why they have become strong winning players.)

But then something very unexpected happens. Jason Strasser starts talking about www.twoplustwo.com (http://www.twoplustwo.com), David Sklansky, and some of our books. All of a sudden, the Sports Illustrated authors begin to hear how most winning poker players really go about winning, and it's not by reading Super System or looking for tells. In addition, I bet when they first began to put this material together they had never heard of Two Plus Two, David Sklansky, or that David "deserves" a Noble Prize.

While the article did end on a negative note about the addicted player who continues to lose, it really presents poker in a more accurate and truthful way. They should have pointed out that before the poker boom, there were always a few people on campus who had problems and perhaps should have speculated whether poker increases or decreases these problems.

So thanks again to those of you who mentioned us. It is much appreciated, and thanks to Sports Illustrated for rising above the hype and reporting about poker in a more accurate and realistic way.

Best wishes,
Mason

[nolanfan34]

[ QUOTE ]
For many years, even though we sold a lot of books, we have never had influence in the "hype" market.

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember reading once that you posted that you guys have never sent out a press release. Do you think maybe there's a correlation there? If I misread that post, I apologize.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Nolan:

About three months age we hired a publicist who has been a complete flop, and when I say flop I'm not refering to three cards on the board.

Best wishes,
Mason

[That guy]

Given how popular poker has become on college campuses and your and David's academic/mathematical approach to poker, I would think that you could go lecture at a few large universities with ripple effects on revenues for 2+2...

[Benal]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wow. Uhhh...

Buy the magazine on newsstands today. If you have a subscription you can log in thru the website and read the premium content.

-Jason

[/ QUOTE ]

What issue? I looked yesterday (May 28) and saw the June eddition in stores. (After flipping through it for 5 minutes) I am pretty sure that is not the right one. Is it the May or the July issue you are in?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, same here. What's on the cover?

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wow. Uhhh...

Buy the magazine on newsstands today. If you have a subscription you can log in thru the website and read the premium content.

-Jason

[/ QUOTE ]

What issue? I looked yesterday (May 28) and saw the June eddition in stores. (After flipping through it for 5 minutes) I am pretty sure that is not the right one. Is it the May or the July issue you are in?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, same here. What's on the cover?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's the may 30 issue. Strange, found it at B&N 2 days after Target already had the June 4 issue up. There is a thing in the bottom right corner mentioning the poker thing. The cover is mostly white, with a small picture of a baseball player in the lower center.

Oh, and Strasser looks very different than I had pictured him.

[Equal]

It's a mostly white cover with a big black headline "Baseball's Incredibly Shrinking slugger"

[Jason Strasser]

Dare I ask what you pictured?

[lastsamurai]

STRASSA...
when i was in college all we did was look for beer and women! TOGA TOGA TOGA!

[thatpfunk]

I imagined you bigger (Daryn-esque)...

[mgsimpleton]

oh and by the way, can't believe how much you overplayed those pocket tens, boy ;-)

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
Dare I ask what you pictured?

[/ QUOTE ]

No so skinny and no so young and innocent looking. You are going to [censored] some live game players up if they judge you by appearance.

[Smarty]

The only thing that would have made the picture better would be if Strasser was making his "WTF did that guy just do" face at the table. It's classic.

[johnnybeef]

has anyone told you that you look like lloyd christmas from dumb and dumber?

[atarom]

[ QUOTE ]
oh and by the way, can't believe how much you overplayed those pocket tens, boy ;-)

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL That's what I was going to say.

Must have been a solid read. Good thing SI didn't see ya get busted.

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Jason:

I was called by Sports Illustrated on Tuesday May 24 and interviewed about collusion on Internet poker sites. I suspect that my comments would be to late to get into this issue.

Best wishes,
Mason

[/ QUOTE ]

What could you possibly know about collusion on Internet Poker sites?

[rocky13]

Enjoyed the article, however I disagree with the 83o BB all-in call. I just went though that and had a "pro" with 37o double me up nicely with my K8s. I understand the math, but what about common sense and positive expected value starting hands? The pro hurt himself trying to take me out. If he had any "reasonable hand", no problem. I like big stacks to call with anything, especially foolish big stacks, they are ATM's. I'm not calling Jason or anyone else who wants to call with 83 foolish, personally I would pick a better hand. I got stronger, the "pro" got weaker, our cash positons reversed from the 37o hand.

[highlife]

[ QUOTE ]
has anyone told you that you look like lloyd christmas from dumb and dumberer?

[/ QUOTE ]

corrected.

I think you can cut the "publicist" loose. If others found the SI article as interesting as I did, they will beat a path to your website. I have spent the last 3 days scouring the threads. I have found it entertaining and enlightening. It is also nice to know there are so many others out there that share common interests.

[RacersEdge]

Not sure what this means - but I found the mag just laying on top of the trash by my apartment mailboxes last weekend....lol, what a coincidence - I just picked up first becasue of the baseball article highlighted on the front..then saw the online poker stuff..

[sublime]

i had very little interest in readin this article at first, plus i never leave my house. so i missed it. is the online stuff for subscribers the same as magazine article? if so, can somebody hook me up?

[masse75]

[ QUOTE ]
Strasser spends the small hours rehashing hands and refining strategy not in bars or around smoky card tables but in rapid-fire posts to the message boards maintained by Sklansky's publisher at TwoPlusTwo.com, a virtual clubhouse for bright twentysomething players.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm 34, bald, gut, married. Where the [censored] is the clubhouse?

[sublime]

anybody hook me up?....see above post

[uuDevil]

Couldn't find it on their site, but here's a mildly entertaining alternative:

WSOP Observations (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/john_walters/06/09/campus.blitz/index.html)

[KKbluff]

[ QUOTE ]
Couldn't find it on their site, but here's a mildly entertaining alternative:

WSOP Observations (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/john_walters/06/09/campus.blitz/index.html)

[/ QUOTE ]

One highlight from this article:

[ QUOTE ]
6. Favorite non-poker moment: At a $10 blackjack table, one of the players stood up as his cards were being dealt and walked about 15 feet from the table. The dealer admonished him to return, but the man just stood there for about 10 seconds. Then he returned, and the dealer scolded him before asking why he'd left. The man looked at the dealer and said, "Next time I'll just announce to the entire table that I've gotta fart."

[/ QUOTE ]