Bad Timing: A Tale of Poker Books and Unexpected Events
In the world of professional poker, timing is everything. Authors Barry Carter and Jared Tendler experienced this firsthand when they published their first book, “The Mental Game of Poker,” only to have it coincide with the infamous Black Friday incident. Black Friday marked the day when the US government shut down two major poker sites, PokerStars and Full Tilt. Despite their initial fears about the impact of this event on book sales, “The Mental Game of Poker” went on to become a groundbreaking work on the psychology of poker and one of the best-selling poker books in recent history.
Fast forward eight years, and Barry Carter finds himself facing a similar dilemma with the release of “Poker Satellite Strategy,” co-authored with Dara O’Kearney. This time, it was the introduction of a new satellite format by Matt Savage that threatened to overshadow their book. The new format revolutionized traditional satellites by awarding seats based on reaching a specific target stack rather than outlasting opponents. Initially apprehensive about the potential impact on their book, Barry and Dara discovered that the strategic differences were not as significant as they had feared. As the new format gained popularity over the years, they updated “Poker Satellite Strategy” to include a chapter on the differences and released a video to address the evolving landscape of satellite poker.
Despite the success of the new satellite format, confusion abounds regarding its various iterations. Different operators use different names for the format, such as landmarks, targets, milestones, and 100k satellites. The main point of contention lies in what happens to surplus chips when a player surpasses the target stack. Operators have implemented various solutions, including allowing players to keep extra chips, removing them from the tournament, distributing them to other players at the table, or redistributing them to players who saw the river in the winning hand. These differences create a non-linear relationship between chips and value, leading to complex decision-making scenarios as players approach the target stack.
Despite the complexity of the new satellite format, Dara O’Kearney highlights that many strategies from traditional satellites still apply. Calculating one’s chance of winning a seat remains a key skill, with the simplicity of determining this percentage based on the current stack percentage of the target stack. While the new format aims to address issues such as stalling and collusion prevalent in traditional satellites, its effectiveness in rewarding loose and aggressive play remains a point of contention among players.
One of the key advantages of the new satellite format is its faster pace, resulting in lower labor costs for tournament organizers. However, this efficiency comes with its own set of challenges, such as the need for tournament staff to manage exits and verify chip counts at an accelerated rate. While the format offers a streamlined experience for players and organizers, it also introduces strategic nuances that require careful consideration and adaptation.
In conclusion, the evolution of satellite poker reflects the ever-changing landscape of the game. While unexpected events and innovations may pose challenges for authors and players alike, adapting to these changes and embracing new strategies can lead to success in the dynamic world of professional poker.