Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"

Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"
Finally!

Well, it is nearly 7 months now after the promised release date but I am extremely happy to officially announce the release of my 2nd book, "Modern Small Stakes." This is indeed the long promised "CTM2." I chose to go with a completely different title because this is a completely different book. Modern Small Stakes focuses on higher limits (NL10-NL100) than Crushing the Microstakes (NL2-NL5). It is also far more advanced in theory and depth on every level. This book was infinitely harder to write and turned out to be double the length of its predecessor at over 500 pages.

When I first started to work on Modern Small Stakes about a year and a half ago I set a goal to write the best book ever written on these limits. I really felt (and still do) that the literature out there is really lacking at these stakes especially regarding today's games.

In retrospect this goal of mine was  probably a bit foolish because it made me demand perfectionism at every corner and ensured countless revisions and alterations of the text. It also made the length of the book far greater than I had originally planned. I felt that this was necessary though in order to get across everything that I wanted to say about these stakes.

These are two of the main reasons why it took so long for me to release this book. I sincerely apologize to all of those who have been waiting for months on end and asking for updates. On the bright side, I am confident that I accomplished my goal.

I believe that Modern Small Stakes will be a game-changer in the poker world for full ring and 6max small stakes NLHE cash games. It covers every aspect of the game at these limits in extensive detail from HUD setup, player type analysis, game selection, 3Betting, 4Betting, 5Betting, balancing your range, CBetting frequencies, barreling frequencies, bluffing frequencies, intentionally tilting other regs and so much more. With over 100 highly detailed examples involving real opponents and real situations at these stakes, every effort was made to explain how to translate the theory into practice.


Table of Contents 


Before I say anything else about the book let me post the table of contents so that you can get a better idea of what is included. The table of contents is featured below in the official Youtube release video for Modern Small Stakes.



Individual screenshots of all 14 pages of the table of contents are also listed below. 
(Click to Enlarge)


Modern Small Stakes BlackRain79

BlackRain79 Modern Small Stakes

BlackRain79 Modern Small Stakes

Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"

Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"

BlackRain79 CTM2

BlackRain79 CTM2

BlackRain79 2nd book

BlackRain79 2nd book

BlackRain79 2nd book

Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"

Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"

Announcing the Release of my 2nd Book "Modern Small Stakes"




The heart of Modern Small Stakes is teaching how to break down your opponent at these limits to the finest detail. This is why there is extensive discussion of effective HUD use throughout this book. In MSS I also assume that your opponents are reasonably good thinking regulars 95% of the time. Therefore, issues of balancing your range in all situations play a heavy role as well.

Whereas CTM consisted of a playbook macro type approach to exploiting the terrible players who populate the very lowest stakes, MSS is about micro managing versus fairly good players. What becomes evident to the reader early on in the book is that all players at these stakes really do have fairly significant leaks. They just aren't as readily noticeable as they are with the massive donkeys who dominate every table at the lowest limits.

This is why Modern Small Stakes is extremely example heavy (102 of them to be exact and roughly 50% 6max and 50% full ring). As you move up the stakes success becomes more and more about throwing the "standard play" out the window at times and finding the line that yields the highest EV for this particular opponent, in this particular situation. Therefore, there are a lot of outside the box, "advanced" or "fancy plays" suggested in this book. But they are always made for the right reasons.

My hope once again with Modern Small Stakes is that it takes your game to the next level. More precisely, that it improves your bottom line at the tables. This is why you will find the same linear and practical approach in this book as you did in CTM.

There is a vast amount of information presented in this book which covers every aspect of the game. Modern Small Stakes is by no means a casual read. It was created for people who take this game very seriously and are ready to put in the hard hours studying its contents and then applying it at the tables.

I want to thank everyone who supported me here on my blog, via email, on DTB, Facebook, Twitter and many other places throughout this (frankly insane) project. You helped me during the countless times in the past year when I didn't know if I would ever be able to finish this book.

Modern Small Stakes is massive and comprehensive. It was meant to be the "be all end all" definitive guide for these limits. It was absolutely the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. I am finally satisfied with it now though. I hope you are too.


Screenshots
(Click to Enlarge)

Modern Small Stakes BlackRain79

Modern Small Stakes BlackRain79
Modern Small Stakes BlackRain79

Modern Small Stakes BlackRain79

Modern Small Stakes Nathan Williams

Modern Small Stakes Nathan Williams

Modern Small Stakes Nathan Williams

Modern Small Stakes Nathan Williams




Retail Price $49.95
Your Price $29.95
You Save $20.00 (40%)
Modern Small Stakes Nathan Williams BlackRain79

Purchasing Options

1) Purchasing with a Credit Card or Debit Card

Click "Add to Cart" above. Choose "Checkout with Paypal" and then select "Pay with a debit or credit card, or Bill Me Later" on the next screen.

2) Purchasing with Paypal

Click "Add to Cart" above. Choose "Checkout with Paypal" and then enter your Paypal details on the next page.

3) Purchasing with Skrill

Please send $29.95 to nathan@blackrain79.com and then send me an email with your Skrill email address. I will reply with your copy of Modern Small Stakes attached ASAP.

If you have any questions concerning the payment process please email me at nathan@blackrain79.com and I will get back to you ASAP.

Modern Small Stakes Technical Details

  • Please be aware that Modern Small Stakes is only available in the PDF format right now. One of my first priorities will be to start working on the Kindle and iPad versions of the book. Just like before with CTM, when these are released they will be made available free of charge to all previous buyers.
  • Bonus materials that are likely to be released alongside Modern Small Stakes in the coming months will also be made available to all previous buyers at no cost.
Please leave a comment below or send me an email at nathan@blackrain79.com
if you have any questions about Modern Small Stakes.

Pages: 500
Word Count: 81,263
Copyright © 2014 by Nathan Williams

56 comments:

  1. Hey Blackrain, I've been waiting a long time for this. Really excited to see how this can change my game. This has gotten me motivated to get back on my grind and get those hands in. Many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey JJJJJJJJ,

      Thanks so much for your patience. I know it took forever to finish. I hope it was worth the wait :)

      Delete
  2. Hey black rain I'm a live player and I see alof of talk of HuDS will this be useful to the live player and at what stakes ? Or if someone who is extremely intimidated that's why I don't play online I never got comfortable with the HUD so I play live before I purchase can you email me at imakeutilt@yahoo.com I bought your first book there should be a small discount for those people . Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it's useful for live players I'll buy it at full price but only it's it'll be worth it. Could someone read this if they don't remember much from the first book too?

      Delete
    2. Hey lou,

      I do talk about this a little bit in the book actually. There is no doubt that Modern Small Stakes is very deep in HUD data and statistics. Similar to my first book, it was written more with the online game in mind because I am an online player.

      With that said, all of these HUD stats are really just the type of stuff that you should be paying attention to as a live player anyways. There is only so much pure theory that I can talk about because by the stakes covered in this book (NL10+ online/probably 5/10+ live) most people know the basics already. We therefore need some real reason to take an alternative line that might be more profitable.

      Overall this is a difficult question for me to answer especially as I am not a big live player myself. You have read my first book. There is quite a bit more use of HUD data when explaining hands in this book. I talk a lot about interpreting what different lines mean though as well which is something that is more pure theory based and perhaps better suited for a live player.

      Delete
  3. Hey Nathan,

    Congrats with the release! Just wondering do you accepts pokerstars transfer instead? :) Just can't cashout right now, no cash and can't wait to start off with the book..

    Thanks,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi teo,

      I can't accept Stars anymore for book purchases, just the 4 options above. Sorry about that. By the way, I will get to your emails soon, been a bit busy :p

      Delete
    2. np mate, will be getting this soon then..

      Delete
  4. Congratulations and tnx for all the work Nathan!
    The amount of info written in this book is amazing. Definetly worht buying. gl sir

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Nathan!

    Do you think it's worth it if I'm on the edge of NL10 and NL5 should I read your first book first and then read your second book? Or can I hop right into your second book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mike,

      It is pretty close if you are at those limits. I would say that CTM is the better choice if you play NL2 or NL5. Both books are useful at NL10. Definitely MSS for NL25 and higher. If you are having any kind of trouble at all right now at the stakes you are playing, then I would pick up CTM first. If you are breezing through then go for MSS.

      Delete
  6. Hi Nathan,

    CTM is the best poker book I've ever read in terms of tangible results. I've been stuck at NL10 for what feels like forever after crushing at NL5 with your help. I can't wait to get stuck into MSS and get over the hump.

    Also, I'd like to say thanks for all your hard work and for offering your expertise at such a reasonable price. I made back the cost of CTM within a few days, so it was more or less free! I can't wait to do the same with MSS.

    Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the kind words Martin. I hope MSS helps you break on through!

      Delete
  7. Hey Nathan, I've been reading your blog for a while now until recently I decided to purchase CTM and it has completely change the way I play. Hope to pass through the micro stakes soon to purchase this one :)

    Thanks a lot for everything and best of lucks to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jorge and all the best at the tables!

      Delete
  8. Nathan hello, my name is Luke and I have just purchased your new book, I live in Italy where the game has also grown to microstakes where more and more often I find that the fish even more than regular, I wanted to ask whether the terms of your new book are applicable also have micros. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi ORA,

      My newest book Modern Small Stakes is mostly about playing against decent and good players. My first book Crushing the Microstakes is more geared towards playing against bad players (fish). I hope this helps.

      Delete
  9. Hey, Nathan! Is there any chance that ur new book will be released in russian in the near future?
    As it was with CTM.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Neco,

      I don't have any plans to start doing any translations for my new book right now. It is possible in the future. It would be many months away at least though.

      Delete
  10. Congratulations Nathan! Hope this one will be as good and as sucessfull as CtM!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just got the new book Nathan, looks good !

    Looking to maybe pickup CTM and make sure I am crushin 2,4,5 NL first as you write early on.

    Do you have it in mobile as well ?

    Thanks,

    Kashclicks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also just looking at the FullRing opening ranges in MSS, are they much wider than I would find in CTM for 2 & 5 NL eg. ?

      Delete
    2. Hi Kash,

      Awesome, glad you like it! By mobile do you mean Kindle/iPad? If so, CTM comes in those formats. I will start working on it for my newest book very soon.

      The opening ranges in both books aren't that much different. They are a lot more detailed in MSS though.

      Delete
    3. Maybe give me a link for CTM, I will buy it in 7 days.
      I am just reverting back to 2 NL FR non/speed right now, lol, it is much more relaxed I must say.
      I was thinking the rfi ranges for this would be much tighter than in SSM.

      Thanks Nathan

      Delete
    4. Hey Kash, you can click the "CTM" tab at the top of this page to find out how to buy it. It will definitely apply very well to those NL2 games. All the best.

      Delete
  12. Congrats on finally finishing it. The contents page and screenshots look very impressive. I shall be ordering a copy at some point.
    Good luck with the sales campaign!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats and thank you Blackrain.
    Hope we will be able to speak about your book in your forum :)

    I have just noticed somethink a little bit strange :
    your EP opening range on 6 max is 13.4% and your ague that we can be looser than in full ring in this position. But in full ring, your advice in MP to raise 14.6%

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Robert,

      Yes, I will create the MSS discussion sub-forum soon for book buyers. It will be a private forum so let me know if your account is not upgraded.

      These numbers are definitely a bit arbitrary. I don't actually refer to a chart when I am playing poker. My EP open for full ring that is suggested in the book is about half what it is for 6max in that position.

      If I understand though you are comparing MP in full ring to EP in 6max because they are essentially the same position? Well 13.4 and 14.6 aren't that far apart. Again, just numbers. Focus on the gist of it what is said, not exact percentages.

      Delete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. When will your book come out in Kindle and do I get a discount if I get the PDF version now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know exactly when the Kindle version will be available. It is a very long book and I might have to hire a programmer again to do it properly. It is a priority of mine though. I will make it well known when it is released and it will be available at no charge to all previous buyers.

      Delete
  16. Nathan -I can't seem to get my question to stay on the page when I click "publish".
    I just want to know - will the book eventually be available on a regular printed version?
    I prefer my poker books on paper, but I *did* buy the e-version the day I got the notification.
    thanks,
    ed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ed,

      I don't have any plans right now to release MSS in a physical version. However, I haven't ruled it out completely.

      Delete
    2. Nathan,
      thanks. I know physical copies are expensive, and expose you to greater financial risk.
      I'm hoping enough people express an interest to make it worthwhile.
      Enjoying the book. I'm about 210 pages in, and have only seen one thing I'd change & two things I'd "tweak".
      Great work!

      Delete
    3. Thanks Ed,

      I will keep you posted and I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the book.

      Delete
  17. Willy Skrill Book ASAP ! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Willy = Will Buy? Hope you enjoy. Sorry about the wait once again!

      Delete
  18. Hello BlackRain79,
    I just watched your videos "Crushing the Micros" on DragTheBar.
    I play 0.01/0.02 stakes poker.
    Should I buy your new book or the old one?

    Thanks for answer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi gonliSs,

      For the stakes that you are playing my old book (Crushing the Microstakes) would be better. My new book covers higher stakes.

      Delete
  19. Hi Nathan
    Do you have a spanish version of your new book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Andres,

      My new book is only available in English right now. It is unlikely that I will be translating it into any other languages.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous02 October

    Hi Nathan,
    Do you consider writing book about micro/small MTT? Thanks to the Crushing the Microstakes I am wining player now, but I dream about some winings in MTT also, which looks like something impossible.

    Thanks for anser,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Aleksander,

      It is unlikely that I will ever release a book about MTTs simply because I am not an expert in them. I am a cash game player. I am glad that CTM has helped you so much!

      Delete
  21. Anonymous13 October

    Hi Nathan, thank you for writing those two books ! I'm halfway with MSS, the examples are really good, it makes much more sense to me now, key things I wasn't thinking about, feels like I was playing in the dark sort of speak. There is a lot of key material in MSS and I want to read it more than once, I have a Kobo, I remember CTM had a Kobo version and it gave me the chance to read it on the way to work on the bus. Are you planning a Kobo version for MSS ?

    Thank You

    Vincent

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vincent,

      Glad to hear that you are enjoying my new book. I know that there is a lot of information in there. Sometimes I think that it might be too overwhelming. Good to get feedback like yours though. I am still working on the alternate versions for the book. I know that I need to get it happening. I will make it well known when it does.

      Delete
  22. Hi Nathan, I'd like to know if the book talks about zoom tables? I'm building my career in this format.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Luis,

      I think I mention Zoom briefly at a few points but not regarding a different strategy if that is what you mean. I don't think you are ever going to find a poker book with a focus specifically on this format because the strategical differences from the regular tables just aren't anywhere near large enough to warrant it.

      Delete
  23. Hi Nathan, I bought the book and have a question: this strategy (6max) of 3bets against unknown opponents is enough to hit the limit without HUD? Currently i'm playing 6max zNL10

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Luis,

      What do you mean by "hit the limit"?

      Delete
  24. hit the limit = overcome this limit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I would never really recommend not using a HUD in today's games but against unknowns yes I think the recommendations are fine. I prefer to 3Bet them quite heavily especially in spots where the action is around the button. We will get more credit because it is a first encounter.

      Delete
  25. Do you have a spanish version of your new book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry but Modern Small Stakes is only available in English. I do not have any plans to translate it right now.

      Delete