Insights from D&B Publishing's Byron Jacobs on the Art of Poker Book Publishing

D&B Publishing stands as a leading force behind a number of most successful poker books renowned poker titles in today’s landscape, and Lee Davy had the opportunity to speak with its co-founder, Byron Jacobs, to find out more about their success.

As I delved into the history of influential poker literature, one name continually emerged: D&B Publishing.

D&B Publishing has produced several iconic poker titles, including the following:

Moorman’s Book of Poker by Byron Jacobs (Ranked #11, noted for its focus on online poker strategies)

Expert Heads Up No Limit Hold'em, Volume 1 by Will Tipton (Ranked #17, recognized as the top heads-up strategy book)

Excelling at No-Limit Hold’em by Jonathan Little and associates (Ranked #26)

What are their keys to success, and what guidance can they offer to aspiring poker writers? I spoke with Byron Jacobs to gather insights.

Great Advice for Writers

As an expert in publishing, what do you believe are the essential elements of a remarkable poker book?

"From a player's perspective, I desire a poker book that reveals information I haven't encountered before. Alternatively, even if it covers concepts I'm familiar with, I might appreciate a refresher or a new way of understanding that makes it stick. We’re currently working on a book by Alex Fitzgerald, slated for summer release (The Myth of Poker Talent). He has a knack for presenting insights in novel and engaging manners that knowledgeable players often struggle to retain. Certainly, while well-organized and well-crafted writing is essential, ultimately, the goal is to provide information that can translate into profit at the poker tables.\"

What common traits do the best authors you've collaborated with share?

"The top authors exhibit a deep commitment to perfecting their work. They possess insight into the knowledge they acquired during their learning phases and are adept at imparting this to others. Generosity shines through as they strive to empower fellow players. Their motivation isn't merely financial gain but rather a desire to foster knowledge in the poker community, avoiding rushed, uninspired content for quick profits.\"

If a poker enthusiast is contemplating writing a book, why should they choose to go through a publisher instead of opting for self-publishing?

"Self-publishing has its merits, yet reaching a broad audience can be challenging without a significant marketing effort. Partnering with a credible publisher (the best option available) provides instant access to established marketing and distribution resources. Our brand enjoys global reach that isn't easily matched by simply creating print-on-demand copies or uploading an e-book. Choosing a reputable publisher offers authors the advantage of a comprehensive system tailored for producing, promoting, and selling poker-related literature (alongside audio, video, etc.). Most poker writers aren't primarily motivated by profit, even though they can earn income; their priority often lies in building their personal brand, and aligning with a well-respected publisher is undoubtedly the most effective avenue to achieve that.\" D&B Poker What advice would you give to poker players aspiring to write a book?

"You must start by answering a critical question: What will motivate someone to purchase your book? This needs to be a precise answer. Simply piecing together random material and hoping it forms a coherent narrative will not suffice. Create a structured outline, then revisit and refine it again. Producing a high-quality book is a labor-intensive undertaking. Without a solid framework established before diving in, the project may either falter or become overwhelming. Having a collection of notes, hands, and ideas is beneficial, but when it comes to crafting the book, a plan is essential.\"

Many poker books have been developed as series (like the iconic Harrington on Hold’em). What suggestions do you have for authors considering this format?

"Pre-planning is crucial. We've launched successful series in the past; they tend to resonate well with readers who appreciate the first installment and are likely to seek out subsequent volumes. However, quality and coherence must be maintained. If the first volume serves as a theoretical framework, the second should logically advance the discussion with practical applications.\"

Why do you believe there is a scarcity of biographies and memoirs in poker, despite the quality of those that do exist?

Choosing the Right Subject Matter

"Two elements must align: first, an intriguing personality with diverse experiences, and second, their ability to articulate those experiences compellingly, particularly in the poker context. I've come across fascinating individuals whose biographies were disappointingly dull. A good memoir should feel like a lively conversation where the author passionately shares captivating stories. Unfortunately, few succeed in that regard. I should mention that we have an incredible biography of Mike Sexton set to be released shortly!\"

Which types of poker books would you consider the hardest to write?

"This perception can vary from person to person, but I believe that theoretical works pose significant challenges. Crafting a top-tier theoretical book necessitates extensive organization and thorough effort.\"

What specific types of draft submissions do you commonly reject?

"Usually, it's content that lacks clear direction. When authors approach with vague proposals, such as 'I could add this or do that, and readers will love it,' it raises red flags. I prefer submissions that feature a clearly defined structure, a contents outline, and tangible reasons for the book's desirability.\"

Why aren't there more books covering the essential aspects of the mental game and other non-technical areas in poker (such as Mental Game of Poker and Yoga of Poker)?

"This domain is gradually evolving. We've published a mental game title (Positive Poker by Patricia Cardner and Jonathan Little) and have another release scheduled for this summer entitled 'Peak Poker Performance'. I foresee this market growing further in the near future.\"

Many poker players I spoke to for my book project hadn't read any poker literature yet achieved remarkable success in the game. What are your thoughts on this?

Learning from Poker Books

"It’s likely they've consumed a wealth of video content or actively participated in online forums. Today, there are multiple avenues to acquire skills like poker. However, I strongly believe that nothing surpasses the value of a well-crafted instructional poker book. You might say I have a bias as a publisher, but I'm fervently committed to this notion. While videos (which we also produce alongside our books) and audio content have their place, reading a book is an active engagement that demands interaction with the material presented. If you get distracted on page 33, you'll remain there, while a video can play on passively, leaving you potentially oblivious to missed lessons. Don't misunderstand – videos are valuable, and I’ve utilized countless ones. Yet, I am confident that my learning from books far surpasses that gained from videos.\"

What poker book do you wish was written, and what makes it appealing to you?

"I enjoy books where top players articulate their thought processes during gameplay. That’s what we aimed for in Moorman’s Book of Poker, and I believe it succeeded. I would love to see a book in which a top player recounts their journey through a major tournament, detailing critical hands and decision-making processes. Such a narrative merges the thrill of the event with insights into the focus and strategy of elite players. Any champion with documented hand histories should definitely reach out!\"

How do classic poker books from the Harrington era compare to contemporary works like your collaboration with Moorman?

"The Harrington series is undeniably excellent, and it would be foolish to claim otherwise. However, these works truly reflect the era from which they emerged, which is now roughly a decade ago. Anyone who has actively competed in the last 15 years will recognize that poker theories have advanced significantly. Modern literature (including ours, I believe) incorporates these developments. Concepts such as building betting, checking, and check-raising ranges based on various board textures—now standard for proficient players—were scarcely addressed or only briefly touched upon in those earlier texts.\"

Why have we not seen a larger volume of literature focused on mixed poker games? poker \"This primarily boils down to the law of supply and demand. Producing a high-quality poker book requires substantial time and resources, leading publishers like us to prioritize projects with strong market potential to ensure adequate sales. When examining online poker, it is evident that while popular games attract tens of thousands of players, niche games often struggle to find enough active players.\"

What are the top five poker books that have had the most profound impact on you?

888poker interviews Byron Jacobs, one of the pioneers of D&B Publishing, to uncover how they have managed to release some of the most impactful poker literature in recent times.

Unveiling the Secrets to Crafting an Exceptional Poker Book

Byron Jacobs from D&B Publishing Discusses the Art of Poker Book Publishing Excelling at No Limit Holdem D&B Publishing has been responsible for creating a variety of critical poker literature that has shaped the industry, and Lee Davy had a chance to talk with one of their co-founders, Byron Jacobs, to explore their insights.

Looking to the Future of Poker Books

As I searched for the most significant poker literature throughout history, D&B Publishing continually emerged as a noteworthy contender.

Among its many achievements, D&B Publishing has been the creative force behind several iconic poker titles – just to highlight a few:

"As a player, I seek books that provide insights I haven’t encountered before. Alternatively, it could be familiar concepts, but framed in a way that reinforces my understanding or presents them more clearly. For instance, we have an upcoming book by Alex Fitzgerald, titled The Myth of Poker Talent, slated for release this summer. He excels at this by finding innovative methods to articulate vital information that strong players need to grasp but often struggle to retain. Sure, good structure and writing are vital, but ultimately, what you really want is information that will increase your winnings at the tables.\"