From Publishers Weekly
Moneymaker's improbable 2003 victory at the World Series of Poker (where he was an untested amateur player) has been seen on ESPN's WSOP series as many times as a Seinfeld rerun. Here, with veteran coauthor Paisner, Moneymaker (the publisher insists this is his real name) presents a blow-by-blow, hand-by-hand account of the experience. Unlike James McManus in Positively Fifth Street, Moneymaker eschews analyzing the psychology and milieu of the poker world in favor of his real interest: gambling. The result is a sophisticated deconstruction of the important hands Moneymaker played as the tournament progressed, many already famous among fans of the WSOP. For connoisseurs, this offers an entertaining and insightful insider analysis that will allow them to decide for themselves whether Moneymaker was fabulously lucky or played a skillful game and thus deserved his success. For the uninitiated, the excitement of Moneymaker's progression toward the big prize will be enough to thoroughly engage. Readers also get some surprisingly candid glimpses into a gambler's consciousness--one that reflects the myth of American exceptionalism, the idea that each of us is entitled to make and to break our own rules, and to make our own luck. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* With all the poker how-to books available now, why another one? Well, this one is more about the story than about the cards. Moneymaker (yes, that's his name, and he's teased about it every day) was just a guy who played cards. When he earned a seat to play in the World Series of Poker by putting up only $40 through an online casino, he figured he'd be relegated to the "coulda" camp by the middle of day one. Instead, he went on to win that illustrious series, picking up a cool $2.5 million. Overcoming first-day jitters, sitting with his heroes, learning from the pros--Moneymaker describes it all with glee and, even now, with a sense of unbelief, the feeling that he can't believe it really happened. That's the beauty of this story: Moneymaker is an Everyman for the gambling ages--if he could do it, why not me? It's no wonder Internet gaming is at an all-time high, with true-life rags-to-riches stories like this one to inspire us. With the help of coauthor Paisner, Moneymaker details the key hands of the tourney and his feelings as each day's play concludes and the next one begins. The account ends with a brief bio of the author's life since his victory. Some standard back matter, including a what-beats-what list and a glossary, round out this thoroughly entertaining book. A must for any gambling collection. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
In 2004 the number of entrants -- and the winning pool -- at the World Series of Poker tripled, thanks in large part to Chris Moneymaker, an amateur player who came out of nowhere to win the 2003 Series, and prove to newcomers and poker pros alike that anything is possible with a chip and a chair.
Moneymaker was a young accountant from Tennessee who loved to gamble but only took up cards after college. Three years later he was playing a $40 game of online Texas Hold 'Em and won a coveted seat at the 2003 World Series of Poker. Borrowing money to get to Las Vegas, he entered his first real-time tournament and spent the next four days battling for a top spot at the final table.
Filled with everything from his early gambling ventures to a play-by-play of his major hands at the World Series of Poker, Moneymaker is a gripping, fast-paced story for anyone who has ever dreamed of winning it big.
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