Telling Lies and Getting Paid: Gambling Stories

by Michael Konik

Book Overview

In Telling Lies and Getting Paid, the author again goes behind the scenes and into the action of the fascinating world of risk and reward. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585747416
• ISBN13: 9781585747412
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Beyond the Numbers

Konik's viewpoint on gambling goes betond the numbers and into the psychology and emotions that drive serious players. Many of the stories are about professional gamblers. These are pretty fantastic. My favorite however is about "Telling Lies and Getting Paid," which is a story about Konik's attempts to win the World Series of Poker, which obvioulsy he doesn't do or else he wouldn't be on the sidelines talking about the game on Fox television instead of playing in it! He's a very good writer, maybe in the top three. This is a must for anyone building their gambling book library.

Nothing Like It Out There

Warning. This book which is the second Konik collection of true gambling stories, is NOT a how-to-play textbook. The funny thing is I found myself learning more about how to gamble well the more I read the book which I have done twice now. The author gets deep into the psychology of gamblers but not in a dry sort of "what's wrong with these people" approach but with a expert reporters eye for details and characters. There are some fascinating characters in "Telling Lies and Getting Paid" although none of them quite matches the wierd guy in "Man With the $100,000 (...)" for craziness. The most fascinating "character" is the writer himself who plays in the World Series of Poker. This story, which is more like a short novel is worth buying the book alone. It's amazing. There's nothing like it out there at the moment.

Utterly Brilliant

Normally I'm not one to post reviews on the Internet but this book is so good I had to write something. I noticed some other reviwer who is probably a failed author himself make some snide comment about Mr. Konik being a poor writer who would not impress people with a "New Yorker" sensibility. Well, people I've been a New Yorker reader since before the Internet was invented, and I can tell you the author Michael Konik is as elegant and incisive as they come. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've read his work in the New Yorker over the years. Anyhow, low-stakes gambling is one of my favorite pastime. I'm an amatuer but I play regularly in a Wednesday night card game that's been going on and off for about 30 years, so I feel uniquely qualified to say that this is the best POKER book I've ever read. I was less interested in the other gambling stories, although they are admittedly very well-written.If you're like me and enjoy both gambling and utterly brilliant writing, then I recommend this book with the highest praise.

The Best

This is the best book I've ever read about gambling in general and poker in specific. Anyone even thinking of playing in the World Series of Poker should read Konik's account of playing in the Big One. He captures poker in a way I've never read before. Its very personal but very applicable to everyone at the same time, and that's why I would suggest this book to anyone. Some "big" words but very easy to read. Excellent.

MUST read

This is the most amazing book ever written about poker. Michael Konik gives you a chance to have a real taste of how it "feels" to be sitting on a poker table with all these big poker players in the World Series of Poker. His honest psychological analysis of the game gives this book a very original flavor. It's not about odds. It's about people. The main story is preceded by a bunch of entertaining stories about some of the most intriguing characters and casinos of the gambling world. If you have any interest in the gambling world, it is a MUST read. Konik's book will probably change the way you look at gambling.