Big Deal - Anthony Holden

Took me 3 days to finish this book, cos it is utterly utterly brilliant, especially for gamblers, or more specifically, poker players.

A bit rushed to write a proper review, but basically Anthony Holden is a journalist by trade and a keen amature poker player. One year he somehow wins his entry fee ($10,000) comes 90th in the World Poker Championships in Las Vegas. He vows to return next year and do better, and as preparation spends one year as a pro poker player playing the circuit. Along the way he meets many characters, he explores the appeal and history of the game. He also searches in his own past and psyche to find out why he and many others are so obsessed with the card game.

Any gambler with relate to his tales, but any poker player with recognise themselves in Holden's book. Poker games come to life and you are almost shaking when he describes the "flop", as you are playing through Holden's eye and hold his cards, counting the chips... Compelling stuff.