Rating: 
Summary: True Stories
Review: ...Make a trip to Artichoke Joe's in San Bruno, CA and you will see the guy mentioned. I saw him about 3 months or so ago. The man has breasts!In any case the sequel is not quite the equal of the first. It's a collection of short stories rather than a novel so I'm not sure what building suspense or "weaving" has to do with it. The stories are entertaining and funny.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome
Review: Every once in while a writer such as Michael Konik elevates Poker to artistic and emotional heights reserved for exceptional feats of art AND science. Spanier, Alvarez and Holden are other names of such conjurors who come to mind. Like Sir Holden, Mr. Konik also is cursed with the helpless realization that inconsequential to his passion, and Matrix-like aptitude for Poker, he too shall never ascend to "physiological ascendancy" long enough to seize the Bracelet - not yet at least. Fortunately for us, his reluctant affinity to his "day job" will provide us the memorable glimpses into an intellect, a game, and a perspective that would otherwise remain cloaked by the trite interpretations of the Discovery/Learning/Travel channels, and kept regretfully shrouded in obscurity. Michael does a superb job in this book about varied and unique gambling experiences which culminate into the grandest story of all:
His own WSOP heroics (or lack thereof), interwoven with the raw trials of his inner-demons (or goddesses in his case). This latter and final segment of the book is a brilliant piece of writing that transforms Poker, with all its nuances, humility, "brute" refinement and fragility into Magic. Just when you think Poker can evoke only images of banal-minded, leather-"butts" that haven't washed their hands since three infections ago, nor read anything that didn't include a chapter or blurb on "check-raising UTG", Michael Konik uses eloquent references to Gericault, Milton and Goethe (naming but a few), shedding revealing insight into his own 'raison d'être', all the while exalting the virtues of a truly remarkable game. This is definitely a must-read/must-own book appealing to readers of both intellectual and poker-aficionado qualities (especially for those gifted with the philosophical capacitates to appreciate the a posteriori relationship between "tabula rasa" and sizing up the guy in seat#2). If you read this book just for the stories outside the Poker world, you'd still be doing yourself a huge favour, and by accident discover the best account of pocket 3's I think I've ever come across. ...
Rating:
Summary: Best Anecdotal based book on Gambling ever written.
Review: From sports betting to the "luckiest guy in the world" to the World Series of Poker -- this is a great book if you like stories about gambling and the characters that make their subculture so interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading
Review: Getting ready to make my first entry into the World Series of Poker. Konik's book was highly recommended by a friend whose played in the Big one three times (made money two years ago)and he said it won't teach you how to win the tournament but it'll put into words everything people feel/think when they're involved in the ultimate poker compertition. Totally agree. If you're gonna play in a poker tournament especially the Series, you should read "Telling Lies". Finally I found a book that captures what its all about. Also excellent stories about backgammon and blackjack. Mr. Konik great job. I'm gonna want an autograph at the World Series. See ya at the final table!
Rating:
Summary: Oh My God!
Review: I'm speechless. I read the one about the Binion's murders and playing in the world championship of poker and I thought that it was an extremely sophisticated look at the world of gambling. Then I read Konik's take on playing in the World Championship of cards and I'm speechless. I don't know if I want to cry or laugh or just read it all over again. If you play cards you need to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: If you've ever made a bet, buy this book
Review: It's about time that a world-class writer told the world what it feels like when a semi-degenerate gambler and sorta-professional hustler parlays a couple hundred bucks into a legitimate shot at winning the World Series of Poker. When you read Mr. Konik's recap of his unbelievable adventure into the underbelly of Vegas while trying to undermine an army of suckers and scamsters, you'll think that you're reading a Hollywood script, except that it's all true. The other stories in "Telling Lies" feature larger-than-life gambling characters who really exist and really really make me wish I hadn't wasted my education on college. For my money, this one of the 10 best gambling books ever written and maybe the finest first-person account of what it feels like to actually bet it all and.......Naw, you gotta read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Knowledgeable and Genuine
Review: Konik covers quite a bit in this book...the many aspects of gambling from all over the world, but this is more than gambling. I'm referring to the title story of the book, "Telling Lies and Getting Paid." I was surprised to read how the author (bravely, I should add) opened himself up so much. This is more than just a fellow taking on the World Series of Poker, this is a guy who is trying to pick himself up after dealing with the most difficult situation in his life and doing his best to contend and fight back. He marks his failures and his achievements at the poker table and in life and contemplates the hand he played. The details are fascinating. The parallel story is deftly written, but more importantly it emotes a feeling that we should all relate to...life, love is all a big gamble. The author gets it. He may have learned the hard way, but he's lived to tell it and he's told it well. This is a genuine life story, a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Knowledgeable and Genuine
Review: Konik covers quite a bit in this book...the many aspects of gambling from all over the world, but this is more than gambling. I'm referring to the title story of the book, "Telling Lies and Getting Paid." I was surprised to read how the author (bravely, I should add) opened himself up so much. This is more than just a fellow taking on the World Series of Poker, this is a guy who is trying to pick himself up after dealing with the most difficult situation in his life and doing his best to contend and fight back. He marks his failures and his achievements at the poker table and in life and contemplates the hand he played. The details are fascinating. The parallel story is deftly written, but more importantly it emotes a feeling that we should all relate to...life, love is all a big gamble. The author gets it. He may have learned the hard way, but he's lived to tell it and he's told it well. This is a genuine life story, a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Tijuana Times, Gives 2 Thumbs Up
Review: Mr. Konick really does it this time. Masterfully written Mr. Konick knows what he is writing about. Hey I've read 3 times know. Let there be a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book Written About Gambling
Review: My only complaint is that it WON'T teach you how to win the World Series of Poker since I'm not giving away anything to say that the author doesn't win the Big One which he writes about. Besides from that, this is the gambling book that all other gambling books have to test themselves against. What a writer! Also enjoyed his MAN WITH $100,000 BREASTS which is the second best gambling stories book.
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