Customer Reviews

Comped

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After reading this book,you'll think twice about that. It's been a longtime sence a book really got to me! I was flying with the highs and crashing with the lows. It's a modern-day, David and Goliath story, only in this one , Dave runs out of chips. I would highly recommend this book to all those knuckleheads who write books on how to beat the casinos, and those who live in states where your politicians are pushing to legalize casino gambling.

I'm on the fence with this one...

The gambling action is fantastic: descriptions of the highs and lows are very good, true to their volitile and destructive form, and are finally, very authentic. A very insightful and unencumbered perspective into pathological gambling is offered from a very interesting angle. Maybe it's the Atlantic City 'patois', but I wasn't too impressed with the dialog -- it was a little over-the-top, and more testosterone-driven than what I'd expected - certainly from what I've seen personally from the `regulars' of the high limit gaming areas. At times, it felt like "The Fast and the Furious" meets "The Gambler".

Atypical of your textbook pathological gambler, who is normally very reserved and diminutive in nature, the main character acts a little outside the profile of what I think is consistent with such a character. I have a slight issue with the title, but I can occasionally see the argument for it, and thus overlook it. The book improves considerably towards the end, picking up manic rhythm and interest just as the pathology is in full bloom. The last chapters are wonderful! Overall, I would offer this book as an interesting read and recommend it.

So, I guess I'm on the "buy it anyway" side of the fence. There aren't many books like it, and if you're into gambling literature, it's certainly worth its place in your collection. BUT NOTE: I didn't get my copy of the book from Amazon; however, if it's the same, be weary of the pages falling out once they're turned over. Quality of the physical publication isn't very strong.

Could not put this book down. Very well written and the story is very interesting from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book. This is a story many people can relate to.

An intriguing look at gambling compulsion and how the casino's (this being set in Atlantic City) feed into, with no regard, this very dangerous addiction. Kearney pulls no punches and gives a not so publized account of all that can go wrong when you become emmersed in the "high roller" life style. Though the story has a very powerful point, it is full of humerous stories of the main character Richie V's exploits that had me shaking my head. Living close to Atlantic City myself and being an occassional gambler, it will make me think twice about my next "just for fun" trip down there.

i am an avid reader and it thrills me to finally read a masterpiece that dares to take a risk and write about something that i feel the journalism world was starving for.Finally a story with depth and weight.A story thats believable yet unbelievable at the same time.Kearney is definitely a talent to be reckoned with.Where has he been all this time?I admire his courage and frankness on how he exposes the casino industry for what it really is.Also how he makes you become almost as one with the main character Richie V.The supporting cast especially the "bulbers" as he calls them is the glue that keeps the story fresh.I feel this work is a must read for everyone,not just for an inside view of how the casinos really operate but as a novel by an author with remarkable talent.

ONCE YOU START READING "COMPED" YOU CAN'T PUT IT DOWN UNTIL
YOU HAVE FINISHED IT. ALL PEOPLE WHO FREQUENT THE GAMBLING
CASINOS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. THE AUTHOR IS TRYING TO SHOW
THE METHODS THAT THE CASINOS USE TO LURE THE PATRONS INTO
THE ADDICTIVE WORLD OF GAMBLING, AND HOW IT CAN DESTROY YOUR
LIFE. THE BOOK WILL MAKE A GREAT MOVIE!!!

I have experienced the horror that arrives when a family member has a gambling addiction. It's a shame that this book didn't come out sooner! it just might have saved a few poor souls who also considered themselves High Rollers in Atlantic City. I have read alot of books on gambeling addiction, but nothing like this one. I especially enjoyed the first chapters and the incredible way Kearney writes the childhood and successful businessman life of his main character Richie V. And once he moves you into the casinos of Atlantic City, well you better not need sleep. I gave it to my brother, who like myself couldn't put it down. We'd both like to thank Mr. Kearney for bringing some closure to our lives.
Nadine G

I bought this book thinking that maybe the author could show me how to get better "comps," but after I finished reading it, well, I guess you could say, I got the "comp" of life. I never gambled for the amount of money the main character Ricrie V. did, but I've tapped out a few credit cards in the casinos on more than one occasion. The week after I read "COMPED," I took a trip to Atlantic City. I wish I could say that I didn't gamble, but I did, and if your wondering, I broke even. And if you belive that, than you better read this book.

Incredible and extremely well written. Every once in a while I will get a book and within a couple of months I will read it just to pass the time. Comped immediately captured me and I couldnt put it down. All day I was looking forward to the next time I was able to read it. I finished the book in 3 weeks and wanted to read more. One of the best books I have ever read. You have not read a book until you have read Comped

After working over 20 years in the casino industry I thought I had seen
and
heard it all. But after reading this book, I feel and wished that I had
never worked in it at all. I've seen many people get on what Kearney
calls
the casino ladder, but never knew, or cared, of what price they paid as
they
dreamed to reach the top. I don't know where Kearney got his story, but
like
the casinos themselves, he's on the money.