Diary of a Mad Poker Player: A Journey to the World Series of Poker [Paperback]

Richard Sparks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2005

Chris Moneymaker parlayed $35 into the 2003 World Poker Championship of $2.5 million, and got players thinking, If he can do it, anyone can! Diary Of A Mad Poker Player is the story of one such player's journey to Las Vegas and the World Series of Poker, from March 30th - May 28th 2004. This is the heart of poker, where professional players are treated like rock stars, and tables are peopled by angry amateurs, cheats, insiders, legal experts, and Internet moguls. Here are up-to-the-minute, behind-the-scenes views of card-rooms and even poker websites, culminating in the greatest tournament of them all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...light, fun, and a joy to read..." -- Jan Fisher, Card Player Magazine

"Poker players have been waiting for an entertaining book like this for many years." -- Mike Caro, leading poker authority, strategist and writer

"Poker’s poet laureate... An insanely inventive treatise... A wit and insight that’s impressive for any genre." -- Mens Edge Magazine

"The late Hunter Thompson would have enjoyed Sparks' wild and memorable ride." -- Howard Schwartz, CasinoGaming.com

"There is not a weak chapter anywhere in the book..." -- Earl Burton, Pokernews.com

About the Author

Richard Sparks is an accomplished writer and director with extensive credits for British and American TV and theater. He has written lyrics for songs recorded by artists ranging from Placido Domingo to Monty Python's Eric Idle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Russell Enterprises (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888690240
• ISBN-13: 978-1888690248
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,259,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly Unique., November 30, 2005

By 

Bernard Chapin "Ora Et Labora!" (CHICAGO! USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diary of a Mad Poker Player: A Journey to the World Series of Poker (Paperback)

This is an extremely novel book as it is a first hand account of a journalist's obsession with poker and of his online attempts to procure a seat for the 2004 World Series. The narrator, Richard Sparks, spends the first half of the diary talking about the game in general and providing us with accounts of his own efforts to gain a seat. Sparks is a good writer and possesses a creative mind. One would never describe him as boring. Overall, it's an average+ book, although it could have been a better. Sparks pastes in too many conversations from online poker chat boxes, and does not devote enough pages to the 2004 WSOP event itself. There is, however, one section in which Diary transcends, and that is where we are made privy to the transcript of the interview he had with Sammy Farha. It's absolutely excellent. We learn more about the man in those few short pages than we do over the course of all his ESPN human interest moments. There are other titles to buy ahead of this one, but it's still enjoyable.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, May 9, 2005

By 

G. Flynn Bowie (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diary of a Mad Poker Player: A Journey to the World Series of Poker (Paperback)

Anyone who has ever played online poker and tried to win a seat in "the big one" will enjoy this book. Richard Sparks takes us along for the ride in the post-Moneymaker world of big-time poker as he tries to win a seat in the World Series of Poker. He explores the legitimacy and legality of online poker, the highs and lows of the game, and the rewards and consequences of America's new pasttime. And he does it in such an entertaining way! I thought it was awesome and highly recommend it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughing Without Losing, November 29, 2005

By 

Mark (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Mad Poker Player: A Journey to the World Series of Poker (Paperback)

"Diary" is terrific for learning the inside game of poker and laughing. There are very entertaining characters behind those reflector glasses and grain feed caps. I discovered important plays and strategies while enjoying the author's Monty Python-esque humor. Finally, my knowledge of "tells" has exceeded waiting for a gasp, heave or howl. I don't think amateurs or experts will be disappointed.