Customer Reviews

Dummy Up And Deal: Inside The Culture Of Casino Dealing (Gambling Studies Series)

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

 

 

This wonderful collection of non-fiction accounts on the other side of the table is a true and accurate look at what makes the casinos tick: not the people who come with the money, but the people who take it. Lee Barnes has a gift and it is to conjure so many voices into one cohesive book. It is funny, sad, and terrible. If you ever wanted to know who lives in Las Vegas, read this.

This book is outstanding and should be required reading for all prospective casino dealers. It sheds light on the many situations that dealers faced in the past and some that they still face today. It was funny, sad, depressing and even a few moments of hope and redemption in the lives of these brokers of chance.

The book is a compilation of true stories of people that are in the casino industry, telling in first person accounts of their experiences with breaking in the business, work relationships, getting fired, theft, etc. The longest stories might be 6 or 7 pages and the shortest ones are less than a page.

The book lists many events of former or present dealers. However, the book fails to identify the various phrases used throughout. There is a glosery at the end, but you may not find it until you finish the book. There is much repetition.

I'm a dealer myself, and it's true that this book shows you the inside of the business like no other does. You REALLY get how it REALLY works.
My problem is that it is only a chain of stories, one after another. It ends up being quite boring if you read it in a row.

An interesting book, but to read pieces by pieces.

Though the writer is obviously gifted, and the stories are without a doubt amusing and accurately detailed, the author seems distant from his characters.

The author seems to stay un-involved and to coldly inspect his subjects as though they were fireflies in Mason jars, or butterflies on pins.

The writing is superb, but the lack of involvment in the characters inner workings and lives, leaves these stories sounding like a girlfriend repeating a soap opera in the office, to someone who missed an episode.

I'll lay off with these last words. The author should look into his own heart and write real, breathing characters, not try to bring to life cardboard cutouts. No matter how excellent it is, it must heart. This book does not have heart, though it does have plenty of good writing.