When Stuey "The Kid" Ungar took his first World Series of Poker title, one journalist asked him what he would do with the money. His answer: "Gamble it". Stuey grew up among the hoodlums and wiseguys of New York's Lower East Side. A pint-sized high-school drop out who never worked a day in his life, never had a bank account or paid a dime in taxes, he lived to gamble and became the world's most feared card player. Before he was 10, he was playing cards and shooting dice with local waiters and busboys - and taking home their wages. By the age of 13, he was backed by the mob and beating the best players in the city. But it was only when he hit Las Vegas that Stuey discovered the game that made his name. In 1980, he became the youngest player to lift the World Series Title. In 1981, he did it again, becoming the youngest player to win the tournament back to back. In 1997, when everyone thought his talent had been destroyed by years of hard living and drug abuse, he won the World Series for an unprecedented third time. The following year he was found dead in the Oasis Motel with USD800 in his pocket. Drawing on 100s of hours of taped conversations with Ungar, as well as exclusive interviews with everyone who knew him, this is the definitive story of his brutal, prodigious talents - of the multi-million dollar fortune won and lost; his legendary sports wagers (he blew USD80,000 the first time he picked up a golf club - without leaving the putting green); the addictions that consumed him; and one of the greatest phoenix-from-the-ashes comebacks of all time.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'It's a fluent almost cinematic tale of poker legends, gangsters and tragic relationships.' -- Andrew Kaye METRO (17.8.05) 'He was thin, scruffy drug addict who just happened to be the best poker player that's ever lived.' -- Henry Sutton MIRROR (26.8.05) **** 'This book, compiled by two Vegas insiders who can play poker almost as well as they can write, is the compelling story of an all-American shooting star, a man prepared to bet everything in his pocket - and more - on the turn of a card. No poker hom should be without it, if only to warn off the kids.' -- Anthony Holden MAIL ON SUNDAY (25.9.05) 'every now and then you come across a real book, written by a real writer about a real person - and this is it. Whether you are an avid poker player, have a passing interest or neither you would meed a heart of stone not to be moved by this story of an ordinary boy who grew up in the wrong place at the wrong time and literarllu beat the odds to come through it all only to be beaten finally by his inner demons.' CASINO LIFE
About the Author
Nolan Dalla has been a gambler since childhood and is now a professional poker player and writer. He lives in Las Vegas. Peter Alson is a journalist and author of the highly acclaimed memoir Confessions of an Ivy League Bookie. He lives in New York. Peter Alson is the author of the highly acclaimed memoir Confessions of an Ivy League Bookie. A writer and journalist, Alson's work has appeared in a wide range of national magazines and newspapers form The New York Times to Esquire and Playboy. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Glimpse Into a Troubled Poker Genius,
By
This review is from: Man Behind the Shades (Hardcover)
Anyone reading this review will already know about the legendary Stu Ungar, the only person to ever win 3 WSOP Main Events in the no limit hold em format. After reading this, you'll know why he didn't win it a fourth or fifth time (which he could have done).
I'm very thankful that Stu agreed to do this book before he passed away. He began speaking with the author only a few months before he died, and this book took several more years before it was completed. It was put together extremely well. He led a very unusual life. If you told me this was a fictional book, then I'd tell you they went overboard with the story, as much of it is just unbelievable. As it is, all of it is true and therefore mind-boggling. Stu should know that allowing his life to be laid out in this book is very helpful. It leaves us with a better of understanding of his accomplishments and his downfalls. It also allows us to get to know him, in the only way possible, through this book. Drugs robbed him, his family, and all of us enthusiasts of the greatest mind to ever play poker or gin. His story will speak to those who aren't into cards as well. We all want a story that turns out rosie in the end, but here all that is left is what was. Long Live Stuey "the Kid" Ungar, may you finally have the fulfillment that you sought time and time again in this life.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stu Unger,
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This review is from: Man Behind the Shades (Hardcover)
He was a very interesting man. Met him once at a casino I worked at in SoCal back in 1994 or 1995. He was kicked out for doing coke in the bathroom (I was told). I am a slow reader and thus don't read many books, but this was an amazing story He is a major part of poker history. Is this the same book as One Of A Kind????
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