Telling Lies and Getting Paid: Gambling Stories [Paperback]

Michael Konik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

Behind the scenes in the fascinating world of risk and reward. (SEE QUOTE.)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With this magnificent work, Konik cements his role as dean of the world's gambling writers."
--Detroit Free Press

From the Back Cover

In Telling Lies and Getting Paid, the author again goes behind the scenes and into the action of the fascinating world of risk and reward.Meet the Chicago nun who consistently out-handicaps the bookies with her pro-football picks. Follow the legendary (and widely feared) Line Mover, whose massive sports bets force bookies nationwide to alter the odds. Live the secret life of the Vegas high roller, glimpse the wild scene at the casinos in Macao, and visit some of the planet's poshest gambling dens. Get tips on how to set up the perfect home poker game, how not to get ripped off by offshore sportsbooks, and how to play "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" like a gambling expert. (6 x 9, 256 pages)Michael Konik was the original gambling columnist for Cigar Aficionado. He has contributed to more than 100 publications worldwide, including The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and Travel & Leisure. Presently he is the West Coast editor and golf columnist for Delta Airlines SKY magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585747416
• ISBN-13: 978-1585747412
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,146,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On TV and in a Book, September 13, 2004

By 

richieob "OB" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Telling Lies and Getting Paid: Gambling Stories (Paperback)

Been watching Mr. Konik on television for months now and didn't put two-and two together and realize he's the writer of one of my favorite poker/gambling books. Saw him on a show recently and they mentioned something about "telling lies and getting paid" and I was like, wait a minute! Sure enough. Same guy. If you watch Konik on the poker shows on TV you know how good he is at talking about the game for people of all abilities. His books are like him on TV. I would say they're very thoughtful and a liitle provocative. Funny, also. If you don't like Konik on TV you probably won't like his books. If you do like him you're going to love reading his stuff. It's like having a private conversation with a smart friend.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real, January 27, 2005

By 

cantor (Denton, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Telling Lies and Getting Paid: Gambling Stories (Paperback)

Konik knows what he's talking about when it comes to gambling and poker. The stories in this collection are easier to believe than the first one (Man With Breasts) and they're a little more edgy and a little cynical, which you'd expect from someone whose been around the block a few times like the author, who I watch on the poker broadcasts. What can I say? The guy's a great writer with great material. A "must" for the gambling library.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond the Numbers, March 5, 2005

By 

Raise It! (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Telling Lies and Getting Paid: Gambling Stories (Paperback)

Konik's viewpoint on gambling goes betond the numbers and into the psychology and emotions that drive serious players. Many of the stories are about professional gamblers. These are pretty fantastic. My favorite however is about "Telling Lies and Getting Paid," which is a story about Konik's attempts to win the World Series of Poker, which obvioulsy he doesn't do or else he wouldn't be on the sidelines talking about the game on Fox television instead of playing in it! He's a very good writer, maybe in the top three. This is a must for anyone building their gambling book library.