Molly's Game: From Hollywood’s Elite, to Wall Street’s Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker

If you want to read a true story unlike other things you have read, if you want to know what it's like to live in a classy world full of millionaires and billionaires and their peculiar male-pack habits, get tons of money in a gray area of what is legal, and read about a crazy poker game, then this book is for you.The book stays consistent and she might seem a tad spoiled or too into it at times. I guess I would have preferred she had the perspective of someone who didn't care about this stuff but got sucked into it.It's sad what people will do for money, and it's sad that people will lose so much at one hand even with a not very good hand. Maybe they even had the winning hand but was talked into folding by non other than Tobey Maguire, who as it turns out is kind of a huge jerk and a poker shark, who takes pleasure in ruining peoples lives.It can be a sad and dark outlook at times. Truthfully I watched the film and felt like it left stuff out and read the book. Even as me, someone who has no real interest in poker that I know of, wanted to see the story in full.I wouldn't say I was disappointed, although it left me not really knowing if I should care at times. Particularly late in the book when she becomes so good at what she does I just found it far less compelling, then I think it got good again.I suppose I would have preferred the version that stayed with the details, how she got good at it, instead of her suddenly turning into a pro.I also would have liked more about her love life and how juggling that with the game was problematic, but it seems that her, or a publisher, possibly put pressure on her to keep it more about the game. The relationships made her more human and I liked that about them but the book doesn't want to veer too far into those.To me it would have been better with more details we got less of. What did they eat? What were the private jets like? What was the nicest house and what was stand out about it? Instead it focused too heavily on the game to the point I wasn't sure if I cared, but it was interesting nonetheless.And that's sort of the issue. With so many people in and out of "the game" I wasn't sure if I cared about them, so having certain constants like friends and boyfriends to actually care about more may have made this a more grounded experience, at least to me.There are things that could be a little better but since they are not huge complaints I would award 5 stars anyway. It also kept me interested and I read it pretty quickly.Although part of me wishes there was a second book that filled in details on some of the other stuff. The movie also doesn't deviate far from it but takes place after the book, the lawyer and the dad are a big part of the film and I don't think they are mentioned in the book, leaving you with relationships I wish I cared more about at times.Could we have cared more about her female friend she moved in with? I could have used a little time with her. She seemed like a cool girl.But no, the focus is on the poker game and if that's what you want than that's what you will get. She's definitely had an interesting journey and it was quite a thing to navigate.

Molly’s Game by Molly Bloom is, from the author’s point of view, a true account of one woman’s remarkable ability to see opportunity and innovatively carve her own empire out of a niche previously dominated by males. Many of the males were hustlers, conmen, professional poker players, and members of criminal enterprises such as the Mafia or the Russian Mob. While male members of the mentioned groups all seem to have shadowy or incomplete backgrounds with little regard for anything described as a moral compass, Bloom decided to take a higher road. She did not employ criminal enforcers to collect a player debt. She did not resort to vicious gossip strategies to destroy the reputations of reluctant payers. She took a more relaxed, feminine approach. She simply cut off their rights to play. Sounds like a stern Mommy figure.Why should she be telling the truth in this novel? We don’t completely know that she is but we have indications that lead one to believe what she has said/written is the truth. Without an independent investigation, we might never know if some things were left out. Lying by omission is still lying. This is a work of non-fiction. There are names of high-profile celebrities, sports figures, and wealthy businessmen which can aid those who want to investigate further to corroborate or refute information Bloom claims. For me, Bloom’s credibility rings true after a look at the final plea agreement and sentence imposed. Some in the judicial system believed her because the only jail time Bloom served after initial arrest was while she was waiting for bail to be posted.Many people do not realize that in a nation with fifty states and a federal system there are at least fifty-one systems of law that cover different activities, in this case, gambling. Violation of federal rules brings a suspect into a federal court anywhere in the United States. A person can violate State law and be brought into State court but there are fifty different standards which are why lawyers pass State licensing requirements. Bloom consulted lawyers and was careful not to violate laws against illegal gambling. She did not take a portion of winnings (gambling term: “the rake”). She did not charge management fees. Those kinds of things might be illegal. She did, however, accept gifts or tips. Essentially, Molly Bloom was an event organizer.Bloom does not write of her plea bargain as far as probation, community service, or fines. For that, go to Wikipedia and the sources listed at the bottom of the Wikipedia page. As with others who deal in vast sums of cash money (millions) Bloom seems to have attracted the notice of the IRS. The fine levied against her was small compared to the cash flow she indicates took place during her event organizing. Any account of dealing with the IRS belongs in my favorite genre: Horror.Bloom recounts her childhood in a family of superstars, super performers, and a controlling, demanding father. Molly claims that she just wanted to be acknowledged as being good in her own right. Placing on an Olympic Ski team might seem worthy of accolades. This memoir reveals that her accomplishment, after recovering from serious disabling surgery such that doctors said she could not do what she in fact accomplished, did not garner the positive reinforcement she desired. She decided to listen to a different drummer.I found her story amazing. There is no course or set of instructions she could follow to accomplish what she did. It was personal bravado, persistence, and chutzpah that allowed her to succeed. What brought her down was a combination of petty jealousy and true criminal activity on the part of some of her acquaintances. She was truly judged on the basis of the company she kept. I gave this four Amazon stars.

A well-written story, easily read in a few days and never loses the audience. It is everything it promises it will be

I loved the movie so much that I had to buy the book immediately afterwards. I was slightly concerned that I wouldn’t like this as much (as no-one can write a story as well as Aaron Sorkin) and that there would be nothing new that wasn’t covered in the film.I was wrong on both counts. The story is expertly told and covers much more than the film. It is interesting, thrilling and heartbreaking.I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the movie... I couldn’t put it down.

I had seen the trailers for the film but never really fancied watching it or given it much thought. A friend of mine came to stay one weekend and told me about how he had just read this book and how good it was. After explaining a bit of what it was about (no spoilers here, and I'm sure you've read the blurb before coming to look at the reviews) and sharing what the author tells us about some famous actors being real life idiots I decided to give the film a watch.I enjoyed the film but I'm firmly from the school of thought that 99 times out of 100 the book is better than the film right? So I bought the book and was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it. I'm not a poker player (I haven't played poker in about 15 years and can barely remember how to play it) but I reveled in hearing the author's exploits. I admired having a female character that wasn't dependent on others, refused to be treated as garbage, created her own luck and mini empire. It's worth a read to follow the journey of growth and the rise and fall that she went along throughout this time in her life ( and even just to get the dirt on which of those Hollywood actors aren't as nice as they'd have you believe. )

I bought this Molly's Game on my Amazon Kindle as I took the notion to try it out after recently watching the film of same name starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba (I thoroughly enjoyed the film). It was a tremendous book and one that was very intriguing and difficult to put down. There were times I was in the house reading it and had to leave but didn't want to stop reading as I enjoyed it that much. I can't recommend it highly enough! I've read many fascinating stories Miss Bloom and yours is certainly one of them! I certainly would encourage people yet to read this book to give it a go!

Excitement for first 60%. Then it bored a little then zoomed quickly at the end. It left me hungry to find out what happened after the visit from Vinnie to the day of judgement. No doubt there is a follow up book.Amazing woman and balls of steel. I heard a quote today "Not all people are good. If you think they are you have not met many people. "Molly met some wolves in sheep clothing. Describes insight into poker addiction and bravado but teaches nothing about Poker as its cover suggested.Will read the follow up as it was great read and well put together

I grew up in CO, watching Jeremy Bloom play football at CU and ski for the US National Team. I had no idea he had a sister, let alone this is what she was doing while I was (embarrassingly) obsessed with her brother. After seeing the film, I bought the book as soon as I got home and can't seem to put it down! It's been a while since I've really wanted to make time to read, but this book is great.