Life's a Gamble Hardcover – July 7, 2016

This was an enjoyable book. I've always thought Mike Sexton was one of the classiest poker ambassadors around and loved his commentary on the WPT tour. The stories of the characters he was friends with and gambled with were very entertaining. Though I have to say, that lifestyle would not be for me. In a nutshell, they pretty made bets on EVERYTHING, especially on golf, and most of them ended up broke on multiple occasions. I got the feeling Mike and others lost far more money outside of the poker world than in it. He pretty much admits this in the book. I'm not going to knock him for living that life as he seemed to have few regrets. The book is entertaining.

I've read more than 60 books about the game of poker since 2009. This one ranks in the top two or three. I absolutely LOVED this book!Mike is among the greatest ambassadors the game has known, and long before he wrote this book he was widely known as a legendary story-teller (there are a few on YouTube). He doesn't let us down with this book! The stories of his life's journey are the kind of read, one doesn't want to put down. Page after page after page of entertainment! I lost track the number of times I literally laughed out loud while reading it... it is THAT good!If you're a fan of this great game, and especially if you're a fan of the World PokerTour's Mike Sexton's (I learned a lot about the man I didn't know,) GET THIS BOOK! You will not regret it!

Mike (yes, first name because I feel like I know him know) shares really interesting stories about growing up, his family, and many of the poker legends and up-and-comers he has met thus far (Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, Stu Ungar). He is personable and candid with the good, the bad, and the ugly. His enthusiasm and love for the game shine through. He takes you on a journey of his life and many years of the WSOP, his commentator gig with WPT. Gives the back story on Party Poker, its evolution and his participation. Shares his personal relationships with each member of his family.If you've spent time listening to the WPT, you know his voice and can hear it rising, falling, and placing emphasis as you read each word. His go-to phrases are splattered throughout. You feel like you are having a conversation with him - only it is storytelling time - and Mike has the floor.If you play poker - this is a MUST read. You'll feel more in the know, and, your enthusiasm for the game will be through the roof. You'll be looking forward to volume2! I am. How about it Mike?

Mike Sexton is a class act and this book is a excellent. I highly, highly recommend it. This book is not so much about how to play poker as far as technical analysis, but it more or less a great story of how things have been and how the world of Vegas and gambling as a whole is. One of the better books I have read about Vegas and the crazy stories, bar none. One great thing about Mike Sexton is that he is very humble and very realistic. As a 20+ year poker player, I can promise you that poker is a difficult and sometimes frustrating beast, yet we can't get away...and we don't want to, and we won't. Like Mike, I too have been down in the pit and lost a lot, played golf, and I bet sports. Mike does not give the impression (as most other poker authors do) that everything he has does has brought him millions. I do not care who you are, its just not that way. Its up and down and anyone who says anything different is lying. Realism is very important and an author who can combine realism in a book that is hard to put down is definitely an author you want to read.

One of the BEST Biographies of poker players. He played a very important role in the "Poker Boom" of 2003 with the launching of the online site PartyPoker and the World Poker Tour circuit that was on prime time in TV.In 21 chapters you can read about his interesting life and how he became a professional poker player. He was a witness of the first years of the WSOP and he played in the events from 1991 to 2019, winning a bracelet and the "Tournament Of Champions" for $1 million, donating half to charity.He was a friend of many poker legends like Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, Amarillo Slim, Chip Reese, Billy Baxter, Phil Ivey, Puggy Pearson, Jack Strauss and many more. He tells great gambling stories will all of them.Rest In Peace Mike Sexton, Poker will miss you.

Excellent read. Written is typical Mike Sexton manner with lots well written stories. I did not realize the amount of really high stakes golf games many of the primer pros participated in but Mike takes you on the golf course and well as the poker table for some really high stakes. Well worth the money and a very easy and quick read.

Aside from seeing Mike Sexton on TV, I didn't know much about his life. I decided to give this book a chance -- I'm glad I purchased it! Overall, Mike's book was fun to read.

The poker and golf stories were really great and I appreciated the fact that Mike did not gloss over the real life demons many of the players had in their lives. I certainly recommend this book to anyone who has watched and been a fan of tv poker.

brought as a present

a great holiday readTHANKS

Great book with some fantastic stories! For poker fanatics and newbies alike.

Couldn't put the book down,read it within a week, interesting read and funny stories, buy buy buy

Great light read with some detailed info on behind the scenes of the WPT and Poke Stars. Mike is an interesting guy!