Book review: Bust by Adam Resnick

Illini · May 7, 2007

One of the better books I've read. Completely entertaining from start to finish, and you won't be able to put it down. Way better than The Odds and Smart Money, which were both good books.

This guy gives new meaning to the word degenerate. Un-effing-believeable. Almost everybody on here has experienced being a degenerate for a day or two. You lose too much, you worry about it.....but eventually the pain goes away, you come to your senses, and you learn from it. This author gives you a glimpse into what it feels like to be a true degenerate. A gambling addict. It is truly sick, and if it wasn't sad, it would be fucking hilarious. A great read.

5teamparlay · May 7, 2007

Thanks for the reccomendation Illini, I will have to add it to my library here at the hut.

sharky99 · May 7, 2007

thx will pick it up must be some good stories in there.

Brock Landers · May 7, 2007

Looks like a great read, will check it out!

http://www.amazon.com/Bust-Gambled-...9078442?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178512619&sr=8-1

Brock Landers · May 7, 2007

http://www.fdicoig.gov/press/pr01-06-05.shtml

Illini · May 15, 2007

Anybody else read this yet? You will not be able to put it down, and your jaw will drop many times while reading it.

robmpink · May 15, 2007

Is it about sports betting or poker?

Illini · May 15, 2007

robmpink said:
Is it about sports betting or poker?

It's about sports betting, blackjack, wild parties, and crime that was used to feed the addiction. It's about a guy that was offered a blowjob by one of the hottest escorts in Vegas, but he was so addicted to gambling that he would only let her do it if she would slide under the blackjack table. And he did want that blowjob. Like I said, it would be hilarious if it wasn't sad.

robmpink · May 15, 2007

Thanks Illini. I'll have to pick it up.

gatorhater · May 15, 2007

Just read it like a month ago
Took me 2 days to finish, very good read

Just disgusting to think how bad he fucked his life up, great story though

OAKAS · May 15, 2007

Thanks for the heads-up, Illini. Just ordered it from Amazon. It sounds like a great read.

KAPPER · May 15, 2007

He's a loser and a big liar. The book is a total and complete fabrication. He is a bad guy and if you want to read the book borrow it from the library. It makes me sick that he is actually making money from writing this book.

Adam was a former poster here and was a big player at VIP. That should tell you all that you need to know.

Illini · May 16, 2007

KAPPER said:
He's a loser and a big liar. The book is a total and complete fabrication. He is a bad guy and if you want to read the book borrow it from the library. It makes me sick that he is actually making money from writing this book.

Adam was a former poster here and was a big player at VIP. That should tell you all that you need to know.

Why do you think he was lying? He pretty much details how much of a loser he was, and he takes responsibility for it. I thought it was a very entertaining read, and very eye opening. I have no problem with him making money and paying off the people that he owes.

mr21 · May 16, 2007

Another good one is "Stung" by Gary Ross - it's based on a true story about a Canadien banker with a serious gambling disorder. He siphoned millions from the band to feed his addiction. The book is light on the gambling details but very interesting. You can get used copies cheap at Amazon or other online bookstores:

http://www.amazon.com/Stung-Incredi...9208137?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179323034&sr=1-1

bellyputter · May 16, 2007

"Owning Mahowny" is the movie(Philip Seymour Hoffman) that was based on "Stung." I actually saw this guy a few times at the Barbary Coast in the early 80's. Good Luck

Iceman · May 16, 2007

Bought the book also and hated it. I very rarely don't finish a book but I did with this one.

If (and that is a big if) it was mostly true he could have added some sort of winning in there. Every story revolves around him losing big.

I know gambling can be a sickness but this guy's story got old really fast. Nothing enjoyable in there at all for me. I guess it get sick of hearing how all gamblers lose and this story is all about how gambling is so bad. Gives gambling a bad name.

Highly not reccomeneded (IMO).

Illini · May 16, 2007

Iceman said:
Bought the book also and hated it. I very rarely don't finish a book but I did with this one.

If (and that is a big if) it was mostly true he could have added some sort of winning in there. Every story revolves around him losing big.

I know gambling can be a sickness but this guy's story got old really fast. Nothing enjoyable in there at all for me. I guess it get sick of hearing how all gamblers lose and this story is all about how gambling is so bad. Gives gambling a bad name.

Highly not reccomeneded (IMO).

You gave up on it too quick. He turned $200K into over 8 million, then lost it all. He had plenty of winning in the book, it's just that you have to recognize that a gambling addict is always going to eventually lose it all.

He doesn't blame gambling establishments, and takes full responsibility at the end. (I think casinos share the blame when they take advantage of addicts.) But he didn't even say that. It thought it was a very well written book, full of action, but also a great description of the loneliness and sorrow that one feels when they have this disease. I thought it took guts for the author to be transparent and put himself out there, knowing that people like you would judge him.

Iceman · May 16, 2007

Illini said:
You gave up on it too quick. He turned $200K into over 8 million, then lost it all. He had plenty of winning in the book, it's just that you have to recognize that a gambling addict is always going to eventually lose it all.

He doesn't blame gambling establishments, and takes full responsibility at the end. (I think casinos share the blame when they take advantage of addicts.) But he didn't even say that. It thought it was a very well written book, full of action, but also a great description of the loneliness and sorrow that one feels when they have this disease. I thought it took guts for the author to be transparent and put himself out there, knowing that people like you would judge him.

Yeah maybe it was just me. I just don't like it when gambling books movie are always all the same and this just fit right in there.

The classic freak who makes us all look bad. Just very depressing to me.

KAPPER · May 16, 2007

He takes no responsibility in real life. He treats his wife and kids like crap. I grew up with his wife. He is never with his kids. He lied to the judge early and often under oath. He has dreams of becoming an actor and selling his story to Hollywood. He will never pay back any of the money he owes. He has plenty of money offshore which couldn't be touched.

I will say that the piece on Dateline showing his run at the riverboat here in Chicago is fascinating

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14187516/

DON'T BUY THE BOOK!!!!!!

Illini · May 16, 2007

Iceman said:
Yeah maybe it was just me. I just don't like it when gambling books movie are always all the same and this just fit right in there.

The classic freak who makes us all look bad. Just very depressing to me.

Indeed. It was very depressing and sad. I guess I feel compassion for him, because I try to imagine myself in that state. I think about the times that I've been irresponsible gambling, and the emotions that I felt after losing too much. To feel that x100 and be addicted, it's got to be the loneliest place in the world. He made mistakes that he has to pay for, and it is just that he is in prison right now. But I found the book to be very believeable and very transparent, that a person with a good heart and many good qualities could be so sick that they fall to the depths that he did. I gamble and enjoy it. I drink and enjoy it. But I know that there are many people out there that would love to be able to do those things responsibly. But they can't, and their life is misery. I feel compassion for those people. But I understand that some people won't.

I thought this book was a sobering reminder of the dangers of gambling. We all have degenerate tendencies in us......just watch Deal or No Deal and see 95% of the people on there make irrational decisions that they thought they would never make beforehand. I've read many books that glorify gambling, like both of Ben Mezrich's books. I enjoyed those books, but this was a totally different take.