Alexi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 #21 Breaking Vegas by Ben Mezrich Synopsis: The book Vegas doesn't want you to read... Another page-turning true story of the underbelly of Las Vegas from Ben Mezrich, a successor to his bestselling Bringing Down the House. (From Amazon) Thoughts: I've seen the movie 21, but I believe that is based on the predecessor, Bringing Down the House. Breaking Vegas might have a less snappy title, but this is an enthralling tale that goes far beyond card counting and tells of a group of students who are using three techniques to beat the house which are lot murkier than that. The author discusses the "grey area" of legal/illegal in this tale, and I'm rather inclined to think these techniques err on the illegal side. In theory, anyone can card count, these techniques relied on seeing cards you weren't supposed to see to give a fantastic advantage. That aside, we visit Las Vegas, Aruba, London, Amsterdam and Monte Carlo in a lavish world tour of money, excess and gambling. It's a great read, and I think Mezrich tells it well. He builds suspense towards the (inevitable) downfall, and intersperses the narrative with snippets from the present day, where he is interviewing for the book. I really enjoyed it, and I shall look out for more of Mezrich's non fiction in the future. I also really, really want to go back to Vegas again now! (4/5) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Interesting review, Alex. I have a real aversion to gambling (not, I hasten to add, other people doing it - it's just the way it makes me feel - I can't even watch programmes like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" or "Deal or no Deal") so part of me thinks I should try this to push me a bit - but I'm not sure I could do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'm not sure you'd enjoy it if you have an aversion to gambling J they are dealing in HUGE sums, and while they win heavily they do come into contact with nasty figures from the casinos who aren't keen on that (I don't think that's too spoilery!) I haven't gambled at all since I went to Vegas (2010), and gambled a little there but spent more time soaking up the atmosphere and partying in the nightclubs (girls drink free, it's magical - although it feels too sexist to wholeheartedly approve!). So while I don't gamble myself I certainly don't mind watching and reading about others - as long as they aren't people I love after one too many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 II haven't gambled at all since I went to Vegas (2010), and gambled a little there but spent more time soaking up the atmosphere and partying in the nightclubs (girls drink free, it's magical - although it feels too sexist to wholeheartedly approve!). Oh, once one gets a few of those in... one might feel too sexy to disapprove! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I'm not sure you'd enjoy it if you have an aversion to gambling J they are dealing in HUGE sums, and while they win heavily they do come into contact with nasty figures from the casinos who aren't keen on that (I don't think that's too spoilery!) I haven't gambled at all since I went to Vegas (2010), and gambled a little there but spent more time soaking up the atmosphere and partying in the nightclubs (girls drink free, it's magical - although it feels too sexist to wholeheartedly approve!). So while I don't gamble myself I certainly don't mind watching and reading about others - as long as they aren't people I love after one too many. Thanks - I think I will give it a miss then. This is going to sound really daft, but I can pinpoint the exact time I started to feel like this (although I can't remember which year, if you see what I mean) - I used to watch Coronation Street avidly. I don't know if you've seen it, but Mike Baldwin (factory owner, ladies' man, spiv...) was gambling with a few men including a man called Don Brennan who drove a taxi. I seem to remember that the two of them were 'enemies' - or at least, disliked one another - and Don was losing badly but had a 'sure thing' so he put the keys to his taxi on the money... and of course he lost. It made me feel sick to think of him losing his livelihood - which is doubly mad because a) he was fictional, and b) I didn't like his character anyway! Needless to say, Vegas doesn't appear on my list of places I'd like to visit. Oh, once one gets a few of those in... one might feel too sexy to disapprove! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Janet, I feel a bit similar to do in relation to gambling. So thought I'd post this to show you're not alone . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 (edited) Thanks, Athena, I appreciate that. I should emphasis that I don't object to other people doing it if they enjoy it - it's just definitely not for me! Edit: Quite ironically I'm going to see Guys and Dolls at the theatre tomorrow, which features gambling - but I can cope with that! Edited June 4, 2013 by Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 This is going to sound really daft, but I can pinpoint the exact time I started to feel like this (although I can't remember which year, if you see what I mean) - I used to watch Coronation Street avidly. I don't know if you've seen it, but Mike Baldwin (factory owner, ladies' man, spiv...) was gambling with a few men including a man called Don Brennan who drove a taxi. I seem to remember that the two of them were 'enemies' - or at least, disliked one another - and Don was losing badly but had a 'sure thing' so he put the keys to his taxi on the money... and of course he lost. It made me feel sick to think of him losing his livelihood - which is doubly mad because a) he was fictional, and b) I didn't like his character anyway! You're not daft at all! And that's so nice of you, feeling sorry for a man whose character you didn't even like! You have a good heart. I've never been into gambling, either, I just don't see the attraction. I don't even do the slot machines at malls, ever. And I don't see the attraction of places like Las Vegas, either. Like you said, I'm fine it someone else wants to do it, but I'd rather do something else. If someone made me go with them, I'd let them play and I'd go and read a book (This was a big family secret until a few years ago: apparently my cousin has a gambling addiction, and he got into a lot of debt, and he was borrowing money off relatives for this and that, always giving excuses what the money was for. It cost him his marriage, and his parents have had to pay up for his debters ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Aww, bless you - thanks! I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. That's one big reason I dislike gambling - the potential addition problem. I seldom watch daytime TV, but when I do they seem to have constant adverts on for bingo - interspersed with adverts for pay-day loans with interest rates like 1464% - if you're quick enough to catch the figure in the small print. Ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 I certainly don't think you're daft - it can be really scary to watch. I think I was 11 when I went on a school trip to Blackpool and there was a slot machine bit. There was someone there who looked like they were suffering for money - holes in clothes etc - clearly drunk throwing coins down them. I still remember that vividly 15 years later. My parents went to Vegas a couple of years before I did, and my Dad told us all he would play a couple of games of blackjack. He told us all to approach it as if you will lose all you have and you're paying for an evening's entertainment - never gamble more than you would want to spend on a night out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Thanks, Alex. I think that's the key - make a pledge of how much you're going to spend and then walk away. It's funny how things such as you describe stay with one, isn't it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Happy birthday, Alex. I hope you have a great day (and maybe get a book or two?!) xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted June 5, 2013 Author Share Posted June 5, 2013 Aw thanks J I'm going to buy myself a present from my amazon wishlist, but decided it might be prudent to wait until the end of the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Happy Birthday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Aw thanks J I'm going to buy myself a present from my amazon wishlist, but decided it might be prudent to wait until the end of the day Good plan! I didn't get any books this year (unusually) but I did get an Amazon gift voucher - and a lovely mug with Jane Austen books on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Happy Birthday Alexi!! I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. That's one big reason I dislike gambling - the potential addition problem. I seldom watch daytime TV, but when I do they seem to have constant adverts on for bingo - interspersed with adverts for pay-day loans with interest rates like 1464% - if you're quick enough to catch the figure in the small print. Ugh. Yes, but then again, (and this might be an overgeneralization, but anyway) the people who become addicted to gambling are very likely to be the type of people who are prone to addictions, in one form or another... So they might get themselves into trouble in other ways even if gambling was banned. It's unfortunate, but that's life for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Happy birthday Alex! Hope you've had a great day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Happy Birthday Alex!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 .I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. That's one big reason I dislike gambling - the potential addition problem. I seldom watch daytime TV, but when I do they seem to have constant adverts on for bingo - interspersed with adverts for pay-day loans with interest rates like 1464% - if you're quick enough to catch the figure in the small print. Ugh. .Yes, but then again, (and this might be an overgeneralization, but anyway) the people who become addicted to gambling are very likely to be the type of people who are prone to addictions, in one form or another... So they might get themselves into trouble in other ways even if gambling was banned. It's unfortunate, but that's life for you I don't think I said anywhere that I thought gambling should be banned. In fact, I thought I'd been careful to make sure I said that I don't have a problem with other people gambling - that's their business and I'd certainly never say something should be banned just because I didn't like it. : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 (edited) I don't think I said anywhere that I thought gambling should be banned. In fact, I thought I'd been careful to make sure I said that I don't have a problem with other people gambling - that's their business and I'd certainly never say something should be banned just because I didn't like it. : Oh no, I didn't mean to imply that you'd suggested it should be banned! I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I was just talking about addiction in general, that's all Edit: I'm not pro banning gambling, either. I'm pretty much live and let live -kinda person, as long as people don't harm other people (or animals, for that matter!) in the process. I know you're the same, Janet Edit2: Oh and Alex, did you order any books in the end? Edited June 6, 2013 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted June 6, 2013 Author Share Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks so much guys I had a great day. I got two books: The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon ( Frankie!) The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje. I've also finished my current non-fiction on the IRA (review to follow!) and started Money by Martin Amis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks so much guys I had a great day. I got two books: The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon ( Frankie!) Wohoo!! Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Oh no, I didn't mean to imply that you'd suggested it should be banned! I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I was just talking about addiction in general, that's all Edit: I'm not pro banning gambling, either. I'm pretty much live and let live -kinda person, as long as people don't harm other people (or animals, for that matter!) in the process. I know you're the same, Janet That's okay - the last thing I want to do is come across as judgemental. My post was missing a smiley at the end (I type them if I know the code, but appear to have only typed the colon and not the bracket!) so sorry if I sounded like I was being grumpy. Yay for birthday books, Alex! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 That's okay - the last thing I want to do is come across as judgemental. My post was missing a smiley at the end (I type them if I know the code, but appear to have only typed the colon and not the bracket!) so sorry if I sounded like I was being grumpy. You're far from being judgemental and you've never come across as such, don't worry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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