Comments on: Dummy Up And Deal: Inside The Culture Of Casino Dealing

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:37:45 +0000

This wonderful collection of non-fiction accounts on the other side of the table is a true and accurate look at what makes the casinos tick: not the people who come with the money, but the people who take it. Lee Barnes has a gift and it is to conjure so many voices into one cohesive book. It is funny, sad, and terrible. If you ever wanted to know who lives in Las Vegas, read this. Rating: 5 / 5

By: Antoine Mezier

Antoine Mezier — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:45:05 +0000

I'm a dealer myself, and it's true that this book shows you the inside of the business like no other does. You REALLY get how it REALLY works.
My problem is that it is only a chain of stories, one after another. It ends up being quite boring if you read it in a row.

An interesting book, but to read pieces by pieces.

Rating: 3 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:47:19 +0000

Though the writer is obviously gifted, and the stories are without a doubt amusing and accurately detailed, the author seems distant from his characters.

The author seems to stay un-involved and to coldly inspect his subjects as though they were fireflies in Mason jars, or butterflies on pins.

The writing is superb, but the lack of involvment in the characters inner workings and lives, leaves these stories sounding like a girlfriend repeating a soap opera in the office, to someone who missed an episode.

I’ll lay off with these last words. The author should look into his own heart and write real, breathing characters, not try to bring to life cardboard cutouts. No matter how excellent it is, it must heart. This book does not have heart, though it does have plenty of good writing. Rating: 2 / 5