Bigger Deal

Bigger Deal follows journalist Anthony Holden's return to professional poker in 2005-2006, fifteen years after his first documented poker odyssey. The narrative tracks his global tournament circuit journey from the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas through events across multiple continents. The book documents the dramatic transformation of poker between 1990 and 2005, particularly the explosion in popularity following Chris Moneymaker's 2003 WSOP victory. Holden explores how online poker, television coverage, and new tournament formats changed both the game's culture and economics. Holden weaves his personal tournament experiences with interviews and observations about poker's evolution from smoky backrooms to mainstream entertainment. The story culminates at the 2006 WSOP Main Event, where the winner's prize had grown from $270,000 in 1988 to an unprecedented $12 million. Through this chronicle of poker's boom years, the book examines broader themes about gambling culture, celebrity, and how technology transforms traditional pastimes. It stands as both a personal memoir and a snapshot of a unique moment in poker history.

Readers found this poker memoir less compelling than Holden's previous book "Big Deal." Many note it captures the mid-2000s poker boom era but lacks the personal narrative depth of his earlier work. What readers liked: - Detailed coverage of major poker tournaments and players - Historical context of poker's evolution from 1990s to 2000s - Inside look at poker TV production - Writing style remains accessible for non-poker players What readers disliked: - Too much focus on tournament results and statistics - Less personal storytelling compared to "Big Deal" - Repetitive descriptions of hands - Some felt it read like expanded magazine articles Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (15 reviews) Sample review: "Not as intimate or revealing as Big Deal. Holden seems more like an observer this time rather than a participant in his own story." - Goodreads reviewer

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🎲 The 2003-2006 poker boom saw a 635% increase in World Series of Poker Main Event participants, jumping from 839 to over 8,773 players. 🌟 Anthony Holden previously wrote "Big Deal" (1990), making "Bigger Deal" a follow-up that bookends poker's transformation from underground game to mainstream phenomenon. 💻 The rise of online poker sites in the early 2000s created the first "Internet millionaires" of poker, including Chris Moneymaker, who qualified online for $40 before winning $2.5 million at the 2003 WSOP. 📺 The invention of the "hole card camera" in 1997 revolutionized poker broadcasts, allowing viewers to see players' hidden cards and transforming poker into compelling television. 💰 The 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event prize pool reached $82.5 million, with winner Jamie Gold taking home $12 million – the largest poker tournament prize in history at that time.