The Smart Money

By: Michael Konik

Narrated by: Michael Konik

Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

In The Smart Money, Michael Konik takes listeners behind the veil of secrecy shrouding the most successful sports gambling operation in America, to its innermost sanctum. He reveals how they, and he, got rich by beating the Vegas lines and, ultimately, the multi-million-dollar offshore betting circuit. He details the perks and perils of a lifestyle in which staking inordinate sums of money on the outcome of a game, sometimes as much as $1 million on a single event, is a normal part of doing business.

©2006 Michael Konik. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

"Fascinating....The book feels like a mixture of true-life expose and high-stakes fiction....A definite must-read for the gambling crowd." (Booklist)

Could not have been more interesting

This ia a true story that reads like fiction. The storyline is unbeleivably interesting and really takes you into another world. made me want to gamble like crazy on sports.

Riveting

Let me state upfront that I'm female, I know NOTHING about sports or sports betting and was, nonetheless, totally enthralled by this book. The writing is as good or better than Augsten Burroughts and the story moves at a fast clip and in directions you don't expect. Though the author is an established gambling journalist, at times you'd swear you were listening to a novel. His reading and his characterization are better than most pros.

Wow, buckle up

An incredible read, loved every second of it. If you have any interest in Vegas & sports betting then this is your ticket!!!

Not what I was looming for

The subtitle is misleading. I was looking for a book that taught some of the practical ways that the "wise guys" calculate their picks. This is NOT what this book is based on. Just a long, repetitive story about the author and his time working under one of these wise guys. The wise guys simply use him as a puppet to make bets for them so I really learned nothing I didn't already know. Could even finish the book to be honest. Got 2/3rds through and gave up.

Disliked it

I tend to enjoy stories with the theme of gambling, handicapping or Vegas. Not this time. I found the authors' tone to be a distraction, often blowing his own horn rather than telling the story. When the main character is arrogant and unlikable, the story is hard to embrace. The story itself was nothing to rave about; aimless and eventually downright dull. I dropped the book about halfway through; life's to short to listen to jerks.

Exaggeration

Everything in the book seemed like an over exaggeration of the authors importance in the scheme. Just one mans pathetic attempt to boost his own ego. At no point was the author even necessary in his own book let alone pivotal, which leave a lot of questions to be answered about how accurate the book really is. If you are hoping to get some tips about sports betting you will be very disappointed as this isn't a how to.

Interesting Story

I enjoyed this book and interesting how people can gamble so much money. it was really cool to hear this story in the details behind sports betting. I think it was a good book.

Fun to imagine

Enjoyed it from start to finish! Was interesting to imagine what he was going through and kept me wanting to hear about what happened next.

Fun stories

Fun stories about the side of sports gambling that you never see before but the author (insert eye roll here). He can’t help but humble brag on every page and it really takes you out of the stories. The author is quite annoying.

I stumbled across this book when I was looking for any book to help me understand sports betting and it’s lingo better. This does not help.

Best Book on how it feels to be "winning" at SB

As a gambler myself the author definatley captures how the highs and lows feel on a winning and losing streaks for a successful betting systems...