Molly's Game

by Molly Bloom

The true story of the 26-year-old woman behind the most exclusive, high-stakes underground poker game in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Audiobook, Memoir, Crime, American

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Ellen von Sydow · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4,5) This book totally captivated me. Molly Bloom is extremely intelligent, resilient and manages to navigate a male-dominated world to her own advantage. The writing style draws the reader in and the stories she tells feel out of this world - despite it being based on a true story.

I think the book clearly shows that money and success easily consumes us, but what truly matters at the end of the day are our relationships. When Molly reaches her “peak” she’s never felt more alone, and when she loses everything all she wants is her family.

There were two things I didn’t love. Firstly, there were too many characters named that were irrelevant to the storyline and only added confusion. Secondly, the ending felt rushed and unfinished. What exactly was her conviction? What happened after?

Overall an amazing read! Strongly recommend ⭐️

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun and quick read! Will be fun to revisit the movie now. Crazy that Tobey Maguire is the villain of this novel lmfao.

I am a little skeptical of some stories told in this, and the ending is really abrupt. but entertaining the whole way through!

[Leah Neff · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was… bad

[Yentl Shamim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually, I try to read a book before delving into the film adaptation. However, my first introduction to Molly Bloom was through the film. While it has been a few years since I watched the film, I finally got around to reading the book. I am really happy to announce that I am so glad that I read this book. Bloom's writing has a way of captivating the reader and holding their attention. there were moments in this book where Bloom describes moments that would make anyone feel anxious or terrified, and while she acknowledges and evokes those feelings in the reader, she also manages to have her words come across as calm and collected. Even in the moments where she is not in control, which she describes well, she remains in control as she is always thinking of the next move.

I highly recommend reading this one if you get a chance.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I was bored for most of it. there were so many characters it was really hard to follow sometimes. And I still don’t fully understand why she was arrested. But it was kinda interesting. And if what she’s saying is true, then I’ll be looking at some some celebrities differently. But not sure how much I believe.

[Shay Clancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Rajiv Kommareddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very attention grabbing. There’s just something so fascinating about uncovering the underground, especially when it involves people who you’ve heard of and would never expect. I wonder how they feel about their portrayals. The story was delivered in first person and gave me vibes similar to The Devil Wears Prada, where there were a lot of parallel themes of having an overbearing boss and leading a double life where your friends and family in the outside world, but you have to keep up appearances regardless. The constant escalation of situations and the progression of Molly through the people she encounters and the decisions she has to make in a moral gray area is exactly what I love in a story. Also, Tobey Maguire? Kind of a scumbag. Not surprising but man…

A quote about change and regret, sacrificing so much and realizing how much you let slip away while fighting for your goals, page 181:

“L.A. was full of ghosts. Drew, the game, and the friends I had traded for my new life. But leaving was about more than walking away from a poker game: this event had been my identity, my proof that I was really, really good at something. I had built my identity and my future upon Reardon, Drew, and the Los Angeles Dodgers; now even the foundation was falling into itself. Sometimes a stupid fairy tale about pigs and building houses is more timeless than a living, breathing, tangible world that seemed forever and indestructible.”

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and a really fast read. It stressed me out reading about all the high stakes games and especially the arrest. It seemed like a movie script because it's such an unbelievable lifestyle, but it's a memoir. It's unfortunate that she lost herself on the glitz and glamor, but hopefully she's found her way back.

The book ended rather abruptly. I wonder how it all turned out. Is her real life ending the same as in the movie?

The abrupt ending and my stress level throughout the book made me give it a 4. Though her hard work and accomplishments are impressive, which kept me from rating it a 3.

[QianDaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first half of the book the most. It gave a lot of context on why she became who she is. It also made her real and relatable. The whole book was fast paced and engaging for the most part. The last three chapters got a bit tedious. It’s the same laundry list of events and her ending was a bit unclear. I.e how did she go from “she is not breaking any laws” to how she ended up? It could’ve done a better job exposing a bit of the legal logistics. Also her final words of looking back was a bit weak too. Just felt lazy and defeated. Like “oh well I have no money to fight then so be it”.

[A B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally read this book after loving the movie for years. Would definitely recommend! Ultimate girl power story, the book has so much more depth, explanations, and side storylines the movie never had time to tell. I loved hearing straight from Molly, hearing her inner dialogue and the things she found important. The book also name drops sooo many players/ people which made it so much more juicy. Also fuck Toby McGuire forever and ever.

[Ansley Kopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty short and sweet— didn’t really wow me in terms of writing quality but was certainly very entertaining. it makes a lot of sense how easily she was swept up into the scheme, and how quickly the line between moral and immoral, ethical and unethical, blurred when the high of profit came into play. read it in a singular night. definitely enjoyable!!

[Conor Holtz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books reads so boring.

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I’ve learnt is that Tobey is a huge jerk

[Kiera Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already knew the story but this was so interesting!! she's so queen girl pussy boss

[Michael Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I spent New Year’s Eve by myself, waiting for my bruises to heal.”

This book stared into my soul, mocking me with that line to open chapter 31. It slowly but painfully yanked at the loose fibers of my heart and continued to pick and pull, unraveling it further than I needed at this point in my life. This book knew I was spending New Year’s Eve the same way Molly Bloom did in 2010… except unlike her physical bruises, I’m still waiting on my own psychological bruises to heal. From another Molly.

Something, something about timing and fate for this book to end my bibliophilic endeavor of 2023. Molly’s been gone almost a month and still reeling from the void she’s left, I ventured into a bookstore in Fulton, Missouri where “Molly’s Game” was the first discount book I spied. Suppressing tears, I forced a wry smirk as I sauntered over to the shelf to grab it. The book is a decade old to this point but this particular copy is in pristine condition. They wanted $8.00. When my best friend came over to point out the screen play for the movie was written by Aaron Sorkin, I was sold. I’d read a book about paint drying at the DMV if Sorkin’s name is on it.

I don’t have much to say about this one other than it’s gripping and compelling, if not outright unconscionable to think about the cascading effects of the original poker game. I crushed this in about a week, though it was only 262 pages. Nothing to shake a stick at. There were a few subtle reminders to me personally of another Molly throughout, who at one point or another lived in the same states as Molly Bloom. They made me smile, albeit briefly. Not for nothing, but this book started tickling that itch to get back to Las Vegas soon and I can’t wait to be there for my race and NOT losing seven figures in the Bellagio’s high-limit poker room.

[Tiffany Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read of the story of Molly being a poker shark thinking she was going to sail off into the rainbow pot of gold sunset. As the saying goes…if it’s too good to be true, it probably is! I would’ve liked much more detail on the legality side, conversations with her lawyer, what he thought, how he defended her. How much time did she get/actually serve? The ending was crap! She could’ve easily written another chapter or four on what happened to her getting sentenced, during prison, etc. And then finally her life after prison, what she’s doing now. Oh I know, she’s getting rich on the book & movie!! Now I’ll watch the movie just to finish off this Molly Bloom saga 🥱

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting. Molly lets you into the world of celebrities and billionaires playing in her poker games. Tobey Maguire who is a total jerk, he hated that she was making money from the players when they would tip her so he tried making her bark like a seal on a table in front of all the players before he would tip her. She refused.

This was a very interesting and fascinating read, I found it to be fast paced with continuous action. It was quite difficult to put down.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came to this having seen the film. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting of the book. It's readable, but not terribly interesting. I was expecting a bit more about how the various games were built up, but that's missing. Very much she lucked into a job, went out partying, found some players through partying and drives round sorting out the money. There's precious little about the business model other than she took tips and very few figures are mentioned. And in the end you hear nothing of the legal details for the end of the game.

[Sammy Kuntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!! I will say the movie is in my top 5. If anything it validated that the movie didn’t get it wrong. Getting the real life faces of Tobey McGuire, Affleck, and Decaprio…. Worth the read to get that intel.

Molly is a badass. Such entrepreneurial vibes throughout this read. I was captivated the whole time. Facing one problem after another, she finds a way to keep moving forward instead of walking away. While the ending for her isn’t what society defines as success, she has a hell of a story to share.

[Mallory Moureau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildly interesting story - especially that it’s based on a real persons life. The audio was well done, I’m not sure if reading it off the page would have kept my attention as well.

The legal aspect of it is hazy and the ending was pretty rushed but it was impressive how she turned an incredibly toxic job into something very lucrative. Her people skills were top notch.

There are a lot of players/characters and dynamics to keep track and at times that got confusing. Although I will always remember that Toby was a dick.

[Nadine Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
True story of a young American woman that moved to L.A. to start a new life and became a renowned organizer of high stakes private poker games in LA, New York and other American cities. The book details her life of luxury, names many celebrity clients involved in her games, and though rather quickly, her fall from grace when arrested by the FBI and indicted for a variety of crimes for which she chose not to fight. Interesting story and a quick read.

[CY Sim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although what Molly did might not be socially accepted, i think she is such a fearless tigress in the jungle of LA & New York. Knowing there are dangers every corner, she still walked the path alone with a clear mind and unfathomable courage. Knowing how to read a person, manipulative and problem solving are skills i believed can rule the world. What an incredible adventure Molly had.

[Paola Vidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ame la historia de Molly

Habra quienes la critiquen y entiendo perfectamente porque. Las opiniones sobre el poker son muy variadas y habra quienes no comprendan porque de entre todas las cosas que pudo haber hecho con su gran intelecto, se decanto por esto.

Sin embargo, yo personalmente la entiendo perfecto y creo que su única falla fue la misma que tiene cualquier jugador, no saber cuando dejar la mesa.

Yo creo que Molly es super admirable porque nadie creía en ella excepto ella misma y con esa bandera sobrevivió a múltiples traiciones de personas que únicamente fingían respetarla pero en realidad estaban amenazados por su intelecto. Bien por ella en exponerlos

[Georgia Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the film and wanted to read the book as I liked how it was narrated, but had seen some negative reviews so was hesitant. I really enjoyed this book, it has a lot of added characters and details that the film missed out and I enjoyed understanding how mollys mine worked. It was an easy read and kept me interested and entertained the whole way through.

[Christine Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First-hand account. Interesting and captivating. The book ends pretty abruptly, which was unexpected, and you realize the setup near the end. Definitely wished I would have read the book and then watched the movie and not vice-versa.

[Angel Cronan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly’s story had me hooked the whole time. Her life is so interesting and the way she details every memory is perfect. Great memoir. I watched the movie a few years ago and loved it, but the book is even better.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading book. The movie followed the book pretty well, but not quite. You learn a little bit about a slice of life that’s full of money big money, richness sophistication, and more money. Interesting viewpoint.

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars*** a genuinely interesting story, a life that is absolutely wild. I enjoyed hearing all of these experiences. Felt rushed regarding her arrest and FBI investigation, but overall pretty good!

[Jan Wieczorek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir was so exciting that I could hardly put it down. It was like no book I’ve ever read yet was so good that I read it within a few days. It was a fascinating story and, I’ve heard, that it’s a very good movie. ( I plan on watching it soon) I highly recommend this book.

[Hanna Hilcoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

first book of the year so gonna start new with my reviews being my favorite quote from the book 🙂‍↕️

“…the lessons I learned on the way up were just as valuable as the ones on the way down. I know that this time I will use everything I have learned to do something that matters.”