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, Audiobook, History, American, Memoir, Crime

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[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!

[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 ⭐️

[Leah Neff · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was… bad

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened on Audiobook.

Ugh. This girl was so annoying. The whole holier-than-thou act. Give me a break, it's poker. Poker with some very sleazy men, if I may add.

Hey Toby Maguire, you suck! (Yes, Toby Maguire from Spider-Man and Pleasantville. THAT Toby Maguire).

Aside from my dislike of, oh so so so, many people in this book, it was intriguing to see how it all panned out. How to run the books, if you will. Though maybe if I too could throw away a million dollars on a card game any given night of the week, I'd have nicer things to say about this.

It's all greed, wealth, luxury, and poker. Pretty much in that order.

If you want to read a book about the actual game of poker, whether illegal or legal, underground or casino, this is not for you.

If you want to read a book about a woman constantly complaining how hard it is dealing with greedy rich sleazeballs while stomping around in her Prada heels and making enough money to cover the down payment on a house in one night, then you'd love this.

[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.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blazed through this in under 24 hours. I think Molly Bloom is an absolutely fascinating person, and her insight into elite's gambling habits kept me hooked. I'm sure it's not wholly accurate, given the fact she wrote the book while awaiting trial and sentencing, but ultimately her story is compelling, entertaining, and easy to get lost in. I needed something like this to pick myself up after starting Operation Paperclip and I'm sooo glad I decided to tackle this.
I also love the movie and there's definitely differences, but I think they're different enough to compliment each other well.

[Lauryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I’m late to the game on this (the movie came out in 2018), but this nonfiction story is compulsively readable and fascinating. About a woman who takes over the high stakes poker world and integrates herself into the world of celebrities, Wall Street and eventually organized crime. She is very sympathetic and even somewhat relatable as she slowly rises within the poker world but I’m sure this story leaves out seedier parts of her experience she either couldn’t mention because of her lawsuit or things she hadn’t admitted to herself. Highly recommend!

[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 ⭐️

[Kelsy Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - I did enjoy this book but the ending felt rushed and left me with questions

[Jessika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t expecting to be so hooked to this book, it read like fiction but so cool that it was based off true events. Would have given it 5 stars except the ending was super rushed. But loved the character and the plot!

[Annalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - interesting & fast paced. Just as good as the movie! Molly is a great character who was smart, ambitious, and likable. Her story was interesting and super niche!

[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.

[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!!

[Vanessa Price]

I don't like to give star ratings to autobiographies or memoirs. This is the story of a woman who constantly appeases the patriarchy in order to get ahead while calling it strategy, and then she is surprised and offended when none of the men respect her.

[Conor Holtz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books reads so boring.

[Ben Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew Tobey Maguire was such a bum? Spiderman villain arc.

[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.

[Chelsea Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5
Molly's Game by Molly Bloom
February 11, 2026 - February 13, 2026

I loved both the book Molly's Game by Molly Bloom and its film adaptation, Molly's Game directed by Aaron Sorkin. The book provides extensive background information that helps readers fully understand Molly’s mindset, motivations, and the risks she took. It dives deeper into her transition, showing not just what happened, but why it happened. In contrast, the movie does an excellent job dramatizing these events while still remaining largely faithful to the facts. It captures the intensity, pressure, and emotional stakes of her world in a way that feels both engaging and authentic.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Molly’s story is her transformation from an Olympic-class skier to the organizer of a powerful underground poker empire. This drastic career shift highlights her resilience, intelligence, and adaptability. The book especially emphasizes how her competitive drive did not disappear after skiing—it simply found a new outlet.

I was particularly surprised by the portrayal of Player X. Although he his identity was hinted at in the movie, his identity and eventual betrayal were shocking. His actions added a layer of emotional complexity to the story, showing how trust and loyalty can quickly dissolve in high-stakes environments. This moment reinforced one of the book’s central themes: that success in elite circles often comes with isolation and unexpected betrayal.

Overall, the book offers deeper psychological insight, while the movie brings the story to life visually and emotionally. Together, they complement each other well—the book provides the depth, and the film provides the intensity. Both are compelling in their own ways and tell the story of an extraordinary woman navigating ambition, power, and consequences.

[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 🥱

[Jill Leddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really interesting but different than I anticipated. In the beginning I was captivated but it felt like it stalled in the middle towards the end. It’s so clear in this book how intelligent Molly is, so it felt at times, hard to believe some of the stories and her portrayal of her naivety in some of the situations. It is interesting to hear someone who went through all of this come out on the other side saying they wouldn’t undo any of it. I wonder if as time passes her perception of this and understanding of the consequences not just on herself but others too, may change her perspective.

[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.