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Deadly Deception
Julian Rothschild, a skilled casino gambler who gives away his winnings to the needy, gets mixed up with Dewey, a sweatshop owner who convinces Julian that he can help poor people keep their jobs by giving his winnings to him, when he actually wants the money to silence a girl who can offer damning testimony against him
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 12, 2015
(quoting) “Yeah,” said Julian speaking through his thoughts, “but let’s be clear. The most important thing about gambling is this-and it’s something most people, even most gamblers, don’t even realize. What we’re doing, see, is trying to find out if God is really on our side! We‘re testing Him-call it God, call it fate…”
Julian is the master craps artist Julian Rothschild (not related), a close to perfect “shooter”.
This reviewer knows all about Julian Rothschild’s philosophy, though for me - it happened the reverse way. ( Because Craps is unpopular in European casinos) I had never played the game, when I attended a local charity event with highlight “casino gaming”, in South Florida 1989. Since gaming was illegal in FL guests could only win prizes (no money). In this enchanting and idyllic setting, which resembled a garden party, I was going to try my luck for a good cause; one of those Julian Rothschild liked so much.
The dealer tried to lecture me when I wanted to put money on the “doubles sixes”.
“Honey, that’s boxcars, there is only way to get them. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“… Klicker, klacker…” “Boxcars!” My money had not been on them yet. Trying to control myself I looked at the dealer. “Change of plans. Please put the token on snake eyes.” “But, honey, you can see for yourself that there is only one way to get them.”
“Could you please place the bet?”
“SNAAAAKE EYESSSSS!” somebody shouted.
I did not faint. It was however the last time I looked at snake eyes, which followed box cars… ever …
The message was clear. Craps was not my game and it would never - ever - be my game. Julian Rothschild, Dewey Smith, Denise Barker, and Monica Travers all would have told me to go home. Only Clive Edwards, the movie director, who, in ‘Deadly Deception’, utters “Exactly what is it you mean? I mean dice – they are just dice,” probably still wouldn’t have understood it.
‘Deadly Deception’ is a riveting master piece about people trying to save their sanity and their skins in casinos, mostly in Atlantic City. In particular I appreciated the characterization of Denise (Dewey’s girl friend) and Monica (Julian’s affair), who are attracted by their boyfriends, who love their way of living and philosophies but in the end can never outscore the die (or Beethoven and Brahms’ music).
While Julian, the master craps artist, “the shooter”, believes, “What’s life if not a crap shoot?” AND “The roll of the dice represents all our aspirations, all our hope and dreams, our successes, our failures, but most of all, our fate…” Dewey tries to use others’ luck to fix his own.
And then, there is Roy Stavros, the head guy at the “Versailles Hotel Casino”. He hates Julian, luck, and maybe even casinos. He does not believe in people, fate, or God, but only – THE HOUSE.
“The House – We are God. We ‘re the supernatural. We set the rules. We know the odds, …” (Roy Stavros even knows where they sell rigged die.)
Finally there will the monumental show-down, between Julian who loves the game vs. the House and Roy, who have no love.
A riveting, passionate must read for all lovers of the game, 5 stars
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
Julian is the master craps artist Julian Rothschild (not related), a close to perfect “shooter”.
This reviewer knows all about Julian Rothschild’s philosophy, though for me - it happened the reverse way. ( Because Craps is unpopular in European casinos) I had never played the game, when I attended a local charity event with highlight “casino gaming”, in South Florida 1989. Since gaming was illegal in FL guests could only win prizes (no money). In this enchanting and idyllic setting, which resembled a garden party, I was going to try my luck for a good cause; one of those Julian Rothschild liked so much.
The dealer tried to lecture me when I wanted to put money on the “doubles sixes”.
“Honey, that’s boxcars, there is only way to get them. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“… Klicker, klacker…” “Boxcars!” My money had not been on them yet. Trying to control myself I looked at the dealer. “Change of plans. Please put the token on snake eyes.” “But, honey, you can see for yourself that there is only one way to get them.”
“Could you please place the bet?”
“SNAAAAKE EYESSSSS!” somebody shouted.
I did not faint. It was however the last time I looked at snake eyes, which followed box cars… ever …
The message was clear. Craps was not my game and it would never - ever - be my game. Julian Rothschild, Dewey Smith, Denise Barker, and Monica Travers all would have told me to go home. Only Clive Edwards, the movie director, who, in ‘Deadly Deception’, utters “Exactly what is it you mean? I mean dice – they are just dice,” probably still wouldn’t have understood it.
‘Deadly Deception’ is a riveting master piece about people trying to save their sanity and their skins in casinos, mostly in Atlantic City. In particular I appreciated the characterization of Denise (Dewey’s girl friend) and Monica (Julian’s affair), who are attracted by their boyfriends, who love their way of living and philosophies but in the end can never outscore the die (or Beethoven and Brahms’ music).
While Julian, the master craps artist, “the shooter”, believes, “What’s life if not a crap shoot?” AND “The roll of the dice represents all our aspirations, all our hope and dreams, our successes, our failures, but most of all, our fate…” Dewey tries to use others’ luck to fix his own.
And then, there is Roy Stavros, the head guy at the “Versailles Hotel Casino”. He hates Julian, luck, and maybe even casinos. He does not believe in people, fate, or God, but only – THE HOUSE.
“The House – We are God. We ‘re the supernatural. We set the rules. We know the odds, …” (Roy Stavros even knows where they sell rigged die.)
Finally there will the monumental show-down, between Julian who loves the game vs. the House and Roy, who have no love.
A riveting, passionate must read for all lovers of the game, 5 stars
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
Want to read
July 15, 2012also published under the title 'The Prince of Dice'
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews