The Game: A High-Stakes Conspiracy of Power, Poker, and Profit

by Brandon Keller

A secret poker game. A revolutionary AI. A deadly gamble.

When financial prodigy Tyler Rush stumbles upon a clandestine poker game where the world’s elite manipulate global events, he’s drawn into a treacherous world he never knew existed. Watching him closely is CEO Mike Hayward, a man hungry for global dominance, who sees Tyler as a pawn in his ruthless plan to unlock the Einstein Code—an AI algorithm that promises to reshape the future of intelligence and power.

After a high-stakes bet goes wrong, Tyler is coerced into a dangerous mission—steal the Einstein Code from a rival firm. But the job grows more challenging when he meets Jill Young, the brilliant and determined CFO who created the code. As lines blur between duty, desire, and deception, Tyler is faced with an impossible choice—betray Jill to survive or risk everything for a chance at redemption.

In a world where power is the ultimate prize and every move is a gamble, Tyler must decide if he’s willing to play the game—or become its next casualty.

Genres: Thriller

321 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2025

About the author

Brandon Keller is a novelist and CEO in the financial services industry, where he has spent decades working at the intersection of risk, capital, regulation, and institutional decision-making. His thrillers draw on firsthand experience with power, leverage, and the consequences of decisions made at the highest levels of leadership. A longtime poker enthusiast, Keller incorporates the game not as sport, but as a framework for understanding strategy, pressure, and imperfect information. He is also an active advocate for using artificial intelligence responsibly, writing about AI as a force that reshapes human judgment rather than replacing it. He lives in Texas with his wife and family.

Connect with Brandon and follow his writing journey at BrandonKellerBooks.com.

Reviews

[Mandy Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark game is being played where the stakes matter and anyone and anything is up for grabs. Tyler is smart and works hard. He works so hard that his boss takes notice. Tyler gets invited to play in a high stakes poker game with powerful people. He has to say yes. His sister is in a bad situation and he wants to help her and in order to do that he needs money. The poker game gives him the opportunity to score big...but Tyler underestimates the greed and power that flow through the other players. Tyler bites off more than he can chew and finds himself betraying his morals and those that matter to him. Tyler doesn't expect to fall in love especially not with the woman he is supposed to betray. Can Tyler follow through with his lost bet or will he blow the whole thing up, putting himself and everyone he cares about in danger? A great fast paced read. I enjoyed the small twists at the end and the character development was concise and kept me connected with the cast!

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! The characters are bold and interesting, and the suspense keeps the reader engaged. I highly recommend!

[Gary Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book from start to finish! The author's unique way of using imagery throughout the book kept me interested. This book is a must-read!

[Mark Akerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great easy to read thriller. If you enjoy a battle of wits, this is it - and full of suspense and surprises!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Game
✍🏻Brandon Keller
Blurb:
A secret poker game. A revolutionary AI. A deadly gamble.

When financial prodigy Tyler Rush stumbles upon a clandestine poker game where the world's elite manipulate global events, he's drawn into a treacherous world he never knew existed. Watching him closely is CEO Mike Hayward, a man hungry for global dominance, who sees Tyler as a pawn in his ruthless plan to unlock the Einstein Code-an AI algorithm that promises to reshape the future of intelligence and power.

After a high-stakes bet goes wrong, Tyler is coerced into a dangerous mission-steal the Einstein Code from a rival firm. But the job grows more challenging when he meets Jill Young, the brilliant and determined CFO who created the code. As lines blur between duty, desire, and deception, Tyler is faced with an impossible choice-betray Jill to survive or risk everything for a chance at redemption.

In a world where power is the ultimate prize and every move is a gamble, Tyler must decide if he's willing to play the game-or become its next casualty.

My Thoughts:
. Brandon Keller's debut novel is a page turner! A real thriller with twists, turns and surprises that kept me guessing until the end. The Game really surprised me. The pacing was tight, the characters—especially Tyler, Mike, and Jill—were complex and compelling, and the final twists completely caught me off guard. The Game blends suspense, emotion, and originality. Highly recommend for fans thrillers.
Thanks NetGalley, ‎ Black Rose Writing and Author Brandon Keller. for the complitary copy of "The Game" I am leaving my voluntary review
#NetGalley
#BlackRoseWriting
#TheGame
#BrandonKeller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bonnie Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me into a new world of high finance, poker, and AI, as I followed the adventures and misadventures of Tyler Rush, a beginning analyst at a financial services company in downtown Baltimore. Trying to help his young sister escape the clutches of abusive relatives and make good in his new job, Tyler is plunged unwittingly into a hidden and sinister world of corporate greed and political power-brokering, and becomes a pivotal player in the race to develop and gain control of a life-altering advance in artificial intelligence. Of course, he falls in love, and his life becomes even more complicated as he realizes his success and even his life may hinge on betraying the woman he adores. Set in both Baltimore and New York City, the author creates a fast paced story grounded in both locales, giving us the sights and sounds and flavors of these iconic cities. Highly recommended!

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slick, adrenaline-charged debut thriller that fuses the dilemma of Dostoyevsky's "The Gambler" with the high-stakes tension of Fleming's Casino Royale! Brandon Keller impressed the heck out of me with his first book.

Tyler Rush, a financial wunderkind caught in a long-standing, secret poker game of global power brokers, finds himself in an impossible bind that blurs the lines between loyalty and betrayal. Keller's AI-driven subplot is today's hot topic and adds a timely, relevant, high-tech edge. The ethical dilemmas remind me of the choices Gabriel Allon sometimes makes in Daniel Silva’s spy thrillers.

With deception layered upon danger, Keller delivers a story where every choice feels like it could bring down a house of cards!

[Jann Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

The allure of high-stakes poker brings out greed and hubris in a brilliant but scarred young analyst on his quest for AI's magic formula. Brandon Keller's debut novel The Game is a fast-paced, page-turning thrill ride that poker and thriller fans alike will race through. I'm neither, yet this one of the most propulsive books I've read. Curious because my husband loves poker, financial analysis, and AI -- the three things The Game has in spades – I began reading this thriller to recommend it to him. Instead, I ended up binging it for myself. High praise to Keller for such a fascinating, pace-pounding first book!

[Eric Schwebach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon Keller’s debut novel, The Game, is a must read for those that enjoy suspenseful thrillers. The plot twists and surprises keep you fully engaged and on the edge of your seat. The character development is excellent as are the many different sub plots within this complex, yet easy to read novel. This highly engaging book is well written and definitely impressed me. By the end, I was fully immersed in this battle of wits, high stakes thriller and read the final third of the book in one sitting. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it - I can't wait to see what Brandon does next.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second I spent reading The Game. However, one of the things that especially stood out to me while reading was how the story really takes off when Tyler discovers the high-stakes poker game. It pulled me in right away, and I was curious to see where it would lead.

The dynamic between Tyler and the CEO, Mike, was especially interesting—Mike seems almost too engaged with Tyler, and you can feel the tension building. It definitely kept me wanting to read more.

If you enjoy thrillers with smart setups and strong characters, I think you’ll like this one.

[Sandy Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going All In

The titular game is poker, but so many more games are being played — psychological, deception, cat-and-mouse — even political games on a global level. A young financial analyst is drawn into a poker game by his mentor that places him in the midst of a global conspiracy. The plot is inventive,, the characters are smart and engaging, and there are twists that jeep the reader suspended in this world of unending shades os gray. An excellent read that keeps you guessing.

[Gary Gerlacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Game is Wall Street meets Casino Royale as Tyler Rush gets involved in a poker game that will change his life, and the fortunes of two companies. Tyler finds himself in an impossible situation as he has to balance betraying a woman he loves, abandoning a sister who relies on him, and paying off his debt, all while fighting for his own survival. Keller weaves a complicated plot seamlessly into a stunning reveal in the final chapters in a story that will keep you reading deep into the night.

[Dave Gerhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read

I enjoyed the book, although I didn’t care for the ending. There was a lot of suspense built up through the book, but it became predictable about 75% into the book. The characters are perfect, but the premise of the game is a little unbelievable.

[Vernet Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all! Twists and turns, suspense, heart warming, all in one! I could not put the book down! Great read!

[Jill Opell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exceptional book. Once you start you won’t be able to put it down!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Game is a real page-turner! It hooks you in at the beginning and the excitement never quits. Great character development and shocking plot twist at the end.

[mike mushaway]

Great book, hard to put down..

[Tom Troiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

when a megalomaniac CEO recruits an unwitting protoge into a high stakes poker game, the twists and turns are fast and furious....a good read

[Terence Mccabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Fun read and timely with AI’s advent.

[Susan K Reitenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting book set in Baltimore, MD & NYC. Great characters and a lot of intrigue, twists and turns.
Enjoyed reading!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read - a page-turner with a bit of a Hallmark ending. I'm thinking perfect for a Netflix series, especially since there is a sequel coming soon. Are you listening, Netflix?

[Evelyn Arquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of reading this book 5 years ago and again a few months ago. It has gone through much editing to become what it is today, a masterpiece. This book is a true financial thriller. It has all the elements to make it a book you will read in one sitting: high stakes, reluctant espionage, romance, and a main character who is intelligent, loyal, and loves his sister to the moon and back. Though not my typical cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would suggest it to anyone who likes a book of action and business.
This review contains my own thoughts and opinions. The author has no idea I am leaving a review. I received a chance to read his book because of how proud he was of a project he has worked on for years.