Books

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Becoming Bobby (2012)

The darkly satirical story about what happens when an average guy is overwhelmed by fantasies of being a Vegas big shot. Brutally funny fiction from “the Dean of the world’s gambling writers.” — Detroit Free-Press.

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Reefer Gladness (2010)

“Whether it’s passing down and synthesizing long-held stoner mantras or recreating believable, emotionally stunted characters struggling to balance escapism and real world responsibility, Konik’s short, punchy prose tackles common misconceptions of marijuana (the kind he once had before his first hit) with the likeable tone of cynicism and common sense reasoning.” — Culture

“An original work that’s part fiction part social commentary.” — Los Angeles Magazine.

“This is where the personal meets the political, as those fears are internalized from a culture that’s criminalized what Konik and others insist is an essentially harmless substance. One that (with a more tolerant attitude toward legalization) could have very real medicinal, social and even taxable uses.” — Las Vegas Sun

“Reefer Gladness is a book that everyone can relate to. It is smart, funny, and honest, and appeals to readers of a wide demographic.” — Nug Magazine

“Thoughtful and persuasive, Konik’s style is sure to make the choir and skeptics alike gain a new thought. Reefer Gladness is a choice and solidly recommended read, not to be missed.” — Midwest Book Review

“This late-blossoming stoner has a potent voice that demands to be heard.” — Celebstoner.com

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The Smart Money: How the World’s Best Sports Bettors Beat the Bookies Out of Millions (2006)

“This fascinating inside look at the gambling biz reveals so much information that you would swear the author was breaking some sort of Omerta-like code of silence. Konik conceals the identities of the principle players behind fake names, but his fictionalized stand-ins are so compelling (especially the Brain Trust chieftan, Rick “Big Daddy” Matthews) that the book feels like a mixture of true-life expose and high-stakes fiction (fans of Puzo’s Fools Die may see some similarities but only in a good way). A definite must-read for the gambling crowd.” — Booklist

“Author Michael Konik’s memoir ‘The Smart Money’ is sure to set the nation’s sports gamblers on their wallets with its portrayal of a betting king named Rick “Big Daddy” Matthews.” — Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Michael Konik might have been best known for two previous books related to gambling –”The Man With the $100,000 Breasts and Telling Lies and Getting Paid”. He could have been recognized more for the fact that he was the first to do a live TV commentary on poker. Some folks recognized him as a musical talent. But now he’s sure to be known as the man who wrote about the kind of life that dreams are made of. This book provides a rare glimpse inside a unique, sometimes strange world of new generation pleasure-seekers, and it deserves to be read by today’s players.” — Casinogaming.com

“Anybody who has played the office football pool knows how easy it is to fancy yourself an expert handicapper, and just how hard it is to outsmart the Las Vegas line. Michael Konik knows these gut-wrenching ups and downs all too well. [He] deftly builds suspense throughout his fast-paced account. Konik’s fascinating memoir rings true.” — Palm Beach Post

“Big Daddy is one cool customer…he’s also one of the most feared and loathed men in Las Vegas. Much of this memoir tells how Konik goes from low to high roller as he perfects his front as a ‘square,’ or unsophisticated gambler, while shuffling stacks of cash from casino to casino and laying huge wagers for his bosses.” — New York Times

“Penned by an operative in the world’s most successful gambling ring, ‘The Smart Money’ is destined to become a gambling classic.” — Las Vegas Advisor

“Konik’s first-person narrative is reminiscent of a classic Chandler detective thriller. ‘The Smart Money’ is a riveting and juicy look at the high-stakes world of betting. Grade: A.” — Rocky Mountain News

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Ella in Europe: An American Dog’s International Adventures (2005)

“A highly convivial tour with dog. These pages offer plenty of easy fun, but they tug at something deeper as well. Ella tends to bring out the best in people, and she certainly brings it out in her owner.” — Kirkus Review

“It’s hard to imagine the stone-hearted reader who could remain unmoved by Ella and the feelings she engenders in Konik and those she encounters. ” — Publisher’s Weekly

“For readers who aren’t already dog lovers, this delightful book will make them so.” –Booklist

“A heartwarming story that will appeal to animal lovers and armchair travelers alike.” –Library Journal

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In Search of Burningbush: A Story of Golf, Friendship and the Meaning of Irons (2004)

“Few authors write as passionately about the game of golf as Michael Konik. In Search of Burningbush communicates why the greatest sport in the world has touched so many lives so deeply, including mine.” — Jack Nicklaus

“Golf is a game of Spirit and spirits. This true story, which reads like good fiction, describes a journey into golf’s magical realms.” — Michael Murphy, Author of Golf in the Kingdom

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Michael Konik’s In Search of BurningBush. As the story of one man’s quest to experience the ultimate in golf in Scotland despite all odds, it is an inspirational must read for golf fanatics.” — Ty M. Votaw, LPGA Commissioner

“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with golf.” — USA TODAY

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Telling Lies and Getting Paid: Gambling Stories (2002)

“It’s a shame bookstores will place ‘Telling Lies and Getting Paid’ in the ‘gambling book’ section, because it should be shelved amongst the other great literature of our times. Gambling merely serves as the canvas upon which Konik paints tales of the human condition.” — Detroit Free Press

“You’ll search the whole bookstore and never top Konik’s gambling writing.” — Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Michael Konik knows the gambling milieu from the inside. His collection of far-out gambling stories is both amazing and authentic.” — London Independent

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Nice Shot, Mr. Nicklaus : Stories About the Game of Golf (2000)

“Michael Konik tells fun stories that all golfers can relate to and some that they’ll even envy. He’s a terrific storyteller — and believe me, because I’ve watched him, he can really putt!” — Dave Pelz, Golf Channel Short-Game Expert

“A good read. I enjoyed the book’s entertaining stories.” — Phil Mickelson, 2004 Masters Champion

“Konik’s sense of humor and easygoing style make this one of the most pleasurable golf books available.” — Golfweek.

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The Man with the $100,000 Breasts : And Other Gambling Stories (1999)

“Michael Konik knows the world of high-rollers, big losers, hustlers and handicappers as well as anyone anywhere, and the twenty-six tales of risk and reward he recounts might read like fiction, but they’re not.” — Dallas Morning News

“If we were gambling men, we’d give big odds you’ll like Konik’s book.” — Maxim

“Konik has a deft touch with the personality profile.” — Chicago Sun-Times

“Immensely entertaining and informative – a truly stylish and accurate glimpse into the world of professional gambling.” — Midwest Book Review

“Entertaining, frequently outrageous, a unique entry in gambling literature, and altogether consistently wonderful.” — Blackjack Extra