Poker Novels

[Bartmanhomer]

Are there any Poker novels to read? Because I'm thinking of reading Poker novels and be inspired by writing my own poker novels.

[comicshorse]

Does it have to be Poker or any games of chance ?
'Cause 'Casino Royale' has a game of Baccarat as central to the plot (though the movie changed that to poker)

[Bartmanhomer]

Does it have to be Poker or any games of chance?
'Cause 'Casino Royale' has a game of Baccarat as central to the plot (though the movie changed that to poker)

Only Poker.

[Darth Credence]

The Cincinnati Kid, by Richard Jessup, is good. It was made into a Steve McQueen movie. I've also read a couple of books by James Swain that have poker as a minor part of the story.
There's an author that goes by Jackie Chance who has written a series of novels that feature poker. I haven't read them, but a friend of mine considers them one of her guilty pleasures.
But really, Google "poker novels" (https://www.google.com/search?q=poker+novels&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS865US865&oq=poker+novels&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0j69i60l2j69i61.2887j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8). You'll find plenty.

[Peelee]

DO you need it to be a novel and not, say a movie? Because the movie Maverick heavily involves a high-stakes poker tournament.

[Bartmanhomer]

DO you need it to be a novel and not, say a movie? Because the movie Maverick heavily involves a high-stakes poker tournament.

I didn't say a movie. I definitely say a novel. I even tagged Book on the thread title. :annoyed:

[Peelee]

I didn't say a movie. I definitely say a novel. I even tagged Book on the thread title. :annoyed:

Just checking. But good news! The novelization of the movie Maverick heavily involves a high-stakes poker tournament.

[Bartmanhomer]

Just checking. But good news! The novelization of the movie Maverick heavily involves a high-stakes poker tournament.

I know you told me that part already.

[Peelee]

I know you told me that part already.

No, I told you about the movie first. There I was telling you about the novelization. Which, as a book, fits your criteria.:smallamused:

[Keltest]

What exactly is a "poker novel" to you? Is it just any novel that happens to feature poker in it, or does poker have to be the central theme, or are you looking for a literal novelization of a single poker game or tournament?

Because some of these are more likely to exist than others.

[Bartmanhomer]

No, I told you about the movie first. There I was telling you about the novelization. Which, as a book, fits your criteria.:smallamused:

Oh ok. Anyway, I'll look into the book. I just feel very inspired to write a Poker novel. :smile:

[comicshorse]

'Last Call' by Tim Powers

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Call-FANTASY-MASTERWORKS-Powers/dp/0575116811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FUD0U4VG8FTZ&dchild=1&keywords=last+call+tim+powers&qid=1593635885&s=books&sprefix=Last+call+tim+power%2Cstripbooks%2C158&sr=1-1

[Bartmanhomer]

What exactly is a "poker novel" to you? Is it just any novel that happens to feature poker in it, or does poker have to be the central theme, or are you looking for a literal novelization of a single poker game or tournament?

Because some of these are more likely to exist than others.

All of the above. :wink:

[SKarious]

Well, if you're in the mood for modern fantasy and Tarot, there's Last Call by Tim Powers.

[Manga Shoggoth]

If you want a less serious version, Little Myth Marker (from the Myth Adventures by Robert L. Asprin) is based around a poker game and its consequences.

[tomandtish]

If you want a less serious version, Little Myth Marker (from the Myth Adventures by Robert L. Asprin) is based around a poker game and its consequences.

Although calling their version poker is kind of like calling Calvinball Kickball.

[Velaryon]

The Big Game (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77572.The_Big_Game?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=aQEkhEfzsY&rank=1) by Sandy Schofield is a Star Trek: Deep Space 9 novel where Quark hosts a poker tournament in his bar.

It's been probably 20+ years since I read it, but I remember enjoying it well enough back in the day.

[Noldo]

If other card games would also work, Bringing down the house is good (not to be confused to movie with the same name). Also serves as basis for movies 21 and the Last Casino.

[Lvl 2 Expert]

The Big Game (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77572.The_Big_Game?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=aQEkhEfzsY&rank=1) by Sandy Schofield is a Star Trek: Deep Space 9 novel where Quark hosts a poker tournament in his bar.

It's been probably 20+ years since I read it, but I remember enjoying it well enough back in the day.

That synopsis sounds pretty awesome, in a weird way.

[Velaryon]

That synopsis sounds pretty awesome, in a weird way.

It's certainly no all-time classic, but by the standards of 1990s licensed genre novels it was pretty solid.