On the finish of final 12 months, we put collectively a listing of our picks for one of the best poker books of 2024, and one among them was “A New Queen’s Information to Poker” by Sara O’Connor. In Could of this 12 months, the creator printed her new e-book, “Shuffle Up and Take care of It: Tales from Sellers Worldwide”. Spoiler alert: it should doubtless be one among my picks to make the checklist of Greatest Poker Books of 2025.
Sara took on the duty of writing a much-needed poker e-book the place we are able to be taught intimately concerning the people who find themselves basic to reside poker: the sellers. With out them, we wouldn’t have tournaments, money video games, dwelling video games, satellites, heads-up duels, or any recreation that entails playing cards, gamers, and chips.
We invite you to first learn the interview we carried out together with her, the place she tells us extra about her work, after which you’ll be able to learn our temporary evaluate of the e-book.
Interview with Sara O’Connor
How did the thought of scripting this poker e-book come about?
I used to be engaged on my first e-book, “A New Queen’s Information to Poker”, and I noticed that whereas newcomers had been studying the sport, no person was instructing them to take heed to the sellers. My girlfriend and editor Shana Schwartz and I had been speaking and he or she mentioned, “I feel you might have three books, not only one”, so my seller e-book was solidified! We all the time hear from the professionals, and that’s truthful sufficient, however I wished new gamers to respect and recognize the individuals who actually make the sport occur.
I began by interviewing two of my favourite sellers and instantly fell in love with the method. Sellers are like half referee, half entertainer, half therapist, and half chaos wrangler. They see the whole lot. And in the event that they don’t see it firsthand, they’ll hear about it by the subsequent shift. Among the tales I heard had been so wild I began to surprise if I needs to be recording poker site tales or writing telenovelas. I wished to supply a “tell-all” e-book that captures the nice, the dangerous, and the completely weird. Sellers are the unsung heroes who maintain the magic alive, and it was about time somebody gave them the highlight.
I feel it was a mandatory e-book, since sellers are a basic a part of reside poker and deserve their very own e-book. Do you agree?
Completely. We’ve bought execs telling their glory tales and poker technique books stacked sky-high, however the place’s the “behind the desk” perspective? This e-book was lengthy overdue. I can’t spill all of the beans but, however let’s simply say I’ve a few initiatives simmering that maintain sellers within the storytelling highlight. Spoiler: I’m not executed telling their tales.
In case you are a seller or twin price and have a narrative you’d wish to share with me, anonymously or in any other case, attain out to me through electronic mail at po***********@***il.com. When you’re nervous and wish to take a look at my writing earlier than you’re keen to share your story, electronic mail me for an digital complimentary copy of my seller e-book good for 2 weeks.
How did you handle to speak to so many individuals? Did you go to a number of poker rooms and speak to them?
Consider it or not, I’m an introvert — however relating to fascinating individuals with wild tales, abruptly I’m a social butterfly with a real curiosity in listening and interesting. Sellers are exceptionally fascinating individuals who get front-row seats to human habits underneath stress. So, I simply talked to them!
I defined my imaginative and prescient, promised anonymity in the event that they wished it, and allow them to learn their sections earlier than I edited them. That constructed belief, which is the whole lot. Some mentioned no (truthful), some bought chilly ft (additionally truthful), however many mentioned sure, typically enthusiastically. I additionally joined a bunch of seller teams on-line and shared what I used to be engaged on. There have been cheerleaders, skeptics, and at the least one one that thought I used to be trolling. However principally, there was this wonderful sense of “Lastly, somebody’s asking us!” And I did. And boy, did they reply.
Two authors with their books: Lexy Gavin-Mather and Sara O’Connor
There are additionally a number of worldwide sellers. How did you get in contact with them?
I actually wished a world perspective, as a result of poker isn’t simply Vegas and Texas; it’s all over the place. Most worldwide sellers got here via the Fb teams I posted in, and others via good old style phrase of mouth. The neighborhood was splendidly desperate to share and my name for assist was heard around the globe.
There are a variety of unimaginable tales on the market. Which of them shocked you probably the most?
That is like asking a mother or father to choose a favourite youngster — besides all the kids are telling scandalous or emotionally-charged secrets and techniques. Every story hit otherwise: some made me snort, some made me cry, and a few made me textual content my therapist. I even put a content material warning on the entrance of the e-book as a result of a couple of interviews bought intense. It wasn’t all the time simple to course of, but it surely made the e-book richer.
Why ought to somebody decide up a duplicate of this e-book and provides it a learn?
When you love actuality TV, documentaries, autobiographies, or juicy gossip — particularly the poker site selection — this e-book is your jam. “Shuffle Up and Deal With It” is a world assortment of uncooked, heartfelt, and infrequently jaw-dropping tales from the individuals operating the video games we love. They know us. Now it’s time we get to know them. Plus, no subscription charges, no autoplay trailers; simply pure seller storytelling.
Do you might have plans to jot down a brand new e-book?
Sure! Really, two. First up is “Between the Blinds: Interviews with Poker Professionals”, a group of professional interviews. You would possibly’ve already caught a sneak peek on Pokerati. I wished it prepared for the vacations, but it surely’s wanting extra like early 2026 (hey, good issues take time).
The second is my debut fiction e-book, and let’s simply say… it’s bought some spice. Assume: younger lawyer discovers she has bipolar dysfunction, begins enjoying poker throughout COVID, crushes tournaments post-lockdown, then meets her on-line poker crew in Vegas. Cue hijinks, poker drama, and a sprinkle of smut. Will she torch her bankroll in a single manic high-stakes session? Will she rise like a phoenix? Keep tuned.
Today, books are sometimes changed by streaming platforms and social media. What would you say to somebody who desires to get again into the studying behavior?
First, confession: I’m on TikTok now @PokerWithSara. I’m making fast, digestible clips about my e-book — as a result of in case you can’t beat ‘em, be part of ‘em. Second, be light with your self. After COVID, my very own consideration span felt prefer it had gone on trip with out telling me. Begin with books that grip you from web page one. “Shuffle Up and Deal With It” was written to hook you — quick sections, vivid voices, and no dry stretches. Consider it as easing again into studying, one wild poker story at a time.
Nice firm for a wet day!
Poker Ebook Assessment: Shuffle Up and Deal With It
Poker books have been printed for over 50 years, however by no means has a e-book compiled the experiences of sellers from around the globe. That is the primary time we’ve been in a position to examine their motivations, their challenges, their downfalls, the largest arms they’ve dealt, the largest tip they’ve ever obtained, and the teachings their work has taught them. The sellers are the protagonists of this distinctive e-book, and I completely loved studying their experiences.
It’s additionally an awesome e-book of tales. The sellers labored in lots of of casinos, personal video games, and harmful underground video games. They skilled loads on the tables, and the tales they inform are unimaginable. I don’t wish to give an excessive amount of away, so that you’ll be shocked whenever you learn them, however you’ll examine dangerous beats jackpots, celebrities on the tables, and a hand in the midst of an earthquake.
An necessary clarification is critical: not all of the anecdotes they share are humorous, and lots of provoke unhappiness and indignation. Most of the sellers obtain insults, hateful appears, threats, and even bought spit on at work. In addition they must deal playing cards to drunks, drug customers, and addicts who’re playing away their final bit of cash. Among the experiences they share are very specific, however they replicate the truth they generally face.
Briefly, I feel sellers deserved their very own e-book, and Sara pays them an awesome tribute. Who is that this e-book aimed toward? Poker story lovers and people who wish to be taught extra concerning the fascinating world of sellers. It is going to even be of nice assist to these planning to work as a seller, because the e-book’s protagonists provide a number of items of recommendation.
Ebook Info: By The Numbers
Title: “Shuffle Up and Deal With It: Tales from Sellers Worldwide”Creator: Sara O’ConnorYear of Publication: 2025Pages: 252Amazon Ranking: 5 ⭐️ (out of 5)Costs: $20 Paperback / $15 KindleWhere to purchase it? AmazonYou can learn an excerpt of the e-book right here
Those that learn the e-book, please don’t neglect to go away an sincere evaluate on Amazon and Goodreads, because it solely takes a couple of minutes and could be very useful to the authors.
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