Normally when you’re writing your autobiography, you’ve achieved all the goals that you’ve set for your life. For poker professional, Poker Hall of Famer and World Poker Tour analyst Mike Sexton, however, it is difficult to believe that he has achieved everything that he wants to do with his life quite yet. With that said, his autobiography entitled “Life’s A Gamble” (quite the coup for D&B Publishing to get the rights and get it in the bookstore on July 7 and online for $24.95 U. S. or £17.99 British) is a well-timed entry into the poker book world and is an entertaining ride through the life of Sexton.
As with any biography, we learn about Sexton’s early life in Ohio and how he caught the gambling “bug” as a young boy. Through his buddy Danny Robison (who himself became a legendary gambler before his untimely death in 2014), Sexton would learn the ins and outs of betting on pretty much anything that Robison wanted to wager. The problem was that Robison always ensured that he had the edge when he bet with Sexton, something that was key to Sexton learning the “ways of the game” when it comes to gambling.
After graduating from Ohio State, Sexton went on to the Army, serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg. It is here that Sexton’s appetite for gambling – especially poker – is further fed and, free from getting the “short end” against Robison, he actually shows quite a proclivity at many forms of gambling. After working as a ballroom dance instructor for a bit following his discharge from the Army, the gambling bug further entices Sexton in the late 1970s and, by the mid-1980s, Sexton makes his home in Las Vegas to pursue the life of a gambler.
While the backstory on Sexton is quite good, “Life’s A Gamble” doesn’t truly hit its stride until Sexton starts to tell some of the “war stories” about gambling and the people that he came across. Players such as David “Chip” Reese (like Sexton, from Dayton, OH), Doyle Brunson, “Puggy” Pearson, Stu Ungar and Billy Baxter all have chapters devoted to Sexton’s tales and there are two dedicated “gambling stories” chapters that feature other prominent names in the poker and gambling worlds and should serve as a test of anyone who thinks they have the backbone to get into the lifestyle. If many examine it closely, they would realize it takes a special person to make a living in this manner!
Sexton also regales his readers with the stories of the birth of partypoker and how he was integral to its growth and success. From meeting with the original owners of the website, Ruth Parasol and company, to the development of the PartyPoker Million, Sexton demonstrates that not only did he have a feel for gambling, he also had a feel for the business side of the equation. This would prove to be a necessity when Sexton stepped into his next endeavor.
When it comes to the WPT, Sexton gives the readers some of the backstory as to how the tour battled to become viable. He talks about his relationships with Steve Lipscomb (the founder of the WPT) and fellow Poker Hall of Famer Lyle Berman (the “money” behind the WPT) and how they were the ones who caused the “poker boom” of the early Aughts. “Make no mistake about it,” Sexton writes, “it wasn’t online poker or the “Moneymaker Effect” (the win in 2003 by Chris Moneymaker at the World Series of Poker Championship Event) that caused the poker explosion. The primary reason – without question – was the WPT. The WPT literally changed the poker world forever.”
There’s also a chapter on the WSOP, but it is more of a historical remembrance of the first 30 years of the tournament, Sexton’s thoughts on his participation in the events and a chance to relate a few more stories about the characters that make up the poker world.
While the book is quite entertaining and easy to read (at 267 pages, I finished it in a few hours), there is a negative critique that can be seen. There is little to no adversity mentioned in the book, perhaps because of Sexton’s upbeat attitude about life (he IS a pretty happy guy in general, it must be noted). He doesn’t offer any tales from the “dark side” of the game (even Ungar’s drug usage is kind of glossed over) or any potential lessons that someone might be able to identify in themselves. Even in his own personal life, Sexton never offers any thoughts about how to get through some of the tough times he might have faced, from being the child of divorced parents to being “in between bankrolls” (as Sexton likes to put it).
He also doesn’t delve into sometimes the questionable traits of some of the people he worked with. It is quite well known that Parasol made her fortune before partypoker in the 1-800 sex phone line industry, but Sexton doesn’t note this fact. The less-than pleasant sides of Ungar, who could be quite a demon to dealers, is something Sexton admits and says he disliked, but he doesn’t discuss fully those situations or why one of the greatest poker players ever felt he had to do those things. Some of his own private thoughts on those issues and some of the other scandals in the poker world (both “Black Friday” and the Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet collapses are mentioned in passing) would have added a bit of spice to the book and may have made it more intriguing for some readers.
It is a nice summertime read, but “Life’s A Gamble” might have been more engrossing if it had offered some thoughts to the readers on all levels of gambling, the good and bad, the “dark side” and “the light.” As it is, it is a nice way to get Sexton’s thoughts on the exciting journey he’s taken in his life (honestly, was he ever not an unabashed success at anything he ever did?). If you’re looking for something just to read by the pool and enjoy, “Life’s A Gamble” is worth the price of admission. If you’re looking for a sordid tale or poker strategy, then you might want to pass Sexton’s book on the rack.
Mike Sexton has 100 great qualities and only less than stellar one. He is a superb poker player, businessman, gymnast, visionary, and has true class, in the best meaning of the word. An absolute Gentleman; a scarce quality indeed. My only criticism (and, of course, it’s just one person’s perspective; he needs my feedback like an elephant needs a toothpick), is as an announcer. It’s just not a talent/skill he has. This is, of course, selfish of me, I’d prefer not having to mute the sound on a WPT broadcast. At any rate, as a person and integral member of the poker community, I wish him every possible (further) success. As an announcer, I wish him a small, and innocuous (but recurring) case of laryngitis.
DB,—–I totally disagree with your comment about Mike Sexton’s ability to annonce,–I personally think he does a great job ,he is the reason I watch the WPT!!–also that is why Lipscomb hired he for his ability and knowledge!!—-Good Job Mike and Vince!!!
Nevada68
The thing about Sexton that doesn’t get enough attention is how consistently good he has been as a player over a long period of time. He is now in his 60s and still cashes several times a year on the WPT.
When people talk about players who have been winners for a long period of time, the names Negranu and Hellmuth (both quite a bit younger than Sexton) always come up, but Sexton has been playing at a very high high level longer than just about anyone.
i know sexton very, he’s been a good friend of mine for 40 years. he has seen the very worst and the best of the poker world. his book however doesn’t really go into any depth of this and for good reason. he is the poker ambassador, but i can assure you that he has been in very bad times in his life. in true form he overcame those hard times and came through in flying color . make no mistake he did overcome and went on to great success in all aspects of his life. its not often that a single person can be the most well respected person in his field. he is a great friend and has been for 40 years and i have the utmost respect for him and support him in any way i can.