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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: Jackie Chance Publisher: Berkley |
Over the past couple of years Texas Hold ‘Em Poker has become a rage around the world. It was only a matter of
time when the market became flooded with books that helped players to play a better game by guiding them through
the ins and outs of the game. However, author Jackie Chance offers readers something a little bit different with her
release of “Death on the Flop,” a mystery novel that is solely focused on the game of poker. It is a very fun and
clever book with a title that plays perfectly into the game. For those that are uneducated in the field of poker, the last
work in the title, flop” refers to the first three cards that are turned and used and the community cards in a typical
game. Though Texas Hold ‘Em Poker is a simple game to learn, it takes a lifetime to master, and many will never
know what happens behind the scenes of the game.
Belinda Cooley says goodbye to the life she was used to after she catches her boss with another woman. She
leaves her boyfriend, quits her job and has just turned forty. She feels as though she has hit rock bottom. However,
Ben, Belinda’s twin brother thinks that he has a way to cheer up his sister, by taking her to Las Vegas to watch him
play in a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament at a new casino. This isn’t just any tournament though, since one of Ben’s
opponents is Steely Stan, a man whose nickname speaks both of his playing style in the game and his lifestyle away
from the table.
Stan is one of the main characters in the game because he is rumored to have his hands into everything Vegas, both
public and private. Not only does he take part in the poker games, but he also has policemen who are able to ignore
when he is doing something illegal. This of course shows that Stan and the cops work well together in a variety of
ways. It is Ben who wants to put a stop to Stan’s reign as the poker king.
With a last name like Chance, writing books that are based around games seems to be a perfect fit. When Ben fails
to show up for the tournament, Belinda realizes that she must take his place while trying to find out what happened to
her brother. Since her first initial and last name matches her brother’s, she decides the switch will work. There is
only one problem; Belinda has never played poker before in her life. Along the way, she meets a man named Frank.
He explains to her that his business is security, but it is clear that he doesn’t work for the hotel hosting the
tournament. Readers will be left wondering who the mystery man is. Belinda has a few suspicions, but she knows
that Frank is the only way she can find Ben. Though she has a mind for business, Belinda needs someone who
understands both players and territory and Frank fits the bill.
Shady people and a quick moving plot make for a very interesting story. Chance shows readers there is more to this
story than meets the eye. Belinda, once she takes care of business also offers players a few tips for those who find
the game to be fascinating, but don’t know a spade from a club. This is a great book for poker fans and those who
enjoy mysteries.
time when the market became flooded with books that helped players to play a better game by guiding them through
the ins and outs of the game. However, author Jackie Chance offers readers something a little bit different with her
release of “Death on the Flop,” a mystery novel that is solely focused on the game of poker. It is a very fun and
clever book with a title that plays perfectly into the game. For those that are uneducated in the field of poker, the last
work in the title, flop” refers to the first three cards that are turned and used and the community cards in a typical
game. Though Texas Hold ‘Em Poker is a simple game to learn, it takes a lifetime to master, and many will never
know what happens behind the scenes of the game.
Belinda Cooley says goodbye to the life she was used to after she catches her boss with another woman. She
leaves her boyfriend, quits her job and has just turned forty. She feels as though she has hit rock bottom. However,
Ben, Belinda’s twin brother thinks that he has a way to cheer up his sister, by taking her to Las Vegas to watch him
play in a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament at a new casino. This isn’t just any tournament though, since one of Ben’s
opponents is Steely Stan, a man whose nickname speaks both of his playing style in the game and his lifestyle away
from the table.
Stan is one of the main characters in the game because he is rumored to have his hands into everything Vegas, both
public and private. Not only does he take part in the poker games, but he also has policemen who are able to ignore
when he is doing something illegal. This of course shows that Stan and the cops work well together in a variety of
ways. It is Ben who wants to put a stop to Stan’s reign as the poker king.
With a last name like Chance, writing books that are based around games seems to be a perfect fit. When Ben fails
to show up for the tournament, Belinda realizes that she must take his place while trying to find out what happened to
her brother. Since her first initial and last name matches her brother’s, she decides the switch will work. There is
only one problem; Belinda has never played poker before in her life. Along the way, she meets a man named Frank.
He explains to her that his business is security, but it is clear that he doesn’t work for the hotel hosting the
tournament. Readers will be left wondering who the mystery man is. Belinda has a few suspicions, but she knows
that Frank is the only way she can find Ben. Though she has a mind for business, Belinda needs someone who
understands both players and territory and Frank fits the bill.
Shady people and a quick moving plot make for a very interesting story. Chance shows readers there is more to this
story than meets the eye. Belinda, once she takes care of business also offers players a few tips for those who find
the game to be fascinating, but don’t know a spade from a club. This is a great book for poker fans and those who
enjoy mysteries.
