Big Deal

“A remarkable odyssey – part Damon Runyon, part Dostoevsky … His insights into the peculiar alchemy of character and fate that draws writers to poker turns his book into a high-stakes psychological thriller.” – Vanity Fair“An entertaining tale, made all the more so by Holden’s smooth prose and gift for self-deprecation.” – The Washington Post“Mr. Holden writes with extreme grace and wit … [Big Deal is one of the] best books on poker.” – The New York Times“Poker, as Anthony Holden astutely points out, is a lot like life. This idea informs his very funny book, with its priceless descriptions of hands, bluffs, and fellow players.” – Los Angeles Times

Anthony Holden is an award-winning journalist who has published more than thirty books, including He Played For His Wife…And Other Stories and biographies of Laurence Olivier, Tchaikovsky, and Shakespeare. He has published translations of opera, ancient Greek plays, and poetry. He was director of European Film and Television at Exclusive Media, where he helped relaunch Britain’s most famous film production label, Hammer. Anthony Holden lives in London.