This is the ultimate Las Vegas build up book, and although it's now getting on for ten years old, many of the themes and thoughts are still fresh. The book charts how Martinez performs when taking his $50,000 book advance money spending 30 nights in Sin City staying at 10 different hotels for 3 nights a piece. You live through the excitement of his pre-Vegas planning (including struggling to actually get the money out of his account) through to his 30 day conclusion and then two or three further visits.
Martinez covers the period (1998-99) where the Strip was in the midst of a massive boom, with several new hotels coming online in a short period of time (Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Paris and Venetian) but he doesn't just stick to the "new Las Vegas", in his itinerary are the Riveria, the Golden Gate and the Sunset Station. He also takes the effort to go to church, and also to invite his wife and mother-in-law for part of the ride.
The chapters are nicely split up to cover each hotel's stay and at the end of each day there is a nest egg (the $50,000) current total update. Andres makes an effort to play all of the casino games, but ultimately there are favourites that he spends most of his time in (blackjack and baccarat mainly). One area which can be considered well out of the date is the coverage of the World Series of Poker, the game has moved on massively here, and most hotels now have huge Poker Rooms. Between all the casino action, there are also interviews and stories with a wide range of Vegas residents.
You have to give Martinez credit for sticking it out, for I can only take Sin City in very small doses (a week max) (although he does take a small break back to California half way through to get away from it all). The fact that he is continually staying in new hotels and seeing different places means that the book doesn't get too monotonous, and I think Martinez makes a good effort to make sure that he mixes it up a lot with his playing as well.
As you would expect there are times where he reaches unbelievable highs (he does very well at the Hard Rock for example) and desperate lows (twice at the Luxor there are substantial losing runs, including the a terrible chasing session with credit card cash advances), I guess what one could expect when visiting Vegas yourself.
In conclusion I would recommend this book for any would be Vegas visitor, there are some good lessons to be learnt with regards to money management etc, and it really does show Vegas in its true light.
My rating: 92%
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