Rating: 
Summary: A 'must read' before a trip to Vegas
Review: I read this book as part of a 'homework' assignment before my first trip to Las Vegas. The most intriguing thing about this book is the subtle humor Andreas uses throughout its entirety. And the fact that he thoroughly reasearches not only the hotels and the town, but the people of Las Vegas as well, makes it fascinating. He befriends a tennis instructor, an old casino 'regular' and even ends up at a gambler's anonymous meeting. The characters he ends up meeting are quite intriguing. Every time he would recount his gambling experiences, I would be applauding his wins or feeling sorry for his losses. This book is a definitely one to take with you on the plane as it certainly kept me laughing out loud and snickering to myself in the airport! I can't wait for Mr.Martinez to write similar books for every vacation destination! His writing will not tire you out....
Rating: 
Summary: Las Vegas: some like it lukewarm, by fermed
Review: ... Surely Mr. Martinez and his publisher could have pooled their creative resources and baptized this book differently. "24/7" does have a meaning, however: it represents the business hours of Las Vegas casinos (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week). And 365 days per year, except of leap-years when they are open 366, if I may add.It will be fun reading most of this book, provided you have recently been to Las Vegas, frequently go there, or intend to go there any time soon. If you don't fit into one of those categories, skip the book and read something else. I canot envison someone enjoying this book without having personally experienced, or being on the verge of experiencing, at least some of the places Mr. Martinez writes about. The book is based on the following proposition: an aspiring writer approaches a publisher with this cockamamy plan: He, the writer, will accept a $50,000 advance on a book he intends to write about going to Las Vegas with $50,000 and spending a month at the gambling tables, moving from hotel to hotel, from game to game. The $50K (advance) and the $50K (gambling kitty) will be one and the same. See? The publisher agrees and forks over $50,000. "NO! " you say. "YES! " I say; and that is how the books starts: the withdrawing of the $50 grand "book advance" from the bank, the day before departure to Las Vegas. The rest of the book is a mixed bag, at times hilariously funny, and at others downright boring. Mr. Martinez is a likable fellow, a graduate of law school with a serious talent as a comic writer. The book contains a lot of filler material (history, geography, pop psychology) much of which should have been spared and all of which is highly skipable. Given the fundamentally extraordinary notion on which the book is based, the final result of this tale is a semi-success. Perhaps if Mr. Martinez had been a drug addled psychopath with criminal intentions and awful habits the book formula would have produced a more lively tome. But then, probably, no publisher would have entrusted him with the original cash. This book is NOT a manual about gambling, and it offers very little by way of wagering tips or hints. It is a trip to Las Vegas in the company of an interesting, funny, uptight, straight-as-an-arrow companion. Some will be irritated about being guided by such a fellow through Sin City, while others will find it a wonderful experience. To each their own cup of tea.
Rating: 
Summary: Great fun, not a history lesson
Review: I really love going to Vegas but wouldn't necessarily call myself a "junkie." However, its energy and irreverance really get me going. I read this book on the way into Vegas and it really got me in the mood for the experience. Martinez's humor and light-hearted view of his day-to-day exploits really keep the book moving. You feel his pain as his "nest egg" fluctuates way up and down from his initial $50,000 advance. I found myself yelling "STOP WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD" quite a few times as he went into a couple free-falls (hmmm, I think I've told myself that a few times). He also interviews various Vegas locals to get more of a flavor of the place. I would have liked a bit more details on these locals stories and some of the gambling experiences. All in all, the book is a fun read and definitely help you get a feeling of the wildly-fluctuating experience of Vegas.
Rating:
Summary: Living it up and doubling down with 24/7
Review: First of all, I would like to apologize to all passengers within earshot of seat 10D on flight AA 963. I realize this was a long overnight flight (Dallas to Sao Paolo, Brazil) but I simply could not put this book down. As you could tell, this book is highly entertaining, and at times, very, very funny. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Martinez' vivid description of the action as he puts his $50k advance on the line places the reader next to him at the tables in the various casinos he visits. The colorful characters he meets simply jump off the page and introduce themselves to the reader as well. His witty observations, keen insights, and wonderful narrative style make this book a delight to read, regardless of the reader's interest in gambling or Vegas. My only advice is: don't read this book on a long overnight flight. There's no chance you'll get any sleep and you may get looks from fellow passengers who are desperately trying to. I can't wait to read Martinez' next book.
Rating:
Summary: A GUT-BUSTING BOOK!
Review: You've got to admire an author who has the cajones to give up his cushy job at The Wall Street Journal and risk his entire $50,000 publisher's advance at the unforgiving gaming tables of Las Vegas. Martinez's ingenious (and hare-brained) scheme drives the narrative and makes for a read that is gut-bustingly funny and fast-paced. Even if you've never wagered a dime in your life or set foot in Vegas, this book will take you there, as you sweat right along with Martinez on his noble quest for fabulous riches. I found myself rooting for Martinez to hit the jackpot during his grueling and entertaining month-long rollercoaster ride on the Las Vegas Strip. Martinez intersperses the daily account of his gambling wins and losses with witty and poignant descriptions of the quirky cast of characters he encounters in that desert playland. I look forward to reading more from this risk-taking, talented, and perceptive first-time author.
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I read this book on my way to my most recent visit to Las Vegas. Powerful stuff. Read this book and enjoy the entertainment capital of the world!
Rating:
Summary: 24/7 Living it up and doubling down in the new Las Vegas
Review: I too thought this was a good read, although it did slow down a little bit towards the end. The premise of taking 50 grand to Vegas to play with for a month is an intrigueing prospect to any of us who like to place a wager from time to time. True, Frank Scobletes writings are a bit more strategicly oriented, but Martinez's tome give us that novice gambler's frame of mind that we all were at, at one time in our gambling career. Overall I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to anyone who loves gaming in general, or Las Vegas in particular. If there is one thing you can take away from this book,gambling wise, it's to learn one or two games well, perfect your play, and have a good time. Andres,...thanks for a good read.....and..next time....stay the hell away from baccarat, and stick to blackjack....because it'll be your "own" money next time.
Rating:
Summary: Lived a little, but rarely doubled down
Review: I purchased this book two years ago and forced myself to finish it only recently. Author Andres Martinez gets three stars just for talking his publisher into advancing him $50,000 for the simple task of risking it all in Vegas and writing a book about it. Many would love to have his job. The problem with this book is it's 50 pages of fun, 50 pages of history, and about 200 pages of filler. He writes about and interviews everything he sees and everyone, and I mean everyone, he meets. From the blackjack dealers to the cab drivers, to the people sitting next to him at a show. You can easily picture him in the backseat of a cab, jotting down notes as he interrogates the guy who's just trying to drive him to his hotel. Frankly, not all of the stories were interesting. Martinez is also a painfully inept gambler. With the amount of research he put into the history of the city, a little study in gaming theory and money management would have made his gambling experience much more dramatic. Finally, considering he received "free" money, you think he could have spent time playing different games. I, for one, would have loved to see how he would have fared in a poker room. Instead, he spends the majority of his 300 pages detailing his experiences in his settled favorite, baccarat, with only the occasional detour at the blackjack tables. This is only slightly more exciting than reading about someone pulling a slot machine lever for 30 days. There are a few highlights which border on the surreal. His run-in with a minister working as a bathroom attendant in a strip club immediately comes to mind. I also chuckled as he spotted high-roller and "virtue czar" William Bennett at the Riviera, expressing his outrage over the Jerry Springer show (but certainly not gambling.) For the most part, though, you can get into more trouble in a given weekend in Vegas than Martinez did in 30 days; even if you don't have $50,000 in hand.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun, not a history lesson
Review: I really love going to Vegas but wouldn't necessarily call myself a "junkie." However, its energy and irreverance really get me going. I read this book on the way into Vegas and it really got me in the mood for the experience. Martinez's humor and light-hearted view of his day-to-day exploits really keep the book moving. You feel his pain as his "nest egg" fluctuates way up and down from his initial $50,000 advance. I found myself yelling "STOP WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD" quite a few times as he went into a couple free-falls (hmmm, I think I've told myself that a few times). He also interviews various Vegas locals to get more of a flavor of the place. I would have liked a bit more details on these locals stories and some of the gambling experiences. All in all, the book is a fun read and definitely help you get a feeling of the wildly-fluctuating experience of Vegas.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic, funny account of Vegas!
Review: This book was a great read! In addition to the clever premise, the book is incredibly informative about the history and culture of (and behind) Vegas. I got the book in preparation for a trip to Sin City, and now feel doubly prepared to exerience the highs and lows involved in visiting such a unique town. Highly recommended! I am looking forward to reading Martinez's next book.
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