At the end of last year, we put together a list of our picks for the best poker books of 2024, and one of them was “A New Queen’s Guide to Poker” by Sara O’Connor. In May of this year, the author published her new book, “Shuffle Up and Deal with It: Tales from Dealers Worldwide”. Spoiler alert: it will likely be one of my picks to make the list of Best Poker Books of 2025.
Sara took on the task of writing a much-needed poker book where we can learn in detail about the people who are fundamental to live poker: the dealers. Without them, we wouldn’t have tournaments, cash games, home games, satellites, heads-up duels, or any game that involves cards, players, and chips.
We invite you to first read the interview we conducted with her, where she tells us more about her work, and then you can read our brief review of the book.
Interview with Sara O’Connor
How did the idea of writing this poker book come about?
I was working on my first book, “A New Queen’s Guide to Poker”, and I realized that while beginners were learning the game, nobody was teaching them to listen to the dealers. My girlfriend and editor Shana Schwartz and I were talking and she said, “I think you have three books, not just one”, so my dealer book was solidified! We always hear from the pros, and that’s fair enough, but I wanted new players to respect and appreciate the people who literally make the game happen.
I started by interviewing two of my favorite dealers and immediately fell in love with the process. Dealers are like part referee, part entertainer, part therapist, and part chaos wrangler. They see everything. And if they don’t see it firsthand, they’ll hear about it by the next shift. Some of the stories I heard were so wild I started to wonder if I should be recording poker room tales or writing telenovelas. I wanted to produce a “tell-all” book that captures the good, the bad, and the absolutely bizarre. Dealers are the unsung heroes who keep the magic alive, and it was about time someone gave them the spotlight.
I think it was a necessary book, since dealers are a fundamental part of live poker and deserve their own book. Do you agree?
Absolutely. We’ve got pros telling their glory stories and poker strategy books stacked sky-high, but where’s the “behind the table” perspective? This book was long overdue. I can’t spill all the beans yet, but let’s just say I have a couple of projects simmering that keep dealers in the storytelling spotlight. Spoiler: I’m not done telling their stories.
If you are a dealer or dual rate and have a story you’d like to share with me, anonymously or otherwise, reach out to me via email at po***********@***il.com. If you’re nervous and want to check out my writing before you’re willing to share your story, email me for an electronic complimentary copy of my dealer book good for two weeks.
How did you manage to talk to so many people? Did you go to several poker rooms and talk to them?
Believe it or not, I’m an introvert — but when it comes to fascinating people with wild stories, suddenly I’m a social butterfly with a genuine interest in listening and engaging. Dealers are exceptionally interesting people who get front-row seats to human behavior under pressure. So, I just talked to them!
I explained my vision, promised anonymity if they wanted it, and let them read their sections before I edited them. That built trust, which is everything. Some said no (fair), some got cold feet (also fair), but many said yes, often enthusiastically. I also joined a bunch of dealer groups online and shared what I was working on. There were cheerleaders, skeptics, and at least one person who thought I was trolling. But mostly, there was this amazing sense of “Finally, someone’s asking us!” And I did. And boy, did they answer.
Two authors with their books: Lexy Gavin-Mather and Sara O’Connor
There are also several international dealers. How did you get in touch with them?
I really wanted a global perspective, because poker isn’t just Vegas and Texas; it’s everywhere. Most international dealers came through the Facebook groups I posted in, and others through good old-fashioned word of mouth. The community was wonderfully eager to share and my call for help was heard around the world.
There are a lot of incredible stories out there. Which ones surprised you the most?
This is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child — except all the children are telling scandalous or emotionally-charged secrets. Each story hit differently: some made me laugh, some made me cry, and some made me text my therapist. I even put a content warning at the front of the book because a few interviews got intense. It wasn’t always easy to process, but it made the book richer.
Why should someone pick up a copy of this book and give it a read?
If you love reality TV, documentaries, autobiographies, or juicy gossip — especially the poker room variety — this book is your jam. “Shuffle Up and Deal With It” is a global collection of raw, heartfelt, and occasionally jaw-dropping tales from the people running the games we love. They know us. Now it’s time we get to know them. Plus, no subscription fees, no autoplay trailers; just pure dealer storytelling.
Do you have plans to write a new book?
Yes! Actually, two. First up is “Between the Blinds: Interviews with Poker Professionals”, a collection of pro interviews. You might’ve already caught a sneak peek on Pokerati. I wanted it ready for the holidays, but it’s looking more like early 2026 (hey, good things take time).
The second is my debut fiction book, and let’s just say… it’s got some spice. Think: young lawyer discovers she has bipolar disorder, starts playing poker during COVID, crushes tournaments post-lockdown, then meets her online poker crew in Vegas. Cue hijinks, poker drama, and a sprinkle of smut. Will she torch her bankroll in one manic high-stakes session? Will she rise like a phoenix? Stay tuned.
These days, books are often replaced by streaming platforms and social media. What would you say to someone who wants to get back into the reading habit?
First, confession: I’m on TikTok now @PokerWithSara. I’m making quick, digestible clips about my book — because if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Second, be gentle with yourself. After COVID, my own attention span felt like it had gone on vacation without telling me. Start with books that grip you from page one. “Shuffle Up and Deal With It” was written to hook you — short sections, vivid voices, and no dry stretches. Think of it as easing back into reading, one wild poker story at a time.
Great company for a rainy day!
Poker Book Review: Shuffle Up and Deal With It
Poker books have been published for over 50 years, but never has a book compiled the experiences of dealers from around the world. This is the first time we’ve been able to read about their motivations, their challenges, their downfalls, the biggest hands they’ve dealt, the biggest tip they’ve ever received, and the lessons their work has taught them. The dealers are the protagonists of this unique book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading their experiences.
It’s also a great book of stories. The dealers worked in hundreds of casinos, private games, and dangerous underground games. They experienced a lot at the tables, and the stories they tell are incredible. I don’t want to give too much away, so you’ll be surprised when you read them, but you’ll read about bad beats jackpots, celebrities at the tables, and a hand in the middle of an earthquake.
An important clarification is necessary: not all the anecdotes they share are funny, and many provoke sadness and indignation. Many of the dealers receive insults, hateful looks, threats, and even got spit on at work. They also have to deal cards to drunks, drug users, and addicts who are gambling away their last bit of money. Some of the experiences they share are very explicit, but they reflect the reality they sometimes face.
In short, I think dealers deserved their own book, and Sara pays them a great tribute. Who is this book aimed at? Poker story lovers and those who want to learn more about the fascinating world of dealers. It will also be of great help to those planning to work as a dealer, as the book’s protagonists offer several pieces of advice.
Book Information: By The Numbers
- Title: “Shuffle Up and Deal With It: Tales from Dealers Worldwide”
- Author: Sara O’Connor
- Year of Publication: 2025
- Pages: 252
- Amazon Rating: 5 ⭐️ (out of 5)
- Prices: $20 Paperback / $15 Kindle
- Where to buy it? Amazon
- You can read an excerpt of the book here
Those who read the book, please don’t forget to leave an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads, as it only takes a few minutes and is very helpful to the authors.
