Beneath the Cards - by Garrett Adelstein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

USA TODAY BESTSELLER

One of poker's most feared competitors reveals the triumph, scandal, and hidden cost of obsession.

Garrett Adelstein, widely recognized as the best high-stakes cash game player on earth--and the alleged mark in "Jack-Four," the most controversial hand in poker history--flips the deck in Beneath the Cards.

This gripping memoir charts Garrett's up-and-down journey to the pinnacle of poker--from online poker prodigy to livestream superstar--until one hand threatened to destroy everything he'd built. He pulls no punches, taking readers through his turbulent career and offering a riveting insider account of underground games where compulsive gamblers, seasoned grifters, and millions of dollars collide in minutes. Garrett comes clean on drunken binges, death threats, financial ruin, and public backlash. Along the way, he shares accessible poker insights and delves into the mindset required to navigate this cutthroat, unforgiving arena.

Garrett also candidly discusses his life beyond the table. He exposes his deeply personal battles with perfectionism, depression, body dysmorphia, and even his demoralizing appearance on Survivor. Through these experiences, the book examines connection, identity, and what happens when winning is no longer enough--universal themes that resonate even with those who've never played a hand.

Powered by the perceptiveness and humor that endear Garrett to poker enthusiasts worldwide, Beneath the Cards is an unforgettable ride appealing to poker fans, business professionals, sports and true crime readers, and anyone intrigued by the price of extreme competition.

Review Quotes

"A stripped-down and raw account... Garrett serves as a tour guide, giving readers a figurative seat at the table... I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed... If you're a book reader unfamiliar with poker, Beneath the Cards will introduce you to a truly unique world."--Chad Holloway, PokerNews.com

"Adelstein explores not only what made him one of the best live cash-game players of his generation, but what those same qualities cost him away from the table... What elevates Beneath the Cards is Adelstein's willingness to interrogate the entire Faustian bargain of high-stakes poker... For anyone curious about what it actually takes, and costs, to reach the highest levels of poker, Beneath the Cards is one of the more revealing accounts we have had. The hand everyone knows is only one part of the story. The more interesting book is everything around it."--Cameron Dhaliwal, Deadspin.com

"A cheap tell-all from a clunky amateur author, this ain't...Adelstein's story has plenty of poker...but at its core is not about huge hands won or problematic pots lost. Its focus is the human experience itself, family, mental health, weakness, resilience, and the path to inner peace."--Adam Hampton, Poker.org

"Garrett's book captures the world of high-stakes poker better than anything I've ever read. The stories are wild, his perspective is honest, and the J4 chapter alone is worth picking up. This is a side of poker most people never see."--Doug Polk, Professional Poker Player and Co-Founder of Upswing Poker

"Garrett's book offers a window into the anxiety, self-criticism, and drive that can push a person to accomplish great things, and the lows that accompany that. You learn the story of his career, but more importantly, you feel it. If you're chasing greatness at something difficult, it's a rare, honest, and entertaining peek behind the curtain at what excellence requires."--Phil Galfond, Professional Poker Player and Founder of Run It Once

"Garrett's life story was genuinely fascinating...Undoubtedly the best poker book of 2026 and one of the best poker biographies I've ever read. I highly recommend you check it out."--Santiago Garcia Mansilla, Cardplayer Lifestyle

"Gripping and vividly written, Garrett's book shows the work ethic, introspection, and relentlessness it takes to reach the top, inspiring you to take more calculated risks. Must-read, whether you play poker or not!"--Jennifer Shahade, Chess Champion & Author