Beneath the Cards

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 earthand the alleged mark in ';Jack-Four,' the most controversial hand in poker historyflips the deck in Beneath the Cards. This gripping memoir charts Garrett's up-and-down journey to the pinnacle of pokerfrom online poker prodigy to livestream superstaruntil 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 enoughuniversal 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.