Pokergeist in Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie

Mar 11, 2019 Miranda Reads rated it liked it

Shelves: received-to-review

3.5 stars

"It feels irresponsible. What if it doesn't work?...It goes against everything my parents taught me."

Telly has always had this wild, crazy dream - to become a professional poker player.

Only there were a few things that got in the way...talent and...well, that's pretty much it.

He was a bad poker player.

How bad? Very bad.

But, through a coincidence of wishes, Clutch - a recently deceased world-class poker player - and Telly are now connected.

"But you're dead. You can't h

...more

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Sep 17, 2015 Wanda Maynard rated it it was amazing

There is a lot of suspense and remarkably a lot of spiritually encounters with those that have gone on but don’t want to move on, or go into the light, in this uniquely altered tale by Michael Phillip Cash. POKERGEIST is about an apparition by the name of Clutch Henderson that is a poker connoisseur per say, and he wanted or needed Telly’s help. And, the only way he knew was to become visible before Telly. But when he did he just about caused poor Telly to jump out of his skin. Telly couldn’t b There is a lot of suspense and remarkably a lot of spiritually encounters with those that have gone on but don’t want to move on, or go into the light, in this uniquely altered tale by Michael Phillip Cash. POKERGEIST is about an apparition by the name of Clutch Henderson that is a poker connoisseur per say, and he wanted or needed Telly’s help. And, the only way he knew was to become visible before Telly. But when he did he just about caused poor Telly to jump out of his skin. Telly couldn’t believe what was happening to him. He seemed to think that he might be hallucinating, or something. One of my favorite parts in the book is, the first time Telly saw Clutch. I pictured him as he closed his eyes and screamed as loud as he could. I saw his mouth as a gaping black hole. I also heard what sounded like a rusty wind instrument as the air squeezed out of his lungs, and actually pictured Clutch covering Telly’s mouth with his ghostly, icy-cold,
white hand to try and quiet him. To me, that showed the artistic skills of the author, to be able to show such actions, through words, to the reader. All of the characters in this wonderful story seemed so real to me. I loved all of them, especially Telly, Gretchen, and ill-tempered old Clutch.
Clutch is one of those boisterous kind of ghosts. The kind that pick and choose whomever they want to appear before, or why he was sent back. No one can see Clutch but Telly, and Telly didn’t want anything to do with Clutch and tried to tell him to go away, and that he didn’t want to risk what he had in order to try and win at poker. Clutch didn’t believe Telly and started to hang around him all the time. Then, right after Telly told his wife Gretchen about Clutch, she didn’t believe him.
Suddenly that’s when the plot thickened and Telly kept getting more angry at Clutch, and nobody wanted to believe anything Telly said after that; because Clutch made Telly’s life so uncomfortable, that finally, Telly gave in and agreed to go with Clutch and play in the International Series of Poker. But can Telly truly trust Clutch? Was Clutch wanting this poker series to please himself, or was he sent back to Earth to help Telly? Clutch already had his chance to win big, but will he get a second chance? How will he do it? Does Telly, the fellow with the worse luck possible, have a chance to win big at poker? This book will grab you and not let go until the end. Great read. ...more

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Sep 11, 2015 Shelly Itkin rated it really liked it

Remember when you were younger and you read about opening a bottle and the “genie “ magically appeared and was able to grant your special wishes?. This story reminded me of that same kind of special chance that a person is given again.

Telly Martin is a wonderful and caring man who is down on his luck after losing his job. He wants to be a professional poker player so that he can prove to himself and others that he can accomplish his dreams. His wife allows him to pursue it for a while but he is ...more

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Aug 26, 2015 M.M. Hudson rated it it was amazing

When I started reading this new book by Michael Phillip Cash, I was not going to be what I Certain thrilled with it. However, de author did not disappoint.

This time he had two main characters. His first, Clutch, Is One That was gritty, unruly, and just plain rude. He is a professional poker player and lives in the seedier part of Las Vegas. When he and this subsequently Becomes A Ghost (this is Noted in the summary), he Becomes a destructive force in death as he what in life.

On the otherhand, p ...more

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Jul 25, 2015 Charles rated it it was amazing

Poker made entertaining via unusual characters

This story moves quickly, both in terms of events and in ease of reading. It is one of those stories that just seems to flow smoothly, even though there is no dramatic action. Although there are millions of dollars at stake.
Clutch Henderson is an excellent poker player, he is vying for the championship of the International Series of Poker and when he loses in the last match, he drops dead. Clutch has also left behind a bit of a mess, he is still l ...more

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Jul 27, 2015 Grady rated it it was amazing

`You've read at least one of my books. Believe me, you know me pretty well.'

New York author Michael Phillip Cash has a rich imagination, a gift that comes from being grounded and secure with life as being lived. That he is able from that strong stance to create stories embellishes his evident gifts as a writer. In his debut novel BROOD X and in STILLWELL he was able to create a terrifying tales out of things seen or magnify things seen to become ghastly distortions of credible possibilities. In `You've read at least one of my books. Believe me, you know me pretty well.'

New York author Michael Phillip Cash has a rich imagination, a gift that comes from being grounded and secure with life as being lived. That he is able from that strong stance to create stories embellishes his evident gifts as a writer. In his debut novel BROOD X and in STILLWELL he was able to create a terrifying tales out of things seen or magnify things seen to become ghastly distortions of credible possibilities. In THE HANGING TREE, he took a step further in the arena of ghosts, and if the reader wants current thought on the subject, the following is an encyclopedic comment: `Ghosts have been a popular subject for millennia, appearing in countless stories, from "Macbeth" to the Bible, and even spawning their own folklore genre: ghost stories. Ghosts are perhaps the most common paranormal belief in the world. Part of the reason is that belief in ghosts is part of a larger web of related paranormal beliefs, including near-death experience, life after death, and spirit communication. The idea that the dead remain with us in spirit is an ancient one, and one that offers many people comfort: who doesn't want to believe that our beloved but deceased family members aren't looking out for us, or with us in our times of need? Most people believe in ghosts because of personal experience; they have seen or sensed some unexplained presence.' Cash left this world of ghosts for another diversion - his Trilogy THE DARRACIA SAGA - in which he created a sci-fi exploration that for this reader, who has read all of his novels, is a less successful series. Gratefully he returned to a territory he owns - supernatural ghost stories like his THE FLIP. THE AFTER HOUSE carried the aroma of Melville, Conrad, and other writers who have made the sea a principal character. Then he moved his tent into another realm - the arena of witches. And out came WITCHES PROTECTION PROGRAM and yet another leap of faith in to historical fiction - and in selecting this title he plays with words in a way that produces a chuckle.

And if you are a died in the wool Michael Phillip Cash fan you'll go with him any where - and here he brings us another realm of quasi paranormal stories about ghosts: from the title you know he has maintained his keen sense of humor. This 10th novel - POKERGEIST - does not demand that you know boo bots about poker (this reader doesn't but that certainly didn't diminish the pleasure of Michael's outing this time). It is just a solid little story full of some terrific twists and turns that keep you glued to the book for an evening's read.

The synopsis: `Sometimes life, as well as death, is about second chances. Luckless Telly Martin doesn't have a clue. An awful gambler trying to scrape by as a professional poker player, he becomes the protégé of world famous poker champion Clutch Henderson. The only catch...Clutch is a ghost. Telly and Clutch must navigate the seedy gambling underbelly of Las Vegas learning to trust each other in order to win the elusive International Series of Poker, repair their shattered personal relationships and find redemption in this life and the hereafter.'

If you're just discovering Michael Phillip Cash, welcome aboard - you will love his writing and his mind. If you are a hardcore fan, this book will in no way disappoint - and you may even learn about poker!
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Aug 14, 2015 Mareena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-but-unowned, paperback, 2010-2029, 90-95, horror, ebook, read-on-my-kindle-nook, bought-from-amazon, author-sent-to-me-for-review, netgalley

Sometimes life - as well as death - is all about second chances. During his lifetime, Oliver 'Clutch' Henderson was considered by many to be one of the best poker players in the world. As a matter of fact, he had even written several books on the subject and gained quite the following for himself along the poker circuit. Clutch had always viewed the game of poker as intrinsic to living the best lifestyle possible; and while his legions of fans unanimously agreed that he went exactly the way he w Sometimes life - as well as death - is all about second chances. During his lifetime, Oliver 'Clutch' Henderson was considered by many to be one of the best poker players in the world. As a matter of fact, he had even written several books on the subject and gained quite the following for himself along the poker circuit. Clutch had always viewed the game of poker as intrinsic to living the best lifestyle possible; and while his legions of fans unanimously agreed that he went exactly the way he would have wanted - playing poker in a tournament - they nevertheless deeply mourned the passing of the legendary Clutch Henderson.

Telly Martin has absolutely no clue what to do next in his life. After losing his job as an IT computer specialist for a casino - for the first time ever - Telly finds himself at a complete loss. Determined to find a way to become a professional poker player - even though he is turning out to be supremely unlucky as a gambler - Telly makes an impossible wish over a casino fountain in Las Vegas: and suddenly finds himself being mentored by a world-famous poker champion. The only catch...Telly's mentor is none other than the late and very-much-lamented Clutch Henderson.

Together, this unlikely pair of card-sharps must now navigate their way through the seedy gambling underbelly of Las Vegas. However Telly, the hapless poker protégé - and Clutch, the vaunted 'King of Poker' - will first have to learn to trust each other if they are to have any chance at all of winning an elusive spot in the 'International Series of Poker'. Meanwhile, they must find a way to repair their shattered personal relationships and find redemption - both in this life as well as in the hereafter.

First of all, let me say that although I may have classified this book as horror - the horror is more comedic rather than thrilling. I actually had the pleasure of reading another of Michael Phillip Cash's books - Schism: The Battle For Darracia back in June of 2014. This book was just as pleasurable for me to read; in my opinion, the author has created engaging and believable characters and an intriguingly well-developed plot. I'm also delighted to say that Mr. Cash has somehow managed to achieve a near impossibility with me: I'm actually beginning to appreciate poker!

To be perfectly honest, I've never paid that much attention to poker. Having never actually played the game myself, I guess that I just couldn't really understand the draw of it as a profession. Having said that, I would certainly give this book an A! ...more

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Nov 23, 2015 Gayle Pace rated it really liked it

Shelves: suspense, fantasy, fun, ghosts

Las Vegas is a world all of its own. A totally different air about it. Poker is played in BIG competitions. Strategy and sizing up your opponents is the key to deciding who is king.

As Kenny Roger"s song says, "know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. Being a winner along with being a Pro, Clutch Henderson was just that. He made it to the table that is worth millions of dollars. Lady Luck wasn't on his side. Once again he didn't make it and his heart failed him.He hadn't become famous as ...more

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Nov 02, 2015 Melanie Adkins rated it it was amazing

Telly Martin is a down on his luck poker player. He's been trying to get that one big win for him and his girlfriend. Then they can start life somewhere else and have all they need. Telly's girlfriend gives him one more chance to win. Then, win or lose, they move on. She doesn't count on Telly meeting Clutch Henderson. Who is Clutch? A poker champion that comes from a line of poker champions. If he can't win, then something is wrong. The thing is, Clutch is dead. Yep dead. He wants to help Telly ...more

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Jul 18, 2015 Pat Byrnes rated it it was amazing

I will have to get back to this at a later time. I was another Awesome novel

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Jul 18, 2015 Chris Meads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult, humor, suspense, paranormal, romance

Telly has a yearning to play poker but isn't all that great at it. He has lost his job and is living on what his girlfriend brings home. But that will all change when the ghost of Clutch Henderson gets a hold of him.

He takes Telly and helps him play the game and Telly wins a lot of money. He goes home to Gretchen and tells her what happened. She doesn't believe him and wants no part of the "soiled" money. He doesn't want to lose her so he tries to quit Clutch. Telly starts driving cab and once a ...more

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