During the course of 30 days in early 2009, Richard Roeper risked more than a quarter million dollars on practically every method of gambling currently available in America. Chronicling his wild ride in a breezy, humorous manner, this entertaining exploration both celebrates and details the many pitfalls and lures through Roeper's stories about his lifelong affair with gambling. With insight and aplomb, the narrative answers the questions What is it like to bet money you don’t have, knowing that if you lose, you’re in serious trouble? What is it like to play in a poker tournament alongside celebrities and world champions? and What are the 10 best gambling movies of all time? This delightful dalliance proves that the true national pastimes aren’t baseball, basketball, or football, but instead fantasy football, March Madness, poker, slots, the lottery, craps, blackjack, church raffles, and bingo.

Richard Roeper is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and the former cohost of Ebert & Roeper. He has contributed to many publications, including Esquire, Maxim, and TV Guide and has made guest appearances on various TV programs, including Nightline, Regis & Kelly, and the Today Show. He is the author of Debunked!, Hollywood Urban Legends, Schlock Value, Sox and the City, and Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character Is Doomed. He lives in Chicago.