Molly's Game Uncensored: The Truth Behind the World's Most Infamous Poker Game

Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Molly Bloom, the entrepreneur and author behind the infamous high-stakes poker games that inspired the book and movie Molly's Game. Molly shares her journey from an Olympic skiing hopeful to running exclusive poker games for A-list celebrities, billionaires, and politicians, and the challenges she faced, including mob threats, legal troubles, and personal redemption.

Notable Quotes

- I wanted everyone to come into this room and from the second they walked in, feel like they were in Monaco or in a James Bond movie. – Molly Bloom, on creating an unforgettable poker experience.

- I will always choose courage over comfort. – Molly Bloom, reflecting on her personal growth and resilience.

- I've never met someone so down on their luck and so full of themselves. – Aaron Sorkin, after hearing Molly's pitch for her movie.

🎲 The Origins of Molly's Game

- Molly started her career as a competitive skier but transitioned to running poker games after a skiing accident ended her athletic career.

- She was introduced to the world of high-stakes poker while working as an assistant in Los Angeles, where she served drinks at a game attended by A-list celebrities, politicians, and business moguls.

- Realizing the potential of the poker world, she decided to create her own games, focusing on building a luxurious, exclusive experience that combined community, storytelling, and escapism.

💰 High-Stakes Poker and the Art of Building Trust

- Molly emphasized the importance of trust and integrity in running her games, even turning down lucrative offers from professional players to maintain the fairness of her games.

- She cultivated relationships by focusing on what she could do for others rather than what they could do for her, building relational capital and trust.

- Molly shared insights into the psychology of high-stakes players, identifying archetypes such as the self-destructive, the highly competitive, and those who simply love the game.

🗽 Moving to New York and Mob Involvement

- After losing control of her LA game due to a power struggle with a famous actor, Molly moved to New York to build an even bigger poker empire.

- The New York game featured a $250,000 buy-in and attracted players with ties to the Russian and Italian mobs.

- Molly recounted harrowing experiences, including being assaulted and threatened by mobsters, which left her terrified and isolated.

⚖️ Legal Troubles and Redemption

- Molly's decision to take a rake from the games led to her arrest by the FBI, asset forfeiture, and eventual conviction.

- Despite being offered a deal to avoid prison in exchange for exposing her high-profile clients, Molly refused, citing her commitment to integrity.

- She avoided jail time but was left millions in debt and had to rebuild her life from scratch, eventually writing a book and pitching her story to Hollywood.

🎤 Lessons in Sales and Resilience

- Molly shared her approach to sales and connection, emphasizing the importance of listening, authenticity, and cultivating trust.

- She highlighted the value of hard empathy, which involves understanding and connecting with people whose views or personalities differ from your own.

- Molly also discussed the importance of embracing uncertainty, letting go of preconceived notions, and adapting to change as key elements of personal and professional growth.