7 Jan
Dan Bilzerian is one of poker’s most talked-about—and most controversial—figures. In The Setup, the self-proclaimed “King of Instagram” delivers a raw, no-holds-barred look at what made him who he is.
The book tracks his childhood, his attempt at Navy SEAL selection, and his leap into gambling and poker—before ending with his finding fame and the limits of excess.
The book was written exclusively by Dan Bilzerian, not ghostwritten, as many might have thought. And what a great job he did, too. Entertaining and controversial in equal measure; a real page-turner.
Controversial
For those who aren’t familiar with why Bilzerian creates so much controversy here’s a little bit of background.
The main talking point is his claim to have won his fortune playing in private high-stakes games against mega-rich businessmen. Those who don’t believe that claim are all sticking with the story that every cent came from a trust fund, set up by his dad full, of illicit cash from his days as a corporate raider in the 1980s. Paul Bilzerian spent time in prison for financial crimes and it has been reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission failed to recover most of the funds they went after.
But enough of that, this isn’t a judgement, only setting out the two sides of why Dan Bilzerian is controversial for the most part.
The other half has to be his style of social media posting which many consider flagrant. Of course, much of this, certainly from the male population, comes down to nothing more than jealously. This is a rich guy who is determined to enjoy his life to the full, and he doesn’t mind showing off a little.
The Setup – What’s It All About?
The prose in this autobiography is nothing short of unfiltered – raw, explicit, and unapologetically revealing. Every scandalous, shocking, and sensational detail finds its way onto the page.
While many might assume Dan Bilzerian’s The Setup is an exercise in image control, the reality is far from it. The narrative doesn’t shy away from his darker moments; the highs and lows of his wild, high-rolling lifestyle are presented with equal candor and intensity.
In fact, the book’s notoriety nearly stopped it from reaching readers at all. As reported in headlines last year, printing staff allegedly walked off the job in protest, claiming the manuscript’s graphic and controversial content was too extreme to handle.
An email was sent to Bilzerian’s team, stating:
“Several bindery workers saw the content of the book and have walked out on working that shift for the job. In my years, this is a first but evidently, the content was quite offensive to some.”
Fast cars and guns are known to be two of Bilzerian’s passions, but the detail about orgies and drugs (with photos, of course) makes you realise what is really going on behind the scenes of where all of his Instagram shoots take place.
There is a great deal of soul-baring. Bilzerian has always been open about his struggles in childhood and how later he used to find it difficult to talk to women. We should also respect any man who has the stones to even attempt the Navy Seals training course regardless of whether he passed or not.
Gambling
Dan Bilzerian’s gambling stories are the main reason most poker players will pick up this book. It offers a closer look at how he claims he climbed the ladder, eventually landing in private, ultra-high-stakes games where pots reach into the millions.
If you’ve followed his poker lore, you’ll know the rumoured $100 million heads-up match against billionaire Alec Gores. In The Setup, Bilzerian says Gores is the same opponent he’s beaten for eight figures more than once, and he even includes a photo showing a $10.8 million wire transfer.
Whether the mega-match ever happens is still unknown, but if it does, the poker world will be watching.
Final Thoughts
The Setup is an unapologetically entertaining read. Bilzerian and his team craft a sharp, high-energy look into one of the most extravagant lifestyles imaginable.
Polarizing as he is, much of Bilzerian’s bravado seems like a response to relentless criticism. Still, if you’re curious about the man behind the Instagram persona, this book is bold, brash, and surprisingly revealing.
