John Blowers

Life on Tilt: Confessions of a Poker Dad John Blowers

Life on Tilt is a novel about those interests that have equal potential to complete or destroy us. Whether it's another person, a hobby or a faith, each of us has consuming passions that, if left unexplored, would leave us unfulfilled; if explored too thoroughly, though, they could jeopardize everything else we hold dear. It's a delicate balance. Poker is the telescope through which to explore this universal tension, and the game is used throughout the novel as a catalyst for change, conflict and character development. The protagonist, Johnnoe Zandoken, is leading a double life. He is part family man, part poker aficionado. As his marriage withers and his poker prowess grows, this conflict worsens. Will he risk his fragile marriage to pursue his dream of participating in the richest sporting event in history? Will the freshness and allure of the poker world trump his comfortable home life? Will he turn to a flirtatious Russian model for escape? Will he reconcile his unquenchable ambition with his personal and professional commitments? Most importantly, will he decide what really matters before all his options are gone?