The money player;: The confessions of America's greatest table tennis champion and hustler

When he published his autobiography, The Money Player: The confessions of America's greatest table tennis champion and hustler, Marty had an exhibition at Macy's department store in the 70's to launch his book. My father Alan and I were very friendly with Marty at that time, being regulars at his club on 96th Street in Manhattan (I took my very first lesson from Marty, and I eventually went on to become National Disabled Champion and to compete in the Paralympics in Seoul and Barcelona). In fact, he let us read the manuscript prior to publication and gave us an autographed copy upon its publication. Anyway, at Macy's he took on all comers -- spotting them points -- and would give a free book to anyone who could beat him in a game (he only gave away one). I remember that he and I played an abbreviated game to 15, which he *won* by only two points (I don't recall now how many points he spotted me...probably 8--or 13!...but somehow, he always seemed to win by only 2 points), and finished me off with a drop shot that usually bounced back to his side of the table! My father, who competed late in the exhibition, was up by a point when Marty used his infamous drop shot. Having seen it all afternoon, my father was prepared and ran to the side of the table, smashed the ball with all of his might, and ended up standing next to Marty on his side of the table....having won the point and the game. I won't say that Marty was upset exactly, but one could tell he wasn't very pleased. And so, you now know why I have two copies of The Money Player -- a really fascinating read from a true original!

I started playing table tennis in 1976, and had heard about Marty's book. I convinced my hometown college (Bloomsburg State College) to add the book to their library. I've only read it once, and it was a long time ago, but it was very interesting reading! Marty was, and still is, quite a character, and tells his story very well. I happened to meet him a few years later at a U.S. Closed tournament at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas about 1979. He did his breaking of a cigarette trick for the local TV station, and I managed to get him to autograph the broken cigarette and still have it today. I highly recommend this book to any avid table tennis player!