Billy Phelans's Greatest Game is the second in William Kennedy's
brilliant cycle of novels known as the Albany Trilogy. Billy Phelan, a
slightly tarnished poker player, pool hustler, and small-time bookie,
moves through the lurid nighttime glare of a tough Depression-era town.
A resourceful man full of Irish pluck, Billy works the fringes of Albany
sporting life with his own particular style and private code of honor
until he finds himself in the dangerous position of potential go-between
in the kidnapping of a political boss's son.