Casinos Books

Very clear and easy to understand. Covers odds and house advantage of various casino games. If you want to understand the math and odds the book gives good examples that are clear. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand this book. Got a copy for my retired uncle and he loves it for his casino trips. Clearly explains the house has an advantage, but teaches you how to minimize that so your money and free drinks last longer.

This book will explain to you, in no uncertain terms, exactly why you can't win at most games. However, it will give you tips on how to win more often. And, it will show you a few games where you actually have a chance to beat the house.

for anyone that spends any time or money gambling, you really ought to read this book.

...but, if you do make a trip to Vegas and lose, you'll know you did your very best and not be filled with complete regret about placing sucker and egotistical bets and getting taken in by the atmosphere in general. The author talks in detail about the emotional roller-coaster that is casino gambling, and this book will help you smooth out those bumps in the roller coaster.

Brisman is also very clear that no matter how skilled your decisions, the odds WILL remain in favor of the house at all times.

I'm not a particularly serious gambler - I go to casinos maybe 2-3 times a year. I bought this book several years ago before my first trip to vegas and read it on the plane on my way out (and have gone back and consulted it countless times since), and I'm very happy with it.

The book contains a few introductory chapters followed by 12 chapters devoted to common casino games (followed by a few misc. chapters at the end). It's very straightforward and takes a no-nonsense approach, backed by statistics/probability, to disect each game. For each casino game, the book tells you what the odds are if you play 'by the book', and describes various strategies for playing. In my opinion, this book (or a similar work) is a MUST if you are a beginning gambler and will probably be very useful if you are an intermediate level gambler. It's easy to understand, but at the same time it isn't dumbed down, so should remain a useful reference for all but the most serious/knowledgable gamblers.

I purchased this book primarily to learn blackjack, and specifically to learn basic strategy. The Blackjack chapter is very well laid out and should allow a beginner to learn basic strategy in a fairly short period of time, as it did in my case. If you play blackjack (or plan to play) and don't know basic strategy (or worse - don't know what basic strategy is!) then this book is an absolute must. I feel like I got my money's worth out of the blackjack chapter alone, with the rest of the book a very much appreciated added bonus.

The book has 16 chapters, 2 of which are introductory, and 13 are dedicated to the games themselves. If you've ever visited a casino, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed by flashing lights and sounds of coins falling everywhere, and then perhaps make an errant decision about playing a slot game or joining a roulette table.

This book does a good job on teaching the fundamentals and rules of each game, and it goes further to tell you why the game is profitable for the casino and how fast you should expect to lose money on it. Since the only game that might possibly be played to the player's advantage is blackjack, Chapter 3, which deals with blackjack, is one of the largest in the book. The author also discusses popular "winning" systems and with mathematical detail displays their faults.

It's an excellent guide to all the games and casino business in general. However, the book serves a dual purpose - after I learned about the odds and the house edge in each game, it's unlikely I will ever gamble at a casino again.

I just finished reading this book and highly recommend it.

This book pretty much focuses on the era when Tony Spilotro "King of the Strip" ran the strip with his alleged criminal activities and ties to the mob.

There is also a lot of information on Frank Cullotta and his subsequent role as informant.
The secondary focus of the book is the term of Sheriff John McCarthy and his team and their war on organized crime.

I found this book to be very detailed and informative, containing interviews with those, who, either lived or worked on the strip during the relevant period.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this factual, well-written book.

What a great read. Couldn't put the book down. If you read this book then you HAVE TO buy Culotta. "The Battle for Las Vegas" cuts right to the bone how Vegas used to be before all of the fake glitter it is today. A best buy book!!

This book is a good read. It's worth the time for any fans of the true crime genre, or the city of Las Vegas.

If you love all those movies dedicated to Vegas, you will love this book too!! If you have ever visited the city and enjoyed the excitement it brings, you will enjoy reading the history behind how it became what it is today!!

Billy Wannyn

This is the book that explains in wonderful detail, how the Mob came to control Las Vegas and what they did to lose it so quickly.

it also tells the tale of the Law Enforcement coming of age at the same time. Its growth problems and going from a small town to being a big city and dealing with the big city problems it had caused.

No real telling of Las vegas history would ever be complete without this book.

Denny writes in a unique style that grabs your attention and tells you what it was like. Not boring, yet filled with details and stories from the FBI, Metro and the Mob.

Cannot believe the twists and turns. Good read. Don't let this book get by you!

This book is exciting, suspenseful, and full of action...everything I love!

Couldn't put it down for a second. A great book to take on vaction. Easy to follow - Characters are full of life.

Get this book TODAY!

I like to read books that satisfy me...something that keeps me reading...that satisfies my free time. Breach of Contract did it! I love the life of the rich, the twists of love, the deceit of friends, and the risk of business. Will there be a sequel??? GREAT BOOK...

I love the Las Vegas casinos. Any book that has to do with night life, I'll read. It's a wonderful book. Easy reading to go along with it. No vulgar language. It's ultimately a "train" read or "beach" read. Sorry I finished it. T.

I like to read books that have a lot of action. Breach of Contract is not something I would normally buy/read. But my wife MADE me read this book because she personally knows the author...haha! I'm glad I read it because it did have a lot of action like murder, suspense, and business dealings. I would definitely recommend this book to any gender because it doesn't have just one type of theme. You go, Denise!!!

The book is very well written, and easy to read. I enjoyed the Craps and the Baccarat section. It explains the house advantage of various games including Blackjack and some of the poker games to name a few. It includes most if not all Vegas games.

As a casino dealer in Atlantic City I see people play stupid all the time. For the most part it is not because they are not intelligent, but they do not know how to play the games so the house has the lowest advantage over them. Siblerstang does an excellent job explaining how to play with the lowest house edge, but at the same time the book is a little outdated. It was only written in 1997, but in the craps section he talks about Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas as the only place to offer 10X odds in craps. Last time I checked 100X odds is not too hard to find in Vegas, and 5X odds is not to hard to find in Atlantic City. Even with that said the book is more than worth the money. The next time you gamble and stick with what the author says to do and you find yourself ahead more often than behind you will be happy you bought the book. (And remember that gambling is a negative expectation game: You will lose in the long run! Do not gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose!)

I read Edwin Silberstang's book a long time ago and I am pleased that his analyses and ideas are still around. This man knows the math of the games and he also recommends usually good ways to play. He understands the gamblers too and knows that most of them are looking for "action" which is really just "more losses."

Any gambling library should have this book.

Author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

I live in New Mexico where you can't find a table with less than 5x odds on craps at the Indian Casinos. After years of marginal returns, my play is now much cleaner and profitable using Silberstang's techniques (play the line & Come, w/max odds). The dealers love when we arrive at the table. I play on the line for the dealers with 5x odds, along with my bets. (The energy is unmatched when there are at least 4 others at the table hoping you hit your point!). I've run into craps dealers and they confirm off the record that the propositional bets are pure profit "CHUMP" bets for the house.
My husband is a PhD mathematician and agrees with the statitics and odds stated in this well written book.

I purchased this book while attending a wedding in Las Vegas. I saw it in the hotel gift shop and did the touristy thing-- I bought a book about gambling in Las Vegas. I'm glad I did.

Silberstang has written an easy to follow primer on the most common gambling games that you will find in a casino. His book covers the classic table games-blackjack, craps, roulette (both American and European versions), baccarat, and keno. He also explores recent casino additions-Caribbean Poker, Let It Ride, and video poker. Slot machines, casino operation, and credit are even discussed.

Unlike some of the drivel I have read about gambling, Silberstang dispels some of the myths associated with gambling "systems." He clearly explains the games with examples, and gives the odds and demonstrates which bets favor the house (and by how much).

This was an interesting and enlightening read.

What Northrup has to say is as interesting as the way he says it. I really loved his style of writing: chatty, wry, ironic, funny, serious--often at the same time.

I am so happy that he won the 1999 native american journalism award for his editorials, which appear in indian country today , news from inidan country and the circle. this book is wonderful and very funny! the poem he writes about John Wayne visitng Vietnam is a masterpiece and shows " the Duke" for what he really is a wimp and a wuz! get this book it's truly a gem!

This book is brutal without being harsh, funny without being lightweight. In a society where everyone (and I do mean everyone) is made to feel guilty for everone else's suffering, this is a breath of fresh air. The problems Northrup faces every day are aired alongside with the joys. For every pain, he offers a happiness.

And he never says you can't understand. He just offers another way to see his life.

Don't buy Ian Frazier's book if you want any kind of accurate picture of today's Indians. Buy this one instead - this is the book to get if you want to begin to understand the complexities of being an Indian. The author speaks to both the initiated and the ignorant. It's both a moving and a fun read.

I picked this book up at random while browsing the "Native American studies" shelf at my local book megastore, and I was quickly drawn in, reading it cover-to-cover in a day. Jim Northrop is an Anishinaabe who lives on the Fond du Lac Reservation in Northern Minnesota, and in this book he writes about reservation life, about Native American political issues, and about his own travels and experiences. One of the great strengths of this book is his honesty as a memoirist. While sticking largely to a humorous matter-of-fact tone, he does not shy away from his grief at his son's suicide attempt or his difficulties returning from war in Vietnam. Another strength is the conversational quality of the writing itself. At first it bugged me, short sentences put together into these meandering run-on paragraphs, but after some reading I began to think more of Italian vocal technique, where the tone continues, rising and falling, with words just dotted on the surface. Eventually it felt like I was just hanging out with the guy, listening to his interesting stories. There are times when the writing falls down, for example during an extended series of sports metaphors during a dicussion of racism, or in the rather forced series of kangaroo references when describing a tribal "kangaroo court". But despite these problems I found the writing compelling and accessible. I'm not qualified to analyze the political arguments he sometimes makes, but his perspective on treaty rights, sports mascots, and gambling will certainly stay with me, informing and broadening my thinking when I next encounter these issues in daily life.

Barstow was one of the best. His is one of the few gaming strategy books that takes a serious look at betting progressions, regressions, parlays and hedge moves. His common sense approach pre-dates the work of many currently popular craps authors and appears to be the inspiration behind many of the strategies these other writers are known for.

I constantly refer to this book when comparing systems and the advice in this book has steered me away from "new" super systems that promise to win you millions and stopped me playing some of the old standbys.
It promises consistent wins and delivers on that promise .It also promises you won't win millions and that in itself makes it a rarity an honest book on and look at gambling.

For most it won't appeal to the "gamblers blood"or anyone with a short attention span as the progression/regression series require your full focus and attention and would be to much of a grind for most.

VIC

I read this several years ago and still refer to it often. Some of the mathematical conclusions may not be totally accurate, but this does not diminish its worth in the least. For anyone interested gambling, or just numbers, it cannot be beat IMO. Many, many ideas on "increasing your odds", interesting anecdotes, and basic info on casino games. Without a doubt, it is worth far more than the 6 bucks!

This book is a must for anyone looking to win at a casino. I have found it to be the most informative guide to casino gambling I have ever read. Barstow's chapter on wagering has greatly improved my casino experiences.

If you are going to endure a 4 hour flight or car ride to Vegas, this book is for you. It is a well-written, understandable guide to casino games. It does not try to sell you on a system, or on cash management. It does try to educate you on the odds of winning. It gives you the straight scoop about the games with the best odds- craps and blackjack. It also warns you about games with less favorable odds- the "Big Wheel", roulette and others. Go to the casino with a fighting chance- read Barstow's book.(as you drive through Barstow!) so, as the dealers say in Vegas, "Good Luck!"

This is the most valuable book I own on horse racing. James Quinn writes so clear and knows so much about the sport. This books tells you all the different types of races and what horse is most qualified to win those races. It has helped me out so much. I don't bet, but I enter contest online and you have to be prepared for every type of race when you enter them. An excellent read for everyone.

I've read several books on handicapping and wagering on racing. Some have been very good and very helpful.
None were as helpful as this.
As a casual handicapper, you learn to look at speed figures and try to guess who's fastest. But the fastest horse doesn't always win. Class and form are sometimes overlooked.
This book taught me to look at who belongs and who doesn't. And who was meant to win this particular race.
After you read this book, you won't miss as much regarding class and form. This will likely lead you to more live horses at longer odds. Especially when so many others use speed as their primary criteria and create short prices for the horses with the highest Beyers.
And the appendicies are a tremendous tool for day-to-day handicapping. A must-read for any serious handicapper.

This book is awesome, and simply the best as it pertains to condition, class, and form. A must have, will simply improve your handicapping skills by leaps and bounds.

As you can see from the others reviews; all positve, all five stars plus!!!

pretty comprehensive
one of the classics and will teach you all the pertinet aspects of handicapping
i have referred to my copy again and again over the years and this book will never go out of date as it deals with the fundamentals of handicapping
breaks down the races into specific catagories and in each catagory specifies the attritbutes that the top contenders should have.
probably one of the most intelligent books i have read on handicapping horses and i have read plenty over the past 25 years

Quinn takes class evaluation of thoroughbreds to a new level and backs it all up with statistical data to prove which horses are best suited for each race and it's conditions. Quinn explains in exceptional detail how to seperate contenders from pretenders. I don't think you want to throw a true beginner into this, but novices can substantially improve their understanding and win percentages by mining this volume for ideas of what to look for. The Appendix summarizing what kind of horse to look for in each type of race is worth it's weight in gold and is something almost anyone with even limited experience can apply to their handicapping. I can honestly say that I believe my handicapping is going to a new level as I read and re-read this book to absorb the material.

This is the best overall of three books on blackjack I've read so far. You get the feeling this man has a very well-organized mind. He's the first author I've read who adequately explains deviations from basic strategy and the matix tables. He nicely discusses the issue of whether to go with a simpler or more complex counting system. Ironically, he is weakest where other writers are stronger: on betting strategy. Here I think he gets a bit too mathematically precise in his betting tables. Would someone with a $20,000 bankroll really bet in amounts of 83, 133, 182, 267, 338...? (p. 122). Of course not. But I completely agree with Bukovsky when he says, "Don't just read this book. Read everything you can get your hands on....Read and reread..." (219). Sound advice, in my view.

I really enjoyed this quick easy read. I purchased the book to read on the plane (DC - CA). I was amazed to discccover that it was a such a fun and interesting read. I really understand the concepts much better and cant wait to put the easy techniques to work!! I highly recommend the book for beginning or advanced players.

I loved this book. I've been interested in blackjack and the science of card-counting for a long time. Thing is, nobody has really written much about the game. And, upon reading this book, I am secure enough to admit this is the definitive book on the game of blackjack and the tools you need to beat the casino. Not only do you learn about the game but you also come to understand the intricacies of the casino. Mr. Bukofsky explains what to look for in the casino regarding how casino management tend to get the odds in their favor. However, this book puts the odds in the reader's favor. Thanks for the tips.

I'm a successful player already at two games: blackjack and poker. I just finished reading this book last weekend and it's the book I will now recommend to friends and players I meet at the tables who want to learn more about how to make money at this game. I was put on to it by a long time friend who now works on an Illinois riverboat. Between us we've been in the game, on both sides of the table, for more than 50 years, and we both agree this book gets you thinking about things in a way no other books can. It is also one that seems to be popular among serious poker players. Simply put, one of the best blackjack books out there.

If you are a blackjack player this book will help you win. It is worth more than the price. It is endorsed by well-known experts. Many of the books published about blackjack are manuals. This book is more than just a manual. I highly recommend this book if you would like to win at blackjack consistently.

This is one of the best books I have read on gambling in a long, ling, time! His style of writing is straightforward and clear and concise. He explains the odds on craps, blackjack and slots in a manner I can understand and apply. I especially appreciated his payoff schedules on each of the games and the strategy on the video games.
One of the few books I have bought that were worth the money!

A great switch from the mundane world of gambling books, this author presents his own personal experiences in a humorous yet professional manner. His own expertise is relayed through statistical and easy to understand information. I would highly recommend this book to any casino regular who is still not confident in their game.

I really enjoyed reading James Crowder's book, Casino Gambling for Fun and Profit. It was very informative and helpful to the beginner and the experienced player. I have read a lot of gambling books, but I was especially impressed with the way Dr. Crowder mixed some humor and some of his own experiences into the book. Anyone can write statistics down, but this book captures my attention and makes for enjoyable reading and learning.

This book would be a very insightful tool to any inexperienced gambler as well as professionals with years of experience. It provides strategic tips and documented accounts of the author's personal research relating to Video Poker and Blackjack. Following this author through his analysis of the sport is quite intriguing. He cleverly uses humor to help paint the true casino atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book, and have monetary proof he knows what he writes.

Casino Gambling for Fun and Profit is extremely informative on the subjects of blackjack and video poker. The amusing stories from the author's past experience holds the readers' attention as well as reinforces the technical explanations. As a novice gambler this book gave me the confidence to play other casino games besides slots and actually walk away a winner.

Well done, Frederick Schofield! I really liked this story. It's been a while since I read a book that didn't require constant thought. I turned pages for the sheer pleasure. A thriller without disappointments raced through a gripping ending.

This book has everything you need to bring major havoc into your game. And if it's intrigue you want this one has plenty to offer. Go into a dark boardroom with the likes of Donald Trump, where Frederick Schofield adds new meaning to stacking the deck. Actually, I first spotted this book on sale at one of Trump's casinos, which I later found amusing when I discovered an entertainingly evil character in Megasino who looks so much like him. A wide assortment of faces, nifty plot, and plain fun here. A must read.

This casino marketing exec has worked in Vegas and AC. Thought I'd seen it all inside the game houses until I read Schofield's Megasino. I recognized some of the faces and was introduced to new ones, but the Donald Trump character was right on the mark. So was his exwife. Also liked the Steve Wynn double as a hero and I'd heard stories about him and Diannah Ross in the old days, so it was fun to see where life might have taken them. This book was special fun for me as an insider and one everyone should like.

Just noticed that Frederick Schofield has some characters that travel between his stories. I liked seeing a favorite face from "The Boardwalkers" mature and walk into "Megasino." It's probably not right to say who. But the question rises. Whom might I meet again in another Schofield book? On to "A Run to Hell."

A web of intrigue weaves an immediately absorbing story with vivid scenes and unrelenting action. Unlike some books I have read that caused me to dose off, Megasino kept my eyes wide all the way through. Schofield uses great detail in composing the characters backgrounds and motivations, giving you a full picture of what's going on. Some characters are slightly veiled versions of the famous and glamorous. Others are the kind nightmares are made of. I recommend this book to anyone who likes interesting, entertaining, and action-packed books. In its genre it is tops.