Casinos Books

An excellent book that goes in depth(and I do mean IN DEPTH!) into cheating methods used by crossroaders in casinos. For the serious player, this is a good read, as it contains some "legal" methods of advantage play as well. For anyone else, its just a very interesting book. If you enjoy gambling and casino life, you will probably enjoy this book as well.

good book looking at bending and breaking the rules of 21 by altering ones cards and/or money. techniques from the basic to the outrageous. worth a read by any serious player if only to see how others take money off the house.

Don't believe the hype about this book. The cover blurbs would have you believe that Kit Miller, a working-class hero, somehow penetrated the ruthless security of Nevada casinos to tell the stories of those down-trodden by the evil gambling empires. In reality, Kit Miller comes from a wealthy family, and she had little difficulty gaining access to the casinos. To her credit, Miller sets aside her liberal political heritage, and presents her subjects' stories in a highly readable manner, free of ideological slant. Her subjects are no more exploited than any other working persons, and their employers are no more evil than those outside the gaming industry. This is, however, a well-done book, and although Miller's main credit is as the photographer, she is a deft writer. It's just not the book you might expect from reading the ham-handed back-cover blurb.

As a former casino worker I can attest to the veracity of this wonderful book. I also know what a difficult task it had to have been for the photographer to gain access inside the glitter. Casino workers are an increasing portion of the working class in the United States, but are nearly invisible. This book vividly portrays their work and lives, and makes clear that the job is not the totality of a working person's life and with other opportunities in a more just societies these same people might be scientists and professors, writers and film directors, senators and govenors.

If you are a Hegwood fan, come on, read this book. It is a bit slower moving than his other novels, but the usual Hegwood cast of characters is here. This time at a Casino music spectacular. And the insurance companies get stung. And there is some pretty good misdirection. And the untangling of the plot will grab you. And ,yes, you can figure it out - almost- but I will not spoil the fun. Guess what I like about Hegwood is that there are clues to the solution ,and so far he seems to play fair in letting his readers speculate about the conclusion.

Casino employee Johnnie Koscko leaves Vegas with enough of a stake to return home to Biloxi, Mississippi to buy the Jackpot Bay Casino. Johnnie envisions the area becoming part of the European high roller jet set. In fact his first plane load of the Monte Carlo crowd is coming to Biloxi in a few days to gamble at Johnnie's casino and to listen to the rock sound of the very popular Snow Mountain.

However, as usual for Johnny just when he seems paused for success he rolls craps. The casino insurance carrier is concerned over missing revenue. They send private investigator Jack Delmas to force Johnny to hire security auditor Tara Stocklin. Even with Jack and Tara involved, Johnny seems to be holding the "Deadman's Hand" as murder and robbery follow.

Readers who try a Jack Delmas novel will believe they hit the jackpot, as he is a strong character who consistently provides the audience with a quiet intelligent outlook as he tries to do the right thing though not always successful. However, the rest of the key cast members such as Johnny and Tara, etc. come across as worthless sharks with nothing much to redeem them so that they appear more a caricatures than people. Still the exciting story line of JACKPOT BAY is an engaging look behind the scene at the Gulf Coast gambling spots. For those who don't know Jack, he is worth the time to read about even in this novel, but especially in his previous appearances like MASSACRE ISLAND.

Harriet Klausner

I've hosted and participated in home games for 15 years, including a hold 'em game the last two. Our games are a lot of fun with a lot of bravado. Now we're sending a player from our table to a WSOP satellite and, since, I want to be the one, I'm looking for a quick study to improve my hold 'em game.

This book meets that need well. I've thought about giving it to my poker buddies as a gift . . . but that would be pretty stupid, wouldn't it? I'm on the cusp of knowledge, and do plan to read Brunson, Slansky, Cloutier, Caro, etc. For a quick study, though, those books are a little intimidating. Vorhaus does a good job of explaining odds, pot odds and strategic considerations in hold 'em, including playable hands, how to vary your play in various stages of a tournament and how to play against various types of opponents. It's pretty distilled, which is what makes it a good starting point. There are a handfull of succintly stated useful tips that will improve my play. Now if only I can remember them . .
The rest of the book is OK. I suppose if you're just starting out with a home game, there's useful information. The author has some pretty strong biases against crazy games and wild cards; though those are staples of many home games, he chooses to ignore them. And he sums up play in various games nicely with a major piece of advice: FOLD. That's his advice for 7/27 if you don't happen to start quickly with the nut 7. Of course, if you start "playing to win" at some of these home games, it might mark you as an unfun person. He talks about that, too.
If you're looking for a compendium of poker variations, especially the whacky varieties, there are other books that offer much more.
This book serves as a quick start guide for the casual player just ready to step it up to a more serious level.

The book is geared for the home poker game and the goal is to teach you how to cream all your beer-drinking buddies and take their money. The first part of the book is a brief rundown of hand rankings, how to host a game, house rules and then a brief synopsis of the four major games - Draw, Hold 'Em, Omaha and Stud. Then the book goes into strategies for these games with a short section at the end on playing in casinos and going pro.

Overall I thought the book was ok and worth the money. I picked up a good dozen or so tips on strategies for playing. I coupled these tips with what I learned in Peter Arnold's "How To Play Poker" and I guess the tips are working because when I play online I win a lot (with play money of course). I liked the section on odds - no complex mathematical equations on calculating odds or memorizing tables of probabilities. Just a simple explanation on how to calculate card odds and then pot odds.

I would recommend the book to anyone who buys it. For $14 you can't go wrong. Plus it's funny too - I caught myself laughing out loud a few times at the humor Vorhaus put in the text.

Requital is the story of an American woman named Jenny who, as an airline stewardess in 1959, decides to take her first vacation someplace tropical - starting with Cuba. She and her co-worker Phyllis are pretty young and naïve and are unaware that Fidel Castro is consolidating his power in Cuba by nationalizing all the foreign businesses and that the reception that awaits foreign tourists has turned chilly. They discover that the hotel in which they were supposed to be staying is now Castro's headquarters. But they meet an American businessman who takes them under his wing and carries them off to one of the few foreign-owned businesses still operating - the casino he manages on behalf of the mafia.

At the casino, Jenny and the floor manager, a suave, older Cuban man named Jack, see each other and fall instantly in love. In the middle of political turmoil, they have a few whirlwind days together. Jenny learns that Jack is trying desperately to get out of Cuba and Jenny is drawn in and tries to help him. They plan a life together before Jenny returns to the U.S. to await Jack's arrival. But word reaches her that Jack was caught and killed on the day he was supposed to leave. Jenny tries desperately to confirm this and get details, but her contacts in Cuba are cut off. Thirty-two years later she gets a phone call...

The label on the cover of Requital says "romantic thriller" and I must admit that I read it with some trepidation because I don't care much for romances. And I did roll my eyes once or twice in the beginning. However, I was curious to see where the author would take the story. From the beginning of the book, it is obvious that some sacrifices are going to have to be made and you read this book wondering when and on whom the sword will fall. This book really has a classic tragedy story structure and that and the political backdrop of the story sucked me in.

Favorite character? Jack, the latin lover. Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read another? Maybe - this is more of a romance than I usually like, but for those of you who lean in that direction, this is an engrossing read.

Here's a book that really makes you wonder about an old love returning after many years. If that's been your fantasy, read Requital. This is a great look, too, at that transitional time for Cuba - between the dictator Batista and the fresh upstart, Fidel Castro. Castro sounded so good in the beginning, but turned quickly, and caught a lot of Americans and non-believers in his wake. There's plenty of action to keep things moving between the Fidel and the Mafia, and Jack's experience will make you want revenge, too. Most of all, it's the characters that make Requital unforgettable. Maybe we all didn't find our first love the way Jennifer did, but we all wish we had! The true test of a good read is not wanting it to end. I wanted this one to go on and on.

Major Hugh North is in Brazil investigating the activities of the Americus Arms Corporation, which employs several Fascist and Nazi sympathizers. After he moves his investigation from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, North learns of an unidentified ship which is headed to some unknown Brazilian port carrying Axis saboteurs, technicians and gold to help fifth columnists in their activities in gaining a foothold in Brazil and surrounding countries. North's mission is to find out the identity and destination of the ship and prevent its reaching any port in Brazil. He receives much help from Aurora Morrow, niece of a shipping magnate. The most interesting character in the novel, however, may be Paula Harte, who was born in Chile but whose father was a German subject who died during World War I. Paula is now acting as a freelance agent trying to sell information to the highest bidder.

Major Hugh North is in Brazil investigating the activities of the Americus Arms Corporation which employs several Fascist and Nazi sympathizers. After he moves his investigation from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, North learns of an unidentified ship which is headed to some unknown Brazilian port carrying Axis saboteurs, technicians and gold to help the fifth columnists in their activities in gaining a foothold in Brazil and surrounding countries. North's mission is to find out the identity and destination of the ship and prevent its reaching any port in Brazil. The events described in the story occur before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 but after the fall of France and Holland to the Nazis.

Using friends and contacts in Rio, North arranges a party to which are invited leading members of the local Patriotistas movement. All are suspected of being supporters of the Axis cause and most are either of Spanish, German, Italian or Japanese ancestry. At the party Luis da Evarista, President of Americas Corporation, is murdered. North decides that the solution of the murder may lead to the information he needs to stop the unidentified ship from reaching Brazil.

North receives much help from Aurora Morrow, niece of a shipping company owner. The most interesting character in the novel, however, may be Paula Harte who was born in Chile but whose father was a German subject who died during World War I. Paula is now acting as a free-lance agent trying to sell information to the highest bidder.

Major North's decoding skills play a big role in his success as a spy. He is capable not only of deciphering messages intercepted from his adversaries but also of sending to them false and misleading information.

When the local medical authorities are unable to determine the cause of the death of Luis da Evarista, Major North identifies the poison used and shows that it was administered through the cigar smoked by the deceased.

Bob Dancer, a successful video poker and card poker player in his own right, has authored a series of books dealing with easy to follow video poker player technique. Unlike the original books listed (1996), Dancer has completely revised (2003 & 2004) and added new information as part of a SIX-VOLUME set to cover roughly 32 video poker variations found at most Nevada Casinos. The books are broken up into four skill levels: Novice or Beginner, and higher skill strategy for educated players that are looking for more challenge and higher payoffs.
The best part is the text is easy to read and comprehend. I keep a copy in the bathroom for reference, and after studying the book that covered my favorite game (Deuces Wild), I took the plunge and played $5 into $150 the first time out. Instead of just sitting there plugging in coins, I found that I can actually enjoy the play and constantly people sitting next to me sit there wondering why I am getting paid and they are not.
Another feature that Mr Dancer emphasizes is the avid use and memebership in slot clubs, as many of these will allow you to enjoy many perks and comps that used to exist across the board to all casino players; comps such as meal, play money credits, merchandise, gifts of all sorts, jackpot multipliers, show tickets, hotel rooms on the house, and various other come-ons that can be very interesting and elusive to other players.
Besides the books on Video poker, Bob Dancer also publishes other books about his experiences as a professional gambler, and software that you can purchase and load on your computer that will coach you as you learn valid methods to improve your game.
Mr. Dancer is also easily approachable and exhuberant. If you are in Las Vegas, the author gives classes in local casinos once a week at no charge other than your own bankroll in a machine. You would think casino hosts would cringe at a player that is sharing secrets, but to the contrary, they are happy that some player, Mr Dancer in this case, has figured out the programs, payback schedules, and other quirks that make gambling fun instead of a stress point that other experience when they lose out of ignorance.
I like the Deuces Wild because it is one of the beatable forms of video poker, and actually has paid me far more than what I put into it, following Bob Dancer's advice.
If you play video poker, in its varied forms, you cannot afford not to read and learn Dancer's strategies.

John Marchel's, 101 Casino Gambling Tips: Affordable Strategies and Techniques for Maximizing Profits and Minimizing Losses is a great book for those who wish to go into a casino and walk away with the same amount of money in their pockets. The tips in this book are not for anyone that actually wants tips on how to beat the odds it is tips for those who want to steer clear of the high stakes and big losses. It is a great book for those who wish to spend hours at the casinos without loosing their shirts, but big gamers should look for something else.

Bob Dancer, a successful video poker and card poker player in his own right, has authored a series of books dealing with easy to follow video poker player technique. Unlike the original books listed (1996), Dancer has completely revised (2003 & 2004) and added new information as part of a SIX-VOLUME set to cover roughly 32 video poker variations found at most Nevada Casinos. The books are broken up into four skill levels: Novice or Beginner, and higher skill strategy for educated players that are looking for more challenge and higher payoffs.
The best part is the text is easy to read and comprehend. I keep a copy in the bathroom for reference, and after studying the book that covered my favorite game (Deuces Wild), I took the plunge and played $5 into $150 the first time out. Instead of just sitting there plugging in coins, I found that I can actually enjoy the play and constantly people sitting next to me sit there wondering why I am getting paid and they are not.
Another feature that Mr Dancer emphasizes is the avid use and memebership in slot clubs, as many of these will allow you to enjoy many perks and comps that used to exist across the board to all casino players; comps such as meal, play money credits, merchandise, gifts of all sorts, jackpot multipliers, show tickets, hotel rooms on the house, and various other come-ons that can be very interesting and elusive to other players.
Besides the books on Video poker, Bob Dancer also publishes other books about his experiences as a professional gambler, and software that you can purchase and load on your computer that will coach you as you learn valid methods to improve your game.
Mr. Dancer is also easily approachable and exhuberant. If you are in Las Vegas, the author gives classes in local casinos once a week at no charge other than your own bankroll in a machine. You would think casino hosts would cringe at a player that is sharing secrets, but to the contrary, they are happy that some player, Mr Dancer in this case, has figured out the programs, payback schedules, and other quirks that make gambling fun instead of a stress point that other experience when they lose out of ignorance.
I like the Deuces Wild because it is one of the beatable forms of video poker, and actually has paid me far more than what I put into it, following Bob Dancer's advice.
If you play video poker, in its varied forms, you cannot afford not to read and learn Dancer's strategies.

Wow! A time saving reference which contains charts of 1,000 actual casino delt shoes (not computer generated, with more than 80,000 decisions. This is definately a helpful tool for the advanced Baccarat player. The ties, player and bank are easy to read. Gives authentic Las Vegas casino patterns. Offers good advice and tactics to test wager validity with a small bankroll.