Gambling Books

Mr Joubert Olson has really outdone all books that I have ever read. His book graphically displays the game in full graphic form. Excellent book rich in content that is a must for any seasoned player or beginner. I could not put his book down until early hours in the morning. Then anxiously continued reading his book the next day. I go back to his book to review the fine details for finer play when I return to the Casinos. I have gained full comprehension of the game and rate Mr. Olson's book highly. Terry J. Hyatt... Over 30 years in the Gaming industry and former Casno Shift Manager.

You'd never guess from looking at this book that it's one of the all-time classics of craps advice. Hey, if you want to play from a pro, you gott LOIN from a pro! Reading this book is like learning how to play craps from a guy who's been standing at a craps table in downtown Las Vegas for the last fifty years without a break. This book is the foundation of my craps library. Highly recomended.

I bought this book and am glad I did. It gives a VERY thorough
history of the "Wire Act"....which was set up in the 1960s -- by
Robert Kennedy -- a hero of mine -- of all people!

I had thought that the "Wire Act" was set up in the 1930s or 1940s
....so I learnt something by my preliminary perusal of this
book. However, so upset am I that the most recent enlargment of
the Wire Act....which now prohits internet gaming for real money,
to American citizens and residents....that I just can't read
through the entire book. I am too mad, and too sad....the newest
enlargement of the Wire Act was passed so sneakily, too -- tacked
on to another bill -- and many congresspeople voting for one bill
did not even know they were voting for the "anti-internet gaming
bill", tacked onto it.

This book is printed on exellent paper, with a nice large-sized
print. From my prelimary perusal, it appears to be a very thorough
history of how the "Wire Act" came about. I recommend it heartily
to anyone who has the stomach to read this book....through his or
her tears, and/or anger.

For myself, though, it brings to mind a
scene from the film, "Blue Denim", starring Carol Lynly and Brandon
de Wilde. It is an early 1960s film, about two likable, suburban
teens, who find themselves, "in trouble", after one night of
thoughtless, er...."togetherness". With the guy's best friend, they
try desperately to find a solution to their dilemma. In this scene,
Carol Lynly's character is looking through a book. After studying it,
she says, (paraphrased): "They tell you all about how it happens....
but they don't tell you how to stop it."

And so, "Cutting The Wire", also tells you "all about it", (in "Blue Denim, "it" is pregnancy. In "Cutting The Wire", 'it" is
a law which prevents American people from legally gaming online.) But,
sadly, and perphaps, at this point, inevitably, cannot tell us "how to stop it"....and allow Americans the right to game/gamble online, for
real money, legally once again. A practice allowed in the UK, Canada,
Australia, Lithuania, Sweden...and so many other countries, (where --
surprise? -- there has been NO upsurge of mob influence, and NO upsurge
in hedonism) -- is, at this writing, denied to those living in "the Land of the Free....and the Home of the Brave." (For those interested in
trying to change things, I recommend the website: www.pokerplayersalliance.org)

Perhaps I expected too much of this book....I searched and searched for
a way "to end it", (the Wire Act and its extentions)....but couldn't --
or perhaps am too upset and too angry to give the book the thorough
perusal that I should. If -- as my own plan would do -- taxing gaming
winnnings at twice that of other income, allowing losses to be deducted
at only half that of other income, making proficiency tests mandatory,
and allowing play only by 18 year olds and over, and only at interent
casinos based in the US, or in the countries of our allies, (Canada,
England, Turkey, Manilla, etc.).....what would be the harm? Earning
$100 a day is sure a lot easier than earning $36,500 over a weekend at
Las Vegas or Atlantic City. This could lead to more responsible gaming
== people earning a little bit every day -- a habit which could lead to
the shouldering of more responisbility in other aspects of life as well.

I truly wish that "Cutting The Wire" had delved into these matters. But
it is a thorough, well-researched history of "how the (gaming) Dark Ages
came upon us"....but not, sadly, (as I had so hoped for), some suggestions on how to end them.

Perhaps only time, (and our next President, who-ever he or she may be),
will tell.....

One of the best all around books on cheating history, from the times of Steamboat cardsharks, to dice pressers in the (then Modern 1973) Las Vegas world of gambling. Many of the methods depicted are obsolete because slot machines and other games have gone to using a computer chip. Even keno is automated now. but it still talks about the elaborate and intricate gaffs that some conman thought up and implemented. Book has pictures too! Not so much of modern techniques, but very interesting and enlightening.

I loved this book. I read this book over and over again, the binding is absolutly dystroyed. I like how Linda was never afraid to stand up for herself with Lenny, and it made me respect her. Every young girl should read this book, it will show not only the wonderful side of love, but also the hardships of it.

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.

Kip is a gambler. He hangs with kids who gamble and he bets on everything. Kip thinks drug addicts, drinkers, and smokers are losers --- gambling gives him all the buzz he needs. He does not consider himself an addict. Kip knows that addicts don't amount to anything, and he plans on being rich someday.

However, when he discovers big-time gambling with his new girl friend's father King, the famous magician, his whole life changes. The horse track, casinos, and slot machines give him a buzz like he never has known before. Gambling may be taking over his life as he wipes out his mother's bank account and his college fund.

Will Kip wake up in time to recover his losses legally, or will he end up like King? Kip will probably never lose his love of gambling --- will this allow him to follow his dream of becoming a stockbroker? As he says, "The stock market isn't just legal gambling, it powers the whole economy. I get to be rich and be a patriot all at the same time. You gotta love this. Total win-win-win." Read DOUBLE OR NOTHING and find out what happens to Kip --- will he win or will he lose it all?

--- Reviewed by Audrey Marie Danielson

Great book for research paper. Detailed, but in understandable terms. Shows both sides of the issues of gambling and explains why there is so much contraversy. Highly recommended!!!

Given that the author is based in Britain, I thought that this book might deal with cricket, darts and other non-US friendly subjects. Geez though - I couldn't have been more wrong - there's loads of Vegas and the whole Nevada scene plus lots of really useful economic theory. A great buy.

I'm a longtime poker player. This is simply a great book--great stories, and lots of great advice. I've read tons of other ones, by all the great names. This is better written than almost all of them, because after his poker career, the Poker Pigeon went on to have a successful career as a thriller and mystery writer. I guarantee you'll enjoy this book.