Gambling Books

The main theory behind this book is that the sports betting market will create a closing line that is generally more valid than the opening line. Moore's idea is that one could be successful betting on sports by utilizing his "Blindfold Method" in where a bettor picks off rogue numbers off of sportbooks that are slow to move their lines with the common market line. Some of the ideas are not very practical as many books offer the same line

Great information. Very helpful.

Best Gambling Portal http://www.increasedodds.com

The first three quarters of the book offer a highly entertaining and educational overview of sport betting. Moore takes the reader through all of the various types of bets and thoroughly explains how the odds for different sporting events are expressed (e.g. money line, point spread, etc.) He also defines much of the lingo in sports betting and devotes an outstanding chapter to the subject of examining (and debunking) many popular misconceptions.

However, Moore's betting system (the "Blindfold Method"), which he uses the last quarter of the book to unveil, is amusing at best. His theory, which suggests that bettors can exploit "soft lines" between different bookmakers, assumes that significant variations in odds can be found regularly ("one or two games per week"). In practice, this does not occur. Most bookmakers are well aware of the Vegas line for all sporting events and manage their betting imbalances by using "lay-off" operations instead of simply changing their lines (a fact completely ignored in the book). As with all betting systems, it is worthwhile to wonder why the author is writing about them instead of using them to make untold millions. For those that do put their faith in Moore's system, the "Blindfold Method" could not be more aptly named.

I just started playing Poker a week ago and wanted a really simple explantion of the game. This book did the trick. It opened up my eyes to different types of games, styles of play and where to play.

If you are looking for a simple general overview into the world of Poker, this is it.

p.s.
Once you have chosen the type of Poker you want to play, Glazer gives excellent great reads in his Appendix.

First, let me say that I wholeheartedly recommend this book. The fact that it is inexpensive is an immediate bonus but also, Mr. Glazer, has strong writing skills and the pages are very accessible. If you're not in the mood for concentrating you could even scan it, because, as is true with all of the "Idiot's Guide" series, "Poker" has little subgroupings that allow for quick digestion. In this edition, they're little boxes called "the inside straight, table talk" and "perilous play." Each page is full of advice and tips. It's a belly busting value play if you ask me.

As far as particulars are concerned, Glazer exposes us to all of the intricacies of the poker omniculture. There isn't a game, style, or concept that he doesn't devote words to. What I personally found most useful were his discussions about the internet and tournaments. He really does a great job explaining to the reader what exactly goes on in a tournament. It's very hard to know if you're just watching ESPN or the Travel Channel as to what exactly is transpiring behind the scenes. Previously the methodology behind tournament payouts was a mystery to me. His section on player personalities was memorable as well.

This book is more of an overview of poker that I could see being very helpful for novices. It provides in introduction to various games, such as Hold 'Em and Omaha, and presents other general concepts such as bankroll management, playing in casinos vs. playing online, and poker etiquitte. Everything is easy to understand and useful for certain audiences, I just don't know how useful it would be for someone who has been playing the game for a while. It is also light on strategy.

I actually really enjoyed reading this book, it's well written (though it has a few easy-to-spot factual mistakes), and I will no doubt go through and re-read a number of sections over a few times. If anything, this book will help enculturate you as a hold 'em player; the jargon, proper etiquette, common strategies, etc. Even if you're playing no-limit, for the price this is an excellent first book. Once you're firmly hooked on hold 'em, I'd suggest Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play; it's a lot longer, and more expensive, but will definitely do more to improve your game.

I gave this three stars because, for me at least, it fell well below 'Everything'.

I have two shelves full of of holdem poker books including Super System 2, Hellmuth's book, Sklansky's books, TJ Cloutier's and others. Yet, Wenzel's book, believe it or not, may be the best of the bunch.

His writing is so good, that it makes Sklansky seem like a hack. And while many beginners will pick up this book, I think intermediate players (such as myself) will get the most out of it. This is because Wenzel comments on and refutes many things that have been written in some of the other books. What's more, the book is easy to read, yet packed full of useful info.

I also like that he doesn't just go forward step by step, but interjects all kinds of useful info. throughout. Thus chapter one is just as valuable as the final chapter. And again, the range of material that he covers is mind boggling.

If you want a book that "tells it like it is," rather than just giving you a bunch of theory, "The Everything Texas Hold'em Book" is your baby. And because it's an "Everything" book, it will probably be overlooked by most poker players as being too basic, but this is a good thing, as it will give those of us who do read it a significant advantage over them.

I really liked this book and was pleasantly surprised by it. It is not one of those extremely basic beginner type books that does little more than explain the rules of the game and tells you to play tightly. It's quite a bit more advanced than that and I found myself agreeing with most things the author had to say. My only problem with the book and the reason I didn't give it five stars is his treatment of internet poker. He more or less claims it is rigged and is strongly against it. He also makes silly claims like it is impossible to play more than one table at a time well etc. Obviously he is more of a live game type of guy and that is fair enough but he is wrong about internet poker. The hundreds of internet millionaires are proof of that. I myself have made a substantial amount of money playing internet poker.

That gripe aside, this is a very good book and well worth a read.

Gar Anthony Haywood, author of the superb P.I. Aaron Gunner series, used the pen name Ray Shannon to write FIRECRACKER. This story centers on Raygene Price, a superstar playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Contract negotiations are coming up, and Raygene has to keep his nose clean or else the NFL will exhile him. Reece Germaine is pregnant with his child and seeks support payments. Raygene balks. But Reece has a betting slip for the Super Bowl and a shot to win 1.25 million dollars in a payout if her team wins. Shannon moves around a large cast of complex characters (including Raygene's God-fearing body guard), and the boisterous climax in Las Vegas over the Super Bowl weekend is probably spot on. Well-written, deftly executed, and convincing dialogue, FIRECRACKER favorably compares to NORTH DALLAS FORTY and SEMI TOUGH.

See storyline above.

Shannon's latest is a no nonsense fast-paced story sure to attract more fans. You get twists and turns as well as a fun ride through Vegas. A highly enjoyable novel.
I have to question the authors knowledge about football in reference to one glaring mistake towards the end. Lets see who's keen enough to catch it.

Highly recommended.

Entertainment public relations specialist Reece Germaine and professional football star Raygene Price shared a tight wild weekend in Vegas. Raygene, a Dallas Cowboy player, bets $25,000 on the Arizona Cardinals winning the Superbowl at 50-1 odds. He gives the ticket to Reece as a seduction sweetener and because as a player he is not allowed to bet on the games.

Now eight months later Reece is pregnant from that tryst and Raygene refuses any involvement including child support as this situation is not new to him. Besides his finances are a disaster, he has impregnated other women. However the improbable is that the longshot Cardinals are playing in the Superbowl on Sunday so that if they win, Reece will forget child support and run with the 1.25 million. Others vicious people want a piece of Raygene?s hide and that wager would make a fine down payment.

FIRECRACKER is quite exciting while showing the darker side of American professional sports. Paraphrasing LBJ, the irresponsible and unlikable Raygene seems like he played football without a helmet and the prime thug acts like his brain tripped and never recovered. The wild Superbowl weekend is vividly described and Reece is a solid heroine whose efforts to keep safe (ask the drunk she knocks out with a punch) and retain the ticket is fun to follow, but Raygene, not her, is the center anchoring the story line and he fails to stop the sacking of the plot.

Harriet Klausner

this book was great it helped me so much and taught me how to play a bunch of games im taking it to vegas with me nexttime i go

The book is so basic that you can not really learn that much.
They teach the game rules but not more than that. It really lacks strategies.
So, if you already know how to play but you want to improve your skills, this is not the right book

Things are complicated enough. Keep it simple and you'll always seem to win. There is no time to think at the tables. We all want to win big money. Simplicity is the way. This is a great book !

I love to gamble and this book has been great for learning new games I would never, ever have had the guts to try. Sitting at slots all day just doesn't cut it anymore, plus it is way, way too expensive (that's why casinos love slots!). This book has pictures of actual table games along with clear descriptions of how to play, the best bets to make, the bets to avoid, and table etiquette. So, after reading a chapter about a particular game that looks fun to you, you can actually sit down at a table (pick a quiet one at first) and make some smart, easy bets. No more worrying about looking like a fool. If anything, you will be the one wondering how other people can be placing those stupid bets that have the highest edge for the casino instead of the player. This book makes it very clear which bets are good for you and which for the casino. This doesn't mean you will always win (there would be no casinos if this was the case), but you will be betting to improve your chances of winning instead of betting in ways to ensure you lose your money pronto. Plus, it has excellent advice on "bankroll" management, about how to make your money last and what not to do, like use your charge card to get more cash. Money management is just as important as learning the right bets, especially if you really like to gamble.

I have learned enough new games (craps, black jack, pai gow poker) so that there is always something to play depending on my mood (craps if I feel super-social, black jack if I want to intently focus, and pai gow to be a little more artsy). I plan on learning some more. I still like slots, but I am no longer limited. Tables just don't scare me anymore. Thank you so much KISS Guide!

While I cannot point to any specific guarantees in this book, I still felt disappointed that I used various strategies they suggest and lost in Las Vegas. Thank goodness I followed at least one of their suggestions and set a gambling budget.

I managed to lose every nickel of it.

I guess if there was value in the book, I did not look like a total idiot playing table games in a casino.

Even though I'm not old enought to go to a casino, I probably know more about gambling than most people. This book is great because it introduces you to games you didn't know how to play, the odds of all the games, and lots of different strategies. There are over 120 bets on the craps table! Also it gives you insight to gambling in other countries and real advice from the author's personal experience. The author also provides you with lots of trivia you can amaze your friends with. Such as the most bingo cards played at one time was 346 when there were 30 second intervals between the calling of each number. If you want to learn a little about all the games, this book is for you, if you are an expert, you would still love the trivia! This is a must buy for everyone.

I've always been interested in what it would be like to be a millionaire. Well now I know. Lottery winners aren't always REAL winners, some are wieners. But it is the writing of Gudgeon and Stewart that really made this book an enjoyable read for anyone. Few writers (think Dave Barry) possess the combination of razor wit and warm humour like Gudgeon and Stewart. This book is like a lottery ticket - you can't win if you don't have it.

A fast, funny read that told me everything I wanted to know about lotteries, their winners and losers - and then some. Part history, part comedy, this book was always entertaining and engaging. A great gift for anyone who plays the lottery or who just enjoys a good, easy read.

For those of us who long to win the lottery and to prove wrong those who say money can't bring happiness, The Luck of the Draw will disappoint.

I waited a long time for this book to arrive at my local bookstore, almost as long as I've been waiting to hit a lottery jackpot. (That still hasn't happened.) I was disappointed when I finally sat down to read it. The authors jump from story to story within paragraphs, many starting with "So-and-so of Middle of Nowhere, Kansas, found out that what glitters isn't always gold." Rarely do they go in-depth into what it is really like to win a lottery. They interviewed many winners, it seems, but haven't been told much beyond the moment the winners discover they've won the jackpot and pick up their tickets. Most of the people who win lotteries do the same thing with their earnings: buy a new car, a new house, settle debts, go on a trip. Then they disappear from sight. Who cares! Buy lottery tickets instead of this book -- you'll be happier even if none of the tickets is a winner.

This book is written as a school text book, probably targetting high school through sophomore level college students. There are some interesting pieces of the book about the history of games and analysis of games like backgammon and poker. Other games such as bridge and state lotteries are discussed. The treatment of game theory was new to me, but a lot of the content of this book is basic probability & statistics.

This is one of the most entertaining books on the subject of game theory! Highly recommended. Of course, you may not win all the time in any gambling games but if after studying it, you will have a sense of how it works! THat is it!

When I was teaching full-time in the `80s, the math topic that students found most interesting was the analysis of gambling. One student in particular had written a program that analyzed the past history of racing greyhounds in an attempt to increase his odds of winning at the dog track. The students were also the most attentive in class when I was working through an analysis of either casino games or the state run lotteries. We held several discussions on various ways to "beat" the games that were suggested by the students or explained in class. I received and answered many questions about the odds of winning in many scenarios, sometimes to the disappointment and disbelief of the person asking the question. From now on, I will direct students with such questions to this book if they find my answers unsatisfactory.
It is a brief, yet thorough analysis of the mathematical foundations of some basic board and casino games. Problems for further testing and study are given at the end of most sections, so it is possible to use it as a textbook in short courses in basic probability theory. The level of difficulty is consistent with that of a beginning course, and the only mathematical prerequisites are the most basic of algebraic operations.
Gambling is an activity that will continue to be a part of the human experience as long as humans have their present form. To many, it is an activity of addiction, to others one of recreation and to mathematicians it can be both. I fall in the latter category, as I often point out to people how their opinions about the possibility of success are exactly what the gambling companies want them to be. This book is an excellent description of how the games work and how billions are made by being on the right side of slightly favorable odds.

I'm a big fan of this author, but this book just didn't cut it for me. There is nothing in the material about the book that indicates it is written for the youth market, but it certainly seems as though that is the case. A rather simple story, quite briefly, but not badly told. It warns about addiction, which I belive the author has had to deal with in his life. In any event, I was disappointed. You will have to make your own judgment.

I found No Limit to be disturbingly real. Hautman does a great job of showing a how a young man changes from earning money by mowing lawns to professional gambling.

"This the part where you maybe think I'm going to tell you that I lost all my money. It could have happened that way. Sometimes I wish it had." That quote haunted me throughout my reading of the book. I could not put it down. I cheered when Doyle lost. I grieved when he won.

A mature reader will recognize what gambling cost Doyle, an immature reader will not.

The characters are realistic, the effort to alert Doyle to the consequences of his actions are superbly done. I felt I knew Doyle. I have live near gambling establishments of one sort or another most of my life and have seen first hand what can happen.

This was a real story. I am looking forward to the sequel. Thanks Pete for a great book!

This book is about your average sixteen-year-old, who owns his own landscaping business, and isn't quite sure he wants to return to school for twelfth grade. His name is Dennis Doyle. When some buddies of his want to play poker, he half-heartedly says yes. Then, something really, really bad happens; he wins. After that, Dennis is hooked on this game, full of luck and strategy. Winning game after game after game, Dennis seems to have it all. But there are some surprises around the corner that even Dennis, with all his money, may not be able to face.

This book uses CBT to treat gambling problems and presents it in a logical order. Like many addiction treatment books, it is part education and part trigger recognition. What is different about gambling treatment, is that the book deals with erroneous thoughts many gamblers have about their gambling. This book is easy to use for the gambling treatment professional, and by one of the top gambling treatment guys in the field.

Therapist Guide combined with Workbook from UOP Treatments That Work series is a terrific combination for an effective treatment approach.

This book relies entirely on a companion workbook that was not mentioned in the advertisement for this book. Of course, the workbook needs to go to the gambler, who may have no money to purchase it. I feel ripped off.