DiscreteMaths2
Posted by DiscreteMaths2
Apr 28, 2017

3 More Gambling Books Reviewed

Online Poker by Doyle Brunson

This book is really geared towards one specific reader: someone who is an old school / face to face player only and wants to be sold on the idea of online poker. The book outlines some of the basic differences between online and real life play as well as some helpful tips in changing up your game. This book however is not a strategy book and doesn't provide much outside some tidbits. If you are a fan of Doyle it is worth reading although it does feel kinda cheap with it coinciding with the promotion of doyle's room online poker site. The well read poker player is probably wondering how this book compares to super system 1 & 2. I have not read them (yet) but I am willing to bet they really aren't comparable in terms of useful advice so you can safely skip this book.

Cowboy's Full The Story of Poker by James McManus

This book is interesting in that it ties the story of poker into world and US history as well connects the game to well known places, time periods, and people. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in gambling or poker or even to a general history buff. I like that is broken up into small chapters so you can skip ahead if you find an individual story not that appealing. I didn't like however the excessive name dropping in some sections, poor narration of some poker hands, and the fact that the author's opinion leaked into some unnecessary commentary at some points. Overall it was a surprisingly good read and certainly wasn't a stuffy drawn out history of the usual poker suspects.

The Book on Games of Chance by Girolamo Cardano

This is a cool historical piece but I do not recommend picking it up for a casual read. Turns out Latin from the 1500's translated to English doesn't make for the most enjoyable reading. If you are deeply interested in the history of gambling or how old school games were played you will probably find value in this book. One of my favorite parts is when he discusses card cheats and it turns out scams like marked cards, dealing seconds/from the bottom of the deck, and cold decks were well known even way back then. Overall the book's content is part life lessons on gambling, part probability, and part descriptions of how various games are played.

Comments

LostWages
LostWages Apr 29, 2017

Thanks for the gambling book reviews - keep them coming!

AnGurman12
AnGurman12 May 04, 2017

thanks for sharing!...

matsemilsson123
matsemilsson123 May 08, 2017

Thanks. This is very helpful... more please!

JessicaSmoling
JessicaSmoling Jun 19, 2017

oh great books, thanks for your reviews!

DiscreteMaths2
Posted by DiscreteMaths2
Apr 16, 2017

5 Gambling Books Reviewed

The Basics of Winning Video Poker by J. Edward Allen
I do not recommend buying this book or even bothering to read it. It is an extremely bare bones overview of video poker. It is rather short and outdated as well. The only thing it has value for is if you never have heard of video poker and want an overview but the content of the book itself is completely outdone by a simple search engine search in 2017.

Winning At Slot Machines by Jim Regan
I do not recommend buying this book but its a good read for anyone brand new to gambling/casinos. This book is actually a good level headed introduction to the world of gambling through slot machines. However, it's downfall is that it is outdated so the same person who would benefit from reading this would also probably be bewildered by walking into a casino in 2017 and seeing all the modern video slots. The author should consider doing a new modern edition featuring all the new video slots and taking advantage of slot clubs.

The Frugal Gambler by Jean Scott
I recommend reading this book to anyone interested in the world of advantage play (AP). I also recommend buying it if you are ok with just reading it once since there is not too much to look back in reference. Although it has a content bias towards Las Vegas and video poker the book applies to anyone trying to gain a positive expectation in a casino. You will not learn the strategy and secrets of your specific game but instead you will learn general concepts that can apply to gambling in any casino game.

Fundamentals of Poker by Mason Malmuth and Lynne Loomis
I did not read the physical booklet version but rather a free html version that is on the two plus two website. It is a good little booklet to have around if you want to know how to play some of the common variations of poker and the basic strategy that goes along with it. Does not compare at all to the more in depth selection of books Two Plus Two Publishing offers but rather just some good tidbits. Check of the free version if you wish but there are better intro to poker books out there.

Poker for Dummies by Richard Harroch and Lou Krieger
I recommend reading and buying this book to anyone interested in poker. Despite the "For Dummies" brand this is not some bottom shelf bargain bin book. It is really a perfect introduction to all the major topics one would be interested in the world of poker. It is just slightly outdated but its a book you can come back to reference to brush up on basic strategy or learn a new variation. The major in depth variation sections cover 7 card stud, hold em, seven-stud/8, and Omaha. If you are already reading advanced strategy poker books you can skip this but it is a perfect read for some Poker 101.

Comments

odiousgambit
odiousgambit Apr 17, 2017

Thanks. Post more if you read more.

LostWages
LostWages Apr 21, 2017

DM2,



Thanks for posting your book reviews - I found them all helpful! I prefer reading reviews by WoV members vice reading the Amazon book reviews. I've just recently started reading Beat the Dealer by Edward Thorp.



Now that I have a tiny amount of experience playing BJ twice on a table, and card-counting once, I'm wondering if you've read any books/articles that have to do with exploiting situations that favor the BJ player - not complicated strategies, but simpler things like identifying a dealer's mistake (in your favor), is it advisable to rathole (yes, I've read some of the posts), or just designing the best strategy for one's bankroll and playing temperament.

DiscreteMaths2
DiscreteMaths2 Apr 21, 2017

Unfortunately I haven't read any blackjack books yet. I am on a Poker bend right now so I will have a whole bunch of Poker books to post up reviews for next. I want a full library of gambling books eventually, so I will get to BJ in time.

pwcrabb
pwcrabb Jun 04, 2017

A few more good books on gambling:



For Blackjack players, read "Blackjack Autumn" by Meadow



For sports bettors, read "Lay the Favorite" by Raymer



For a lovely story of outrageous gambling success, greed, and self-destruction, read "Repeat Until Rich" by Axelrad