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A book is certainly one of the best and most interesting ways to learn something. When it comes to gambling, there are more books than you can read in a lifetime. This is why we have made this list of 10 ultimate gambling books that every serious gambler should read.
The history of gambling and of gambling books is very old. It goes way before the online casinos were introduced. Several fiction and non-fiction books have been written by expert writers on gambling and related things. Check out our list of betting books that you can read now.
The Man with the Golden Arm by Nelson Algren
This classic novel was published in November 1949 and is widely considered one of the most significant pieces of literature written (and existed) after World War II. This was also turned into a movie in 1955 starring Frank Sinatra.
The book is based on the life of a drug addict Francis Majcinek who tries to stay clean and get back to his normal life for the sake of his wife and friends. This is one of the most inspiring gambling movies ever made.
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
Yes, you assumed it right. This is the same book that inspired 2006’s film of the same name, featuring the immortal character of James Bond. The book talks about Bond’s very first mission that involves stopping Le Chiffre from cheating in the Baccarat game at Casino Royale. This was the first book in the Bond series and its success inspired many more books by the same writer. If you are looking to learn casino baccarat with some thrill and romance, you should definitely go for the book.
Casino by Nicholas Pileggi
Published first in October 1995, this is a non-fiction book about the life of Nicholas Pileggi, who was a crime reporter. The book contains details about Mafia mobsters Tony Spilotro and Lefty Rosenthal and their alliance that took over the Mafia and gambling in Las Vegas at the time.
This is one of most famous gambling story books which every gambler must read.
American Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling: Winning Ways by Andrew Brisman
It is a book that teaches ways to beat casinos at gambling. It also describes how casinos work and the trick to understanding their games. This is a really good book for those who want to become a pro at this game. This book helps you understand the basic concept of probability that casinos follow in order to stay in the business and the ways you can use it yourself to improve your winning odds. The thing that makes it a wonderful read is that the tricks in the book are explained through a compelling story.
Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich
As the name says, this is a story (non-fiction) of six MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) students (card counters) who went to Las Vegas and won millions in gambling. The book revolves around the technique of card counting in blackjack. The writer even explains how they did it and managed to win millions from the LA casinos. It is even said that these guys were trained in this specific strategy.
If you are looking to learn card counting through an interesting story, this is the book for you.
Gambling 102 by Michael Shackleford
This is a gambling guide that explains several strategies on how to win more at casino games. Michael Shackleford, known as “The Wizard of Odds” because of his solid mathematical analysis of casino games, explains all the details about how casino games work and how one can beat these games through basic math. The book talks about 19 different games and shares strategies to get better at them.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
This book tells the story of how something like gambling can become the reason for fear and loathing in players. It also tells how Americans are addicted to casinos and how that addiction sometimes results in crime. The book was adapted into a movie of the same name in 1998 starring Johnny Depp and Tobey Maguire.
The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
One of the oldest and most prominent books about gambling, the Gambler is said to be inspired by Dostoyevsky’s own addiction to gambling, especially to roulette. So, you will learn a lot about this game in the book. The book is about a young gambler who becomes addicted to the roulette table in a local casino. The reason why Dostoyevsky had to write the book is that he was under a strict deadline to pay off his gambling debts.
This novel tells you every reason why you should never gamble out of your budget.
Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling by David G. Schwartz
Published in October 2006, this book is all about the history of gambling, from the ancient time to the online gaming. It contains details about how it started and evolved over the time and its influence on human civilization, culture and religion. The book also talks about how craps and other games survived through the years.
The Biggest Game in Town by Al Alvarez
Published in 1983, the Biggest Game is a book about the 1981 WSP (World Series of Poker) event in Las Vegas. This is a must-read for everyone who loves Poker or desires to become a poker player. This book is like a guide to the World Series of Poker and the world of professional poker gaming.
The book also gives a detailed idea of the Las Vegas poker scene at the time. This is one of the books recommended for those fascinated by poker or gambling in general.