Whether you are a regular at brick-and-mortar casinos or you prefer the online world, luck will only get you so far in gambling. Want to enter the league of the greatest casino gamblers? You’ll need to do your homework.
Thankfully, the gambling world is full of acclaimed authors who offer some of the best advice and strategies to their readers – from advanced wagering systems to algorithmic betting models, they’ll certainly help you optimise your gameplay.
With this in mind, here are five of the best casino books that’ll improve your chances of beating the casinos’ house.
REMEMBER: these books are not guaranteed to make you win. But they will certainly help you avoid silly errors and play intelligently to get the most out of your bankroll.
The Perfect Bet: How Science and Math Are Taking the Luck Out of Gambling (2016)
Goodreads: 3.64/5 (242 votes)
“An elegant and amusing account…. Anyone planning to enter a casino or place an online bet would be advised to keep this book handy”. – Wall Street Journal
For years, mathematicians and scientists have been trying to figure out a solution to challenge Lady Luck. However, written by Adam Kucharski, an assistant professor in mathematical modelling and award-winning science writer, ‘The Perfect Bet’ explains exactly why (and how) the house is beatable. Featuring stories from the experts who have succeeded and their solutions; this book is a must-have if you’re trying to improve your betting systems!
The Biggest Game in Town (1983)
Goodreads: 3.71/5 (797 votes)
“A cool, precise, sharply witty, vivid evocation of a place and people, their appearances, behaviour and speech…Mr Alvarez is a shrewd analyst of the psychology of gamblers and a cleverly selective recorder of their bizarre talk with which, directly and indirectly, they reveal their secure grasp of unreality and their insane courage”. – Sunday Telegraph
Labelled as “the best book ever written on poker” by fans and critics, The Biggest Game in Town is actually the oldest book on our list. Author Al Alvarez uses this book to describe the 1981 World Series of Poker event; delving into their techniques and tricks in their world of high-stakes. It’s certainly a great book for those who want to take their poker play to the next level.
Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One (1962)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (420 votes)
“A fascinating read and an indispensable resource for winning big, Beat the Dealer is the bible for players of this game of chance” – Goodreads
Labelled as the “father of card counting”, Edward O. Thorps’ book Beat the Dealer is perfect for any blackjack fanatic. In this classic guide, you can learn about Thorps’ revolutionary points system, plus:
- Advice on how to spot cheating
- An overview of the games’ basic rules
- Charts and tables that illustrate key concepts
- Methods of overcoming casino counter measures
- Simple and advanced winning strategies
Every Hand Revealed (2008)
Goodreads: 4.03/5 (1,278 votes)
“A fascinating read and an indispensable resource for winning big, Beat the Dealer is the bible for players of this game of chance”. – Amazon
Gus Hansen has undoubtedly made quite a reputation for himself in the world of poker. Nicknamed “The Great Dane” and “The Madman” for his fearless, crazy style, the five-time international title holder’s book Every Hand Revealed is ideal for those who want to get inside the mind of one of poker’s most successful players.
You’ll learn:
- Every calculation, bluff and educated guess made by Hansen’s opponents
- How the prize structure should influence your gameplay
- The logical tactics behind Hansen’s “madness” that have helped him win consistently
- How to call large bets with seemingly unplayable hands
Winning Low Limit Hold’em (1994)
Goodreads: 3.75/5 (349 votes)
“I wish this book had been out when I started playing hold’em, because it is a great way to learn the game. If you want to put yourself on the path to becoming a top hold’em player, Lee’s book is the place to start”. – Greg Raymer, Champion, 2004 World Series of Poker
Considered one of the most well-known (and best) books for those who play low limit hold’em poker, author Lee Jones walks the reader through the basics on low limit hold’em poker, why low limit hold’em differs in comparison to middle and higher limit games, plus multiple examples of cards and how to play them.
Also, as it was recently updated to include coverage of online poker, this is certainly the book for those wanting to start playing low-limit hold’em.
Have you read any of these books? Do you have any other suggestions for the list? We’d love to hear your thoughts!