For centuries, casino games have found their way into literature and this is largely because of how it fascinates writers when it comes to compressing themes into single moments. Since most casino games operate within strict rules, probabilities, and rituals, writers have developed a way that they can infuse these elements into their work. A mere turn of a card or spinning a wheel can be used to show a character’s persona, restraint or obsession. 

This way, they can create a fictional world where the game controls and speaks volume about what’s about to unfold. This is the same balance between chance and control that defines modern gambling where a single move at a fictional card table or on modern review sites such as canadian crypto casinos, is central to the whole experience. 

All this has allowed for the constant appearance of casino games in novels, short stories and plays, thereby making it a powerful literary medium. So, which casino games have authors have infused into their work to best capture their inner monologue? How have these games shaped the broader themes behind their writings? 

4 Casino Games That Appear Most Often in Literature 

Here are the most notable and mentioned casino games that have been used by authors in their writings. 

Poker 

One of the most frequently mentioned casino games that can be found in literature is undoubtedly Poker. And the major reason behind this is due to the way the game mimics human psychology. While playing, players get to bluff, misdirect and use emotional control as a weapon to outplay their opponent thereby making it the ideal character study. 

Just like James Altucher, American Author said, “Poker is a skill game pretending to be a chance game.” 

We also see this in the book, Cincinnati Kid by Richard Jessup, where he takes the readers through the journey of a high stake showdown. Other notable writers like Ernest Hemingway also infused poker themes into their work as a way to show their characters’ masculinity and sense of being in control. And all this just points to the theme of how authors and society at large has viewed the game of poker. 

Roulette 

Since the emergence of roulette in 18th century France, the game as we know it has evolved. And one of its top ways through which it gained acclaim was its insertion into literature. However, the role it plays in writing is quite different from Poker, especially since it is seen as a symbol of inevitability. 

So authors would usually use it as a way to show the fall of a character, or place. Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Gambler is a perfect example of the use of this casino game as it captures the strong pull of the roulette wheel. Many other writers also use it as a way to show that the spinning wheel is more about moral collapse which eventually shows the character’s vulnerabilities.

Blackjack 

Whenever a writer decides that they want to weave their work into a middle ground between chance and skill, they most often use Blackjack as the anchor. Although we have to admit that its usage in literature is not as common as poker or roulette, over time, it has been increasingly used in writing. 

Even before it became the modern version we know, the original variant, Vingt-et-un, had been infused into writings from as far back as the 17th century. One of the notable and oldest mentions of the game is linked to the book, Don Quixote by Miquel de Cervantes. 

Dice Games

We can all agree that dice games are one of the oldest casino games out there, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that it’s on our list. According to historians, dice games have been here for as long as can be remembered, and they have featured in literature from as far back as the Romans. With the game being easily accessible to everyone regardless of their status or social standing, using it in literature just fits perfectly. 

However most times, it is usually used as a pointer to streetwise humor and to show that the character comes from a lowly background and wants to break free. 

As American actor Shia LaBeouf puts it, “You can prepare all you want [for life], but if you never roll the dice, you’ll never be successful.”

Others include: 

• Baccarat 
• Slot machines
• Chemin de fee
• Craps 

Final Thoughts 

We have to admit that casino games already have a permanent place in literature, and can already be seen as a prop for most works. And this is because it can be used to better describe or show a perspective without the need for too many words. Readers have also overtime grown to understand these cues when they are infused into writing, which further shows the impact of these casino games in everyday life.