Gambling is a topic that has prompted numerous authors to write on it, from the likes of investigative journalists to professional gamblers willing to reveal their secrets.
There is a book for anyone who is intrigued by the betting and the math behind it, by the risk-taking psychology, or by the casino industry’s history, to both develop your skills and widen your outlook. So, here is a list of books about gambling, handpicked from the best of the worst for every type of reader.
1. The Biggest Bluff – Maria Konnikova
The Biggest Bluff is Maria Konnikova’s (a psychologist and a journalist) account of how she learned poker from almost zero to the point of playing in high-stakes tournaments. Alongside poker legend Erik Seidel, she discovers the broader lessons that the game gives on decision-making, probability, and emotional control under pressure.
As a result, she incorporates poker as the main game while the lessons become universal for gambling and risk-taking. Hence, the book is a personal and scientific confluence that intrigues, provokes, and enlightens the reader.
2. The Theory of Poker – David Sklansky
For anyone interested in poker, whether in casinos, home games, or even playing poker online real money, this is the essential textbook. The book by David Sklansky goes beyond the street-smart advice, it reveals the poker-relevant principles that are the criteria for the division of players into casual and professional.
Terms like pot odds, implied odds, bluffing frequency, and hand ranges are explained in a simple yet thorough manner. Thus, those who are not going pro will still benefit from the theory through their improved decision-making skills and much more profitable sessions.
3. Bringing Down the House – Ben Mezrich
Bringing Down the House is an excellent, creative novel that depicts the actual life events of the MIT Blackjack Team.
You will only find this thrilling, but not a step-by-step guide on logic. Card counting is legal, although casinos disallow it. Nevertheless, it remains a testament to how skill and teamwork can alter the game’s outcome in favor of the player. If you are a fan of the combination of high-stakes and smart real-world gambling, then this book is your perfect match.
4. Gambling 102: The Best Strategies for All Casino Games – Michael Shackleford
Michael Shackleford, better known as “The Wizard of Odds” is the one who tells you what to do, in straightforward, logical terms supported by mathematics, to be successful in casino games, without any difficulty.
Gambling 102 is essentially the ultimate guide, offering advice on strategies for various games, such as craps, baccarat, video poker, and slots, where players have the best chance of winning.
5. Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling – David G. Schwartz
Gambling has existed since the advent of civilization, and Roll the Bones charts its past, from ancient dice games in Mesopotamia to giant casinos in Macau and Las Vegas.
Schwartz, a historian of the casino industry, precisely combines diligent research with charismatic narrative. This book is the one that educates the readers not only about the betting procedures but also on how betting has impacted human traditions and the world economy.
6. Sharp Sports Betting – Stanford Wong
If you enjoy sports betting, Sharp Sports Betting is a must-have. Wong lays down the groundwork on how to figure out point spreads, evaluate odds, and find valuable betting opportunities. The emphasis is on careful, numbers-based strategies instead of suppositions or “gut feelings.”
So, if betting on sports is more than just a hobby for you, this book will provide you with a solid foundation to approach the sports market like an investor.
7. Fortune’s Formula – William Poundstone
Fortune’s Formula is the melding of mathematics, finance, and gambling into one captivating narration. It recounts the story of the Kelly Criterion, a mathematical formula that supports the decision of bet sizes that are optimal for the achievement of long-term growth.
Poundstone tells the stories of the gangster, Wall Street traders, and casino legends to prove how this formula was one of the factors that both gambling and investing benefited from. The math is made easier by the storytelling, even if you are not a numbers person.
8. Positively Fifth Street – James McManus
This book can be described as a murder mystery combined with a poker memoir. McManus takes a trip to Las Vegas to write a report for Harper’s Magazine about the World Series of Poker, but ends up buying a seat for the tournament himself and making it far into the event.
At the same time, he covers the expensive murder case of Ted Binion, a Las Vegas casino scion, drifting alongside the World Series of Poker. The mixture of court drama, poker suspense, and journalist’s charm makes it a remarkable and entertaining read.