The Ultimate Gamblers’ Reading List: 30 Best Gambling Books (both Novels and How Tos)

The following list contains the top gambling books on casinos, table games, and sports betting. This collection not only tells a few amazing stories but also inspires you towards your own achievements. The following gambling books can teach you certain betting strategies.

This is why we are going to show you how to do it. We have compiled a list of the top gambling books. These guides can also be used as fiction and novels. During our research we also took into account the Goodreads and Amazon ratings for gambling books.

The best books about gambling: guides, manuals and how-tos

There is a vast array of gambling books available, so we decided that we would compile a selection of the best. These books can be used as guides, handbooks or, even better, as how-tos. The book we are about to mention may even make a wonderful gift for gamblers. Here is our selection:

15 – Playing at the Casinos – Peter Svoboda

(Amazon. 3.2, Goodreads. 2.5)

This guide, which is easy to read and understand, will let you take a peek inside any casino. Peter Svoboda, in his book “Beating the Casinos: Their Own Game”, explains the rules of each slot machine and gives tips and tricks that can increase your chances at winning.

14 – Casino Gambling for Dummies by Kevin Blackwood

(Amazon, Goodreads, 4.4)

Casino Gambling for Dummies is a fantastic gambling book, especially for beginners. You’ll learn about all the casino games, including poker, baccarat, roulette and blackjack. These games can be explained in detail using a few strategies.

13 – Thinking In Bets: Making Smarter Choices when You Don’t Know All the Facts Annie Duke

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.8)

Annie Duke, a former World Series of Poker winner and bracelet winner, has written a book called Thinking in Bets. It contains examples from sports, business and poker. These examples can help anyone make better business decisions. She explains that decisions that involve uncertainty and lack of information should be evaluated by the process rather than their results. It doesn’t matter if you lose a hand. This is true in all aspects of life.

12 – The Banker, the Professor and the Suicide Queen: Inside the Richest Poker Game of All Time. Michael Craig

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.0)

Michael Craig’s The Professor, Banker, and Suicide King gives you an unforgettable look into the lives of people who live on the edge. The book explores the exciting world and stories surrounding poker games as well professional players in Las Vegas casinos. You will be amazed at the activities of these big-name players if you read this book. For all those who want to play high stakes poker, this book is a must-read.

11 – The Theory of Blackjack: The Compleat Card Counter’s Guide to 21 Casino Games – Peter Griffin

(Amazon 4, Goodreads4)

This book will explain the card-counting method, its workings, the best strategy, and the accuracy of the system. Peter Griffin’s book The Theory of Blackjack: Compleat Card Counter’s Handbook to the Casino Game of 21 will both entertain and educate. Griffin, a member of California State University’s Blackjack Hall of Fame and an expert in mathematics statistics, has explained the counting techniques. You’ll need patience and discipline to become a successful card counter with his book.

10 – Al Alvarez: The Best Biggest Sport in Town

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.0, Amazon 4.5)

Al Alvarez’s book The Biggest Game in Town tells of the World Series of Poker. It features a portrait of the local pros, as well as the madmen, geniuses and hustlers that ruled the high-stakes Las Vegas game. You’ll enjoy the author’s perspective on poker – both as a way to live and as an addiction. Although the book was written decades ago, it remains a timeless cult favorite. It is absorbing and an enjoyable read.

9 – Gambling102: The Best Strategies to Play All Casino Games by Michael Shackleford

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.8)

This writer is not trying to convince you that winning at casino games is easy. The writer takes all factors into consideration, including a thorough assessment of your odds and the strategies that you should use to lower them. Gambling 101: The Best Strategies for All Casino Games by Michael Shackleford aims to help you play the best possible game while putting in the most effort.

8 – Doyle Brunson Super System A Course in Power Poker Doyle Brunson

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.0)

Super System is a book by Doyle Brunson. He is a true poker genius and legend. While some of the strategies and tactics in this book may seem outdated, Doyle Brunson still describes how it “does work” when it is about teaching people how they can play power poker. This book is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to master poker, Texas Hold’em.

7 – Bringing Down the House – Ben Mezrich

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.0)

Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich is a fascinating book about Las Vegas based upon a true-story. It’s about six MIT students who formed a blackjack card group and then took $3M dollars from the most prestigious Vegas casinos. They developed the perfect card counting system thanks to their mathematical intelligence. The writing style is conversational and easy to understand, so we highly recommend it. It is also the basis of 21: one of our favorite gambling movies.

6 – The Theory of Poker, David Sklansky

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.4)

The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky is said to have made a big difference in the play of some of the most successful poker players. Many others agree that this book has everything you need to learn about poker, even if your first time playing is not yet. There are many theories and concepts that you can apply to almost every version of poker.

5 – Blackbelt in Blackjack – Arnold Snyder

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.1)

Blackbelt In Blackjack by Snyder is an extensive guide to this game. It covers strategy and money management as well as the various table variations. The book also covers high roller play as well as team play and card counting. For experienced players looking for more advanced strategies to win the best results playing blackjack, some sections of this book will be a great guide. You start as a white belt. The storyline continues to green belt until you reach black belt.

4 – American Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling, Andrew Brisman

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.1)

American Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling is a humorous guide that teaches you how to play like an educated gambler. Andrew Brisman has an easy approach when it comes to explaining and discussing the odds. Basic strategy can be learned quickly if you’re interested. This book is a must-have for intermediate and beginner players.

3 – Complete Gambling Guide – John Scarne

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.1)

John Scarne, one of the most respected figures in gambling, shares inside tips and gambling advice in his book Complete Guide to Gambling. You’ll learn more about official rules and exact odds as well as house percentages once you begin reading this guide. This guide also offers advice on strategy and reviews every game. It also explains how to place bets.

The book contains detailed information about play and rules for all games of chance. Additionally, it explains house percentages and odds as well as sleight of hand tricks.

2 – A man for all markets: From Las Vegas, Wall Street, and How I beat the dealer and the market – Edward O. Thorp

(Amazon. 4.5, Goodreads.4.2)

Edward O. Thorp is a great mathematician who was also a famous and wealthy gambler. Thorp holds a master’s degree and a doctorate of mathematics. He is also known as ” , the father of card-counting.” His book, A Man for All Markets, From Las Vegas to Wall Street: How I Beat the Dealer, teaches people how to think rationally so they can beat the dealer at a blackjack table.

Thorp’s incredible success led to so much confusion that many casinos changed their rules to prevent him from winning, as well as the legions of people he inspired.

1 – Fortune’s Formula – The Untold Story Of the Scientific Betting System That Beat Wall Street and the Casinos – William Poundstone

(Amazon. 4.5, Goodreads.4.2)

Two Bell Labs scientists discovered the secret formula to big money. These geniuses made it big by applying computers and the Internet to their problem of making the most money possible as quickly as they could. This book is fascinating because it reveals how mathematical everything really is.

Fortune’s Formula by William Poundstone is a fascinating book that will tell you all you need to know about Kelly’s growth formula. If you are interested in gambling, placing wagers, or trying your luck at the casino, this book is for you!

Best Books on Gambling: Fictional Books and Novels

This selection of books on gambling, in fiction or novels form, is recommended for everyone.

15 – Fools Die – Mario Puzo

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.7)

Mario Puzo’s Fools Die, an epic thriller, is about two brothers who enter the dangerous worlds of high-stakes gaming where law and organized criminality are one. This book is both a film and a publishing story. It shows the worst side of an exceptionally good person. It is about people’s weak decisions in life and how they can be easily consumed by power envy and violence in Las Vegas and New York.

14 – Jean Scott, The Frugal Gambler

(Amazon 4, Goodreads 3.6)

Jean Scott is America’s most well-known low roller. She became famous in 1998 following the publication of her book The Frugal Gambler. She has stayed at hotel-casinos for up to three months in a row without having to pay a single dollar. As she is able to get everything for free, including meals, manicures or manicures, clothing, jewelry and even gifts, she quickly became a household name among casino fans. How is she able to do this? To find out, you will have to read the book – it is a page-turner.

13 – Sharp Sports Betting by Stanford Wong

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.6)

This is the book to read if you want to increase your chances of winning in sports betting. Sharp Sports Betting, by Stanford Wong, will help you develop big-picture thinking and then make some smart moves when it comes to sports betting. It’s not easy to understand the math, but it won’t stop you from becoming a better sports gambling pro.

12 – God Doesn’t Shoot Craps – Richard Armstrong

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.0, Amazon 4.5)

Richard Armstrong’s God Doesn’t Shoot Craps is a hilarious tale that will have you laughing out loud. Danny Pelligrino plays the main character. He is a straight-up conman who uses direct mail to make his money. Danny meets Virgil Kirk, a filthy wealthy inventor who has mastered the craps strategy. He soon realizes that Virgil’s method works like a charm. It is also very profitable. He soon claims to have found a way of getting an edge on the house. Now he’s off to build his fortune.

11 – Casino Royale – Ian Fleming

(Amazon, Goodreads and Amazon 4.4)

Casino Royale, Ian Fleming’s first novel, was published in 1953. The story is inspired by James Bond’s adventures at a French high-roller casino. British Secret Service assigns Bond to bankrupt Le Chiffre. Le Chiffre is the treasurer of a French union. Bond also becomes a member the Russian secret service in a high stakes baccarat match. Casino Royale, a must-read if you haven’t read Fleming’s works but are familiar enough with Bond (played here by Daniel Craig in the 2006 movie based on the novel).

10 – Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Store – Charles Dickens

(Amazon, Goodreads and Amazon 4.4)

Charles Dickens’ depiction of Nell, an innocent and poor person, made The Old Curiosity Shop popular and won the hearts of many. The story is about Nell Trent and her grandfather. They are both residents at The Old Curiosity Shop in London. The grandfather is a depressive character, who turns out to also be a gambling addict.

After losing the money he borrowed to buy his house, he is forced to sell it and the two sad characters are forced into dangerous Victorian London streets and a dark world. The book highlights contrasts such as middle childhood and older age, beauty versus cruelty, freedom vs. captivity.

9 – The Music of Chance, Paul Auster

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.0)

Paul Auster’s The Music of Chance is another gambling novel. It deals with fate, responsibility, loyalty and the meanings of being free. Jim Nashe, the main character, leaves Boston in pursuit to freedom and meets Jack Pozzi (a young gambler), who is a man with a temper, and a plan. Two millionaires were their goal, but the plan they came up with didn’t work.

Instead they played poker against two eccentrics wealthy with Nashe’s last funds. As a way of clearing the debt, they built a wall after losing that game. The shocking end is something that nobody expected.

8 – Tim Powers – Last call

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.1)

Tim Powers’ Last Call novel focuses on Scott Crane who finds himself forced to play the high-stakes poker game of his life. He puts everything into it and takes risks. Crane is a poker player whose wife has recently died. His life is in ruins. It seemed like things could get worse for Crane, but parts of his history came back to haunted him just when he thought they couldn’t. One of his most significant memories is a bizarre card game he played 20 years ago. It turns out that this was the time and place where he lost his soul. You would have to read the book in order to understand how he attempts to win his soul back.

7 – Once A Gambler – The Escape – Miikka Anttonen

(Amazon. 4.3, Goodreads. 4.2)

Once a Gambler: Escape is a journal about the time when Miikka Anttonen, a 10-year-old, began placing bets and discovered gambling. He was able to win large amounts of money by studying sports betting odds, but this also led him to drop out from high school. The Escapeoffers readers the opportunity to look at both sides to the gambling industry, from Miikka leaving high school to jet-setting around to the world and taking home $100,000-dollar paydays. You should definitely give this book a shot, it’s been a bestseller since its publication.

6 – The Home Always Wins – Brian Rouff

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.4)

The House Always Wins is a fast-paced, dramatic story that Anna Rouff narrates. The couple, Anna and Aaron, were newly married when they arrived in Las Vegas. After their marriage, they moved into a Victorian mansion haunted the ghost of a Sin City crook. Anna was then notified by a corrupt casino owner about his plans to buy all their properties, including their house. The couple began digging to get around the system.

You won’t want to put down this book once you get it started. It is filled with easy-to-read descriptions. “The House Always Wins” is more a sign that gamblers will soon realize the odds are against them.

5 – Las Vegas Casino: Love and Honor – Nicholas Pileggi

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.5)

Nicholas Pileggi’s book Casino: Love and Honor In Las Vegas was a huge bestseller and was later adapted into Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning movie GoodFellas. This is a Mafia-style novel about love, crime, and revenge. It is an author’s account of the mafia-controlled casinos in Las Vegas and how they operate.

These gangsters were involved with a range of criminal activities such as loan sharking, murder, armed theft and gambling. They had complete control over Sin City’s nightlife and stole millions for their bosses. The book will be even better if you liked the movie.

4 – The Hustler Walter Tevis

(Amazon, Godreads and 4.2)

Walter Tevis’ book The Hustler relates the story of a man who struggles with anger and self-esteem. The book is quick and concisely written. It focuses around Eddie Felson’s victories and defeats.

He is a pool hustler, who travels from one place to the next to con people into playing against him. He meets Minnesota Fats, who is the true king and queen of the poolroom. This book will be a delight to read, even if you don’t play pool.

3 – Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, The Gambler

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.9)

Dostoevsky’s Gambler was inspired by his addiction to gambling. After being given a tight deadline to pay off his gambling debts, he finished the novel in 1866. It’s a fascinating story about Alexey, a young tutor for a Russian general who was once wealthy.

Dostoevsky is once more able to portray the psychological landscape of a gambling addict through his remarkable psychological portrait.

2 – Fear & Loathing Las Vegas – Hunter S. Thompson

(Amazon, Goodreads 4.1)

Fear and Loathing at Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson focuses on Raoul Duke and his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo. The two embark on a long weekend road trip to Las Vegas to pursue the American Dream. Through his humorous humor, the author reveals the history of American drug culture in late 20th-century America.

Thompson’s metaphors, as well as some grotesque elements, make the story entertaining and informative. It is also based upon real-life events. It is highly recommended.

1 – Dice Angel – Brian Rouff

(Amazon, Goodreads 3.4)

This is one of our most popular books about gambling. Brian Rouff’s Dice Angel was inspired by a fictional character named James Delaney Jr., who owns a Las Vegas bar he inherits from his father. After a casino robbery, he realizes he’s lost thousands of dollars.

Now, he must gather all that money in order to save his bar from the IRS. This is a hilarious story filled with characters who make you smile and sympathize with the main character.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that people take risks sometimes, some gamble for fun, others are serious about gambling, so we’ve compiled a list with the best gambling books. Each book answers whether gambling is luck, whether you can beat online casinos at your own game or if the house always wins.

You can also listen to our podcast episodes if you want to stop reading and still be in the (gambling!) zone.