This was a poorly written book covering most of the basic info about the game which would only interest someone without any previous background. I would ask the other reviewers if they are related to the author! You will find numerous spelling errors throughout the book. A must avoid book!

While the basic information is presented in a concise and well-organized manner, it was very distracting to fight through the grammatical mistakes, punctuation errors and/or typos on nearly every page! The publisher should be ashamed to put out a book that has obviously not been edited.

Came back from Vegas and wanted to learn more so I ordered 6 different books and have tested the strategies. This book was among the top 3 since it covered all aspects of playing craps including money management, a full review of different betting strategies, as well as a quick overview of the basics. Vogel does not unrealistically set your winning expectations as it done by other authors to sell books. I also highly recommend John Patrick's "So You Wanna Be A Gambler: Adv. Craps" book and note that Edell's "How to Make Your Living Playing Craps" may be worth reading as well.

This book gives great information on big bet poker and will need to be read and re-read in order for it all to sink in. Though the tournament discussion is limited, the big bet ring game information is plentiful. Reuben and Ciaffone are old school but they definitely know big bet poker.

If you are even considering playing big bet poker, you must read this book. If for no other reason than almost all of your opponents will have read this book.

Bob Ciaffone has played professional level poker for many years. He has also written for 'Card Player' magazine for many years. I own all of his books and can honestly say that his writings have improved my game. And, to top it all off, he is a gentleman.

Ignore the person who gave this book 1 star. Ciaffone and Rueben offer excellent poker advice for both money and tournament players. They cover all the major money games, including Holdem, Omaha, and 7stud. The writing is clear and the examples are excellent. If I had to have only 1 poker book, this might be it. (I'd be tempted by Cloutier's book on Pot and No Limit Holdem; it'd be a hard choice.)

Also, these guys are just fun to read. Not the dry (...) you get in some poker books.

Karl Fulves is a wonderful writer. He has a concise, clear, and laconic style that I find refreshing. If you need a break from struggling with the serious, heavy tomes of card magic, this book will be an easy read. I must admit to a bias: I don't really like the majority of self-working card tricks. Unless they are abetted with some rudimentary sleights such as false shuffles, they come off as exactly what they are--self-working card tricks. That said, the serious card worker will easily be able to add sleights to the slick tricks presented here and make them really outstanding. For that Fulves deserves his four stars. It's a great book and value for the beginner and expert.

Everyone who is interested in card magic, MUST get a copy of this book. This book contains AMAZING & OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD card tricks. You won't bekieve how good these tricks are until you actually read them for yourself. You will totally mystify your friends and family.

THE BOOK IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "main" trick in this book (the one "advertised" on the cover) is absolutely mind-boggling. The first time I saw this routine it was done to me by a "resident magician" in this magic store I was shopping at. I thought I had to get some kind of elaborate card deck. This book is all the magician said I needed. Any books by this author is great. I also recommend his rope book.

I myself am a daytrader and thought this book would be interesting. First of all the guy uses all false names from his own, to even the firms he did his trades with. Second, the options trades are way too technical and every single one is mentioned Just give us the net gain/loss per trade. Third, the guy does maybe 100 to 200 trades in a couple years. I don't consider myself a huge trader but i did over 2000 trades in last year alone. He also blames the discount brokerage firm for letting him trade options so recklessly when he himself had been warned by so many people and articles and even went as far as to change his option paperwork so he could continue trading after the firm had restricted his account. The amounts he writes about are so small (big loss of maybe 18k) it's just not that engrossing...Again i don't consider myself a big player. My account was maybe 300k last year and i had losses and gains of over 130k on some days....if you want my story send me an email..its a lot more exciting!

Told with matter-of-fact honesty and methodical detail, A Sucker's Diary details one man's four-year nightmare in the stock market. Inspired by Peter Lynch's One Up on Wall Street, among other things, the author aspired to be a player in high finance.

By true day trading standards, this person was numerically a small player, controlling perhaps $300,000 in financial assets at his peak in mid-1996 and trading perhaps a few times a week. Many of his later trades in options were hard to follow (for me) so it's hard to tell the exact situation. However, despite the fact that he may be "small time", his story is told with heart and he really helps you get into his shoes (with holes in them, at that).

It's worth wondering if the author "Mr. Katzman" had used an even deeper discount broker ($8 per trade instead of $30), or had been in a more bubble-friendly environment such as 1997-2000 instead of 1994-1997, if he might still be with us, and a millionaire. Particularly in the later stages of his mania he seems to have been bent on destruction, and perhaps his wipeout would have been even more spectacular. One has to admire his dedication to pay off his massive debts following his financial collapse. However, he shows you his ugly traits in this novella as well as his positive qualities, giving the whole tale a good ring of truth.

This book is most helpful to someone new to the financial markets, who might have just read "One Up on Wall Street", thinking, "Hey, I can trade stocks like Peter Lynch too!" I doubt if true day traders, manic-depressive and otherwise, will get much out of this book except the pungent atmosphere.

What did Mr. Katzman do wrong? Without going through the whole book I think there were three key mistakes that he made regularly:

Leverage - Mr. Katzman financed his stock purchases with $50,000+ in credit card debt, and margin debt on top of that. Were he not maximally leveraged with the credit card debt, he might have been able to hold on better when the market went against him. In addition, the added anxiety arising from his leveraged position tended to cloud his thinking.

Lack of Diversification - He normally concentrated his portfolio in fewer than five stocks (it seemed like three) - although with options this is more difficult to measure.

Half-Baked Thinking - Some of the ideas he had for his portfolio would be along the lines of the following: A Business Week article says that global warming is going to increase risk of skin cancer in Americans, so he goes out and buys a company that has a skin cancer treatment. Well, if Business Week has thought of it the market probably discounted it last year, let alone last week. You need to take things to the next level when you think of investing ideas (I am prone to this weakness as well).

If you think you can't make the mistakes Mr. Katzman did, please try to read this book with a little humility. Would that every investor in the market could learn this man's lessons.

I read this book on my ebook, where I stumbled on it while browsing the new catalogue. It was an excellent read and I finished it in a day. The most fascinating part of the book is the story of how the author slowly got suckered in to each level of trading, and set himself up so he could do nothing but fail. The other part of the book I most enjoyed was how vividly he described the methods that brokerages use to rip off the average investor, and how bad the odds are stacked against the active trader. Finally, the author quotes the brilliant speculator Bernard Baruch who wrote that "speculating is a full time profession." Nothing could be more true. I would definitely recommend this book to any investors or traders who want to get a clearer picture of why this game is so difficult to beat.

When it was first written, I am sure this was a great primer. Now, there are many more texts examining questions this book tackles--try GAMBLING THEORY by Mason Malmth for blackjack, sports betting, horseracing, and bankroll control.

I would recommend specific texts on the games you plan to beat rather than this general text. Good luck.

To the reader who was frustrated by the title of Chapter one, 'Kubeiagenesis', and could not find a definition.

-genesis, is first defined as a suffix, meaning 'origin'.
Kubeia comes from The New Testament Greek Lexicon.

Kubeia (koo-bi'-ah). Definition 1. dice playing 2. metaphor for the deception of men, because dice players sometimes cheated and defrauded their fellow players.

Translated to english in Ephesians as both 'sleight' (KJV) and 'trickery' (NAS).

Clearly, Kubeiagenesis is meant to be the origin of sleight, trickery, and deception.

That it is the first word of the text may be to inform the reader that what follows may be nonintuitive -- but is well defined, documented, and referenced. You may find yourself reading several of the referenced texts before completing the book if you are going to absorb it all.

This book is the Bible on the subject. The author brilliantly interweaves relevant stories, and shows connections to disciplines outside mathematics and gaming. If you simply want answers and don't care how they were calculated, try some of the other texts offered. If you want to understand the subject -- buy this book.

I would mostly echo the positive reviewers of this book. This book is indeed a classic in the field of probability theory and applied statistics. It is also a great book for people who want a serious, math-intensive treatment of gambling.

I am writing this review mostly to deal with the criticism that this book has received from some of the other reviewers. I would agree with those critics that this book is not for the faint of heart. This book does require a certain comfort level with mathematics.

However, I don't think it's all that fair to bash this book for those alleged faults. Mr. Epstein's book does not pretend to be anything other than a serious treatment (and a serious treatment would require a great deal of mathematical analysis) of gambling. In fact, the serious analysis of gambling is what gave rise to the mathematical disciplines of probability and statistics. Mr. Epstein is (was) an engineer and the book makes that very clear. FAIR criticism would be based on citing problems with the book based on what the book was INTENDED to be. UNfair criticism of this book is based on what the mathematically challenged reader HOPED it would be.

BTW, I do agree with the math-challenged critics that there are some good books out there dealing with a more math-oriented approach to gambling that were written with the intention of appealing to people who wanted to make use of such information and wanted a lighter touch on the math. Among them are the *Theory of Poker* by Skalansky and the other books mentioned on this page.

I have yet to use the Power Betting Strategy that is explained in this book, but I look forward to trying it on my next trip. I found the author insightful, with a good deal of anecdotal information to go along with his strategy. If I could find a negative (for me), I felt that too many pages were dedicated to discussing cheating and the mechanics involved. However, his fascination with dice "skill shots" was offset by his firm opposition to cheaters at the dice table. Overall, an excellent read. I found the author's honesty and frankness refreshing, in comparison with those books hawking "guaranteed wins" over the casino.

You can make absolute bank with this book and the new book "Get the Edge on Craps: How to control the dice" also found on this site. The book I just mentioned is how to control the dice so you can hold them on average 15-20 minutes every time you step up to the table. Sometimes you can hold them for 45 minutes. It shows you how to set, grip and throw the dice to get predetermined numbers all within 1-2 seconds so the casino does not observe you being a dice mechanic. There are people who do this and make a living at it, such as a person by the name of The mad professor who claims to be a dice mechanic earning 400,000 per year, on dicesetter.com. If you use "Get the Edge on Craps: How to control the dice" along with Conquering Casino Craps you will make about 50,000 per week. In Conquering Casino Craps it has a betting strategy that is devestating to the casinos as it has you betting only the casinos money stating off with 5 dollars with double odds and working your way up to putting down 1,000 on the line with 2,000 in odds all with the cainos money several points later. So it goes 5 with 2x odds, 10 with 2x odds, 25 with 2x odds, 50 with 2x odds, 100 with 2x odds, 100 with 2x odds, 200 with 2x odds, 400 with 2x odds, 600 with 2x odds, 1000 with 2x odds.
This may seem like a lot of points, but this can be done at a not crowded table within 10 minutes if you are on a streak, which you will be constantly with dice control as taught in the aforementioned book. Even with random "chickenfeeder" rollers, I have caught hot streaks of 10 minutes where I have made 14,000 using the above betting stategy. Can you imagine what I would make holding the dice for 20 or 40 minutes? These two books are how to break a dice table. You will have heat from the pit and careful scrutiny of your play, so dont take too long detting the dice. As the dice are being pushed over by the stickman, as a professional, be looking at them and in your mind see what you would have to do to set the dice for the proper set so by the time you have the dice, you just quickly set them in one fluid motion and shoot.
Good Luck. I am thinking about getting a dice team together and going to hit vegas.

If everyone in the casino played like the way it decribes in this book they would have to close the craps tables. I have tried the power system of betting the passline and in computer simulations I have walked away with hundreds of dollars and once even several thousand. I have come up with my own system to improve on this system if anyone is interested. I will email it to you for free. It involves also playing 'dont pass' as there are streaks where the dice are ice cold where you can also make bank.

while a lot of the info in this book is useful and easy to read, it has a very strong USA focus. Contests occur everywhere these days, but don't expect this book to give you the answers for contests where skill and creativity count, even for slogan writing contests [25 words or less games]. It is getting quite well known that the winners of these sorts of contests, at least outside the US, often use only one or two words, but present them creatively, meaning collages, sculpture etc... quite different from the hints given in this book. If you want a real motivator on contests, try 'The prize winner of Defiance' a biography of a real prize winner from the 50s and 60s!!

Do you want to increase your chances of winning contests, lotteries and sweepstakes? If yes this is an excellent resource guide for you as you tangle through the mazes of chance. Steve Ledoux gives gives his reader clear and concise methods of increasing your chances in order to become a winner. He should know because he is a winner of numerous contests that have richly rewarded him.

The book gives a brief history of the games and explains how to maximize your chances. He also has chapters dealing with game shows, the IRS, frequently asked questions regarding winning contests and how to deal with your new found wealth. Reading this information helps you to know what to expect and prepare for it. He also includes web sites, addresses and other resources regarding the rules and regulations for lotteries in the different states.

You will no doubt ask the question, if I read this book will I win? Ledoux tells the reader that number one, you've got to play the game (buy the ticket, fill out contest form, etc.) Second, follow the instructions. Third, keep a positive attitude.
Fourth, remember this is a game of fun and yes, you will win but as with anything you must keep at it. Already I tried some of his principles and yep, I won. Give his book a try and come out more knowledgeable about these games of chance.

This book gives excellent tips on both sweepstakes and contests. It gives a good overall look at the world of entering valid sweepstakes and how to spot those which are bogus. The book is an entertaining read and stresses being positive and just having fun ! It also covers some interesting ideas regarding lotteries and game shows. There aren't many books on the subject and this covers the subject very well. It's made my sweeps entering more enjoyable.

But the writer hasn't really pulled it off. Far from essential for poker players.

You wont learn funky plays with this books, which is more focused on keeping your emotions under control, and avoiding the costly "steaming" sessions. As mentioned by another reviewer, the principles in this book are also interesting for traders.
Two main criticisms:
1. Poker players know they must keep their cool, avoid steaming, manage their expectations... Still, anger is a human thing, and I think the book does not give good tricks in terms of implementing the methods advised (which is the difficult part rreally...)
2. Poker is a game of agression: trying to implement "Zen Poker" puts your usual poker at risk, as playing Zen/agressive really is tough.
Overall this book is interesting because it takes a different view to poker, but all in all it wont revolutionize your play.

"Zen and the Art of Poker" teaches lessons essential for anyone who wants to better understand the emotional element of the poker game. I consider this text to be the most useful thing I have ever read on poker (and card playing in general). Any success I have had since reading this book is the direct result of the lessons contained in its pages, as I have transformed myself from a sloppy gunslinger to a cold-blooded pot-dragger.

Success at the tables can be owed to three things. The first is luck, which can't be taught. Next is a player's mathematical understanding of the statistics of the game, which is the subject of almost every other poker book written. Finally, the overlooked element of successful poker play concerns self discipline at the table. This book outlines Buddhist philosophies that can be applied in a poker game, helping a player better understand how their mental approach to the game is as important as the cards they are dealt.

This book is not for the average poker player. A person needs to be prepared to do some serious self analysis and abandon old tricks, habits and superstitions that have no real practical purpose in the game. If an open-minded player does "buy-in" to the lessons of this book, they will learn to focus, remain calm and dominate weaker-minded opponents.

This was apparently a self published title from "Winners Press" and a good ego boost for the author. I guess if I were a lottery winner, I would pay to get my name in print but maybe give the books away instead of taking advantage of people and charging for a book like this.

Did not learn anything expect that they seem to be enjoying having won $13.5 million. If they get another $13.5, I wonder if they will use to refund money to those who purchased this book.

Glad they were lucky enough to win the lottery and not have it ruin their lives terribly.

Another reviewer titled the review "disappointed." Wish I had read that first as that was exactly how I felt.

I thought this was a good general overview of the whole process: planning, winning, distribution, and living the rest of your life. I would have liked a little less personal info and more information about the financial decisions, as in, what where their options for banking and taxes, what made them decide on the trusts, etc. For example, she brings up the question of depositing more than the FDIC insured 100K into a bank, but shrugs it off since they don't keep it there long, which is not really explained. I wanted more of those types of details. But she did a good job with charts showing how they divided the winnings, and they were very generous to their kids and church (lots of tithing info, which doesn't interest me but will interest others). Certainly, they went about it the right way. When she explained some payment mistakes I didn't understand them because of the lack of financial details but in general a good quick vicarious read, especially with the cute photos of the ticket and newspaper articles, and yes, you are happy for them. As a seemingly "traditional" wife in the marriage, I was also pleased to see that she got total control of half the winnings, 50-50, you go girl!

Even though I was disappointed to find out that the technique they used to win turned out to be "picking numbers out of a hat" this book was an excellent interpretation of life as a lottery winner.It made me feel as if I was there going through everything with them from the excitement of verifying the ticket as a winner to making financial decisions on spending and distributing amongst family members!

Jason Starr has fiction chops to die for. Characters are beautifully drawn. The setttings are wonderfully depicted. But this thing is an awful mess. We start with a character who is not exactly a rocket scientist, but bedrock decent and hard working. Over the course of the book, he becomes a) a complete moron, b) a stalker, c) a burglar, d) a guy who steals from his employer. In other words, his basic character as a human being changes. If Starr was trying for humor, well, it's not funny. In fact, the overall feeling this book left me with was depression. I usually donate my used paperbacks to the local library. This one I'm going to throw out. I wouldn't want anyone else to have to read it.

Starr's latest chronicles the criminal misadventures of Mickey Prada, a young man employed at a fish market. Despite the trouble he has making ends meet (he has to support his father, an Alzheimer's victim), Mickey still hopes to attend college one day.

Mickey's plans are dashed the day he agrees to place a bet as a favor for customer Angelo Santoro, who claims he's connected to a New York Crime family. When Angelo's team loses, Mickey finds himself on the hook for $55. Refusing to pay until he has a chance to recoup his losses, Angelo bullies Mickey into placing additional losing bets that increase the debt to over $2000. Under pressure from his bookie, and seeing no way to earn the money legitimately, Mickey accompanies his best friend on a burglary. When that plan goes awry, Mickey's life takes a startling turn for the worse.

Unlike Starr's previous novels, set in modern times and featuring yuppie protagonists, Tough Luck takes place in 1984, focusing on a member of the lower class. Told in plain, straightforward prose, the story is compelling enough, but doesn't hold up very well upon subsequent reflection.
Although Mickey starts out as a sympathetic character, readers begin to feel contempt for him as he makes one irrational decision after another, steadily adding to his problems. Starr's decision to set the book in 1984 is questionable, as it adds nothing to the story's overall impact. He makes another tactical error in his search for a twist ending, effectively squandering any goodwill readers might still harbor for Mickey, leaving his audience with a bad taste in their mouths at story's end. In the end, Tough Luck constitutes good, competent work, but nothing approaching the quality of previous Starr offerings like Cold Caller, Nothing Personal, and Hard Feelings.

Never read anything by this guy before this, but I sure will now! Wow! A master of concise character development, Starr has put together one gem of a fast reading look at the life of a young man trapped in his life in Brooklyn. You can only hang on for the ride as Mickey Prada makes one poor decision after another and watches his life go down the toilet. A likable enough guy, Mickey is not too bright. His inability to size up the situations in which he finds himself leads to the destruction of the limited life he knows. Crisp clipped dialogue and scenes rife with local color and characters give this short novel a stunning vibrancy.