Very informative and easy to understand especially for a beginner like myself. Explained the different types of games and odds in an an easy to understand language. I felt more education the next time I played the slots.

"Thrifty Gambling", by John G. Brokopp is a wonderfully written treatise on the field of gambling. There are charts, diagrams, statistics, and practical information that will save its readers money and their sanity. Many false premises concerning odds and your chance to win at a given game are laid out and explained. The term "thrifty" is well chosen and defined to give you the best play for your money. Games are defined, explained, and odds spelled out. This is a wonderful book to read and read again, and I bet you'll find your investment in the book will be well paid off with a better understanding of odds and better play for your money.

Edward Vincent editor OakParkJournal.com

I never knew what I was up against when I played slots, but after reading Thrifty Gambling I found out the truth in plain, common sense language. I will still play slots, but thanks to Thrifty Gambling I am now an informed player. They used to be a mystery. Now I feel like I am in control of both the game and the money. Thrifty Gambling has changed the whole way I play and it's all for the better. I have read a lot of gambling books, but never one so informative with good common sense gambling techniques.An awesome, must buy book!

I picked this book up on the way to the airport, and ending up laughing out loud the whole flight (much to the annoyance of my fellow passengers, I'm afraid.) A bleak but terribly funny look at human nature... nature red in tooth and claw, in this instance.

Dostoevsky's Last Night is a daring and unexspected ride through rick and redemption by an author who is obviously not afraid to take risks. In this dazzling novel, Jorge, a passionate and eccentric man addicted to gambling seeks help with Lucia, his shrink. But instead of finding the accepting and caring person he was looking for Lucia attempts to cure him with straitforward no nonsence opinions and caustic advice, which causes Jorge to become more fond of her than he exspected. The plot, however, is not the most interesting part of Dostoevsky's Last Night -- the ideas are. Rossi moves through her novel with incredible grace, showing both the beauty and the tyranny of passion. Borrowing from numerous psychological, literary, and popular influences she constructs a book that burns with all the passion of the gambling table but with much more certainty of comming out a winner.

Although I've not read the translation into English, I wanted to set the record straight and indicate that this novel is not "full of hope." It is, however, a completely engrossing story. One finds oneself being seduced by Jorge and pulled into sharing his vision of gambling, the world, and himself, which is an indication of Peri Rossi's virtuosity as a writer, as this pessimistic, superior and world-weary vision is apparently not her own.

In May 1992, I sat down to watch the Kentucky Derby expecting to watch the coronation of a horse named Arazi as the best horse since Secretariat. However, a horse I had never heard of before, Lil E. Tee, pulled a shocking upset of Arazi and won the Run for the Roses. After Lil E. Tee failed to win the Preakness Stakes, he was forgotten in my mind. That was until I picked up this book.

John Eisenberg's story of Lil E. Tee is one of the most fascinating horse racing stories you will ever read. A horse with suspect breeding, chronic colic problems, bad legs and who changed hands several times (including once for a mere $3,000) went on to win the Kentucky Derby over several royally-bred colts plus the so-called unbeatable Arazi. He also gave an accomplished jockey, Pat Day, his first (and so far, only) Kentucky Derby winner, when Day himself thought Lil E. Tee was one of his worst Derby mounts ever.

John Eisenberg has provided a well-researched tale of the life of Lil E. Tee prior to the Derby. Interviews have been conducted with pretty much all of the principles of his story and those tales have been woven into an entertaining story that reads almost like fiction.

"The Longest Shot" isn't quite the masterpiece of Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit", but I think that this book might have great potential as a movie, because it really is a true equine "Rocky"!

I purchased this book on a whim, let it sit around for a while, and randomly picked it up on my way to bed, thinking that I would read a little bit and then quickly fall asleep. Little did I know that I would be up all night, my usually short attention span completely riveted, as time flew by. This book provides a wealth of information about Lil E Tee's origin, racing career, and the people around him.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the author had a tendency to introduce characters out of sequence. For example, sometimes background information would be provided on a person who was not involved in the progression of the story until several chapters later. By breaking up the sequence in this manner, the flow of the story was impaired and choppy. The author's sentence structure also tended to be loose and brief. Also this oversimplification made reading the story easier and faster, I did feel like the book was written for a younger audience.

Again, the subject matter was facsinating and the author obviously did a lot of work to uncover a wealth of information on the life of a relatively obscure racehorse. If you're interested in racing trivia, or are simply looking for a captivating sports story, then this book should cater to you!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Longest Shot. I found it at my local library but have since purchased a copy for my growing horse library. I've been a horse nut my whole life but had not been following racing too closely. However, reading this book rekindled my interest. The author weaves the story of the horse and his people. There was always someone who believed in the horse and his career continued. The trainer, Lynn Whiting, and the jockey, Pat Day are particularly interesting as they help this horse towards the top of the equine world. One does not have to be an expert in the racing world to enjoy the book, but at the same time it does not speak down to the reader. I have recommended the book to my family members who have accompanied me on my adventures to Kentucky to visit Lil E Tee. A very well written book which will bring tears to your eyes as you realize that the horse and his connections will actually WIN the Kentucky Derby. An excellent sports book. As well written as a John Feinstein book. Read it!

This book contains a lot of wit and wisdom gathered from a vast array of sources. Gambling pervades the economy of the American masculine soul, so we need to study it as art and as disease, and this book is a wonderful resources in that regard. Like the man said in the pool hall, take this book to Las Vegas along with "Das Kapital" and your lucky mojo charm.

"Eat your betting money, but don't bet your eating money," may be true for some, but betting $20 of your eating money on this book will get you food for thought. The book groups quotations in categories and starts each category with commentary by editor Paul Lyons. Quotations come from writers, gamblers, sages, and whatall from all over the world and throughout history. A sure bet if ever there was one.

I've always loved gambling, whether in a friendly poker game or I'll place a trifecta during lunch so after work I can see if I hit--there's a thrill in not knowing, having the possibility--I mean, maybe you won ten grand and you don't know it. I never thought much about that thrill, but when I saw this book on the shelf in Barnes & Noble and flipped it open I came across all these passages with people's insights on why and how people gamble. I never really thought of gambling in connection to belief or religion, but this book shows how gambling goes way back into the history of many cultures and how it appeals to that contest between human beings and their destinies. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand gambling better.

John Scarne is the master when it comes to all types of gambling. If you want to learn the best way of understanding what the true "odds" of the game are, read his books. He goes into detail about how people cheat at the games and what to do. His argument about different methods of play are very accurate in showing you how you will eventially lose. I have always played the game using the "true odds" and have managed to come out a winner. His presentation of using money management is very important and "MUST" be considered whenever you play. I would highly recommend this book to my friends.

If you want to know every thing about craps read this boo

This is a great book for knowing what is a good bet and what is not a good bet. For example, regarding the Crap Table, Scarne gives you the house percentage (P.C.)that is against you for every bet. He also gives you the odds for any type of roll or bet.

Buy the book if you like slot machines. In answer to Steve Clark from England who wrote, "Could anyone tell me who invented slot machines? I know this is not the way to go about it but I can' find out about it any where else!" I found an excerpt that answers your question: "Nickel in the slot" machines first appeared in the mid-1800s and awarded cigars and free drinks. The first coin-operated counter-wheel machine was patented in 1892 by Gustave Schultz of San Francisco. So there you have it Steve! (And we still got our Cable Cars, Golden Gate Bridge, and Hookers!)

Could anyone tell me who invented slot machines? I know this is not the way to go about it but I can' find out about it any where else!

A must have book for anyone interested in the entire history of Slot machine!

I can't believe that I finally a book that really says it like it is. Slot machines are a passion for me and I got all the books out there that tell me how to win. But Ian's book tells me how I am not winning. I got his book after hearing him interviewed on local radio station. I read the thing and I am amazed. I never knew how slots worked and now I know how. I used his hints just the other day and man it works! I didn't spend all my money and I did have a more happy time at the casino. Those other writers just promote fluff. Ian really does know what he is talking about. I know that this book will be a super best seller and too bad I can't give it 10 stars! Jeremy

.... Ian B. Williams is a former slot machine technician. This puts him into a very special place in knowing all about slot machines. He describes how slots are designed and programmed. Blew my mind! He explained all those things that I had known about slot as being garbage. Bravo, Ian, on a book well written. When is your next one out? Tbone

I am a counselor on gambling addiction and was shown a copy of this book at a recent conference. I was quite impressed with the information contained therein. Although Mr. Williams writes for the players of slot machines, his insite into slot machine addiction is true and parallels what we know to be statistically factual: that those whom are addicted to slot machines get there from believing in the wrong information put out in books and newspapers and, of course, on television. This book is the only one on slot machines so far to address this issue and we were so impressed by it that we are adding it as a reference guide to our training material. It is controversial and will definately raise some eyebrows. It may also help some addicts to get their disease under control. We feel it will. Jason

"Betting Thoroughbreds" is a good book. After you read it, you will be equipped with many "weapons" on horse racing. This books tells you that horse racing is more an art than purely mathematics. I highly recommend you to read this book.

This is one of the best handicapping books I have ever read and I have read just about every one...it's not full of get rich quick strategies...just solid handicapping education by someone who has the experience and it shows in the book. I'd recommend this one coupled with Tom Ainslie's book.

From Silky Sullivan to the making of speed figures, and on through "looking through the trainer's window," Steve-O's book has things to teach even when he isn't trying. But most of all, this book is sound on the fundamentals. Handicapping thoroughbreds, as a craft, contains elements of math, intuition, reason and insight all bound up in a chance proposition. Cut down the chance-factors, concentrate on what you understand, and you CAN do well. Davidowitz's book is the first step & easy to read on top of it all.

This book was exactly what I needed to round out my education on Greyhound racing. The first few chapters cover the basics -- how racing works, what to expect, and how the percentages pay. It is fairly elementary for someone who has been at the track a few times but there were a few lingering questions I had that this book answered.

The crux of the book is McBride's system for long-term profit making at the track. From his numbers, one would guess it would work. In short, his strategy is to take a months' races and categorize them. By doing an analysis on the post position, early leader, class changes, late speed and maneuvering ability, one can see which patterns becoming more distinct. Knowing that early speed racers, for instance, do well at a particular track would be a definite advantage. Each track has its own advantages and disadvantages.

I noted some of the mistakes that I was making and some of the knowledge I had picked up the hard way (by losing). However, McBride's system doesn't really appear to be for the casual gamer. It appears it would take at least an hour before a race to score a guide and just generating the 30 races worth of data could be time consuming (at least an hour or two an evening). The math behind the grading process is very simple and could easily be done by a computer program. Also, McBride's system is not for the "cheap" gambler. He advocates betting a 4 or 5 (around $12 - $24 a race) box trifecta for maximum winnings. His experience and samples indicate this is the highest pay off percentage.

This book is crafty and must be read with a clear head. I recommend it to anyone; gambler or not . I contains a slice of something about living in America. Rarely will we find these types of books in the future. I suggest sportsmen and sports-ladies take a copy and preserve it.

I read the Book by Mr. McBride and I must tell those out there who have the chance to get a hold of a copy of this fine book to do so. The book pretty much entails all the knowledge you need whether you are a novice, or an expert player or handicapper. If you have played the greyhounds for a long time, it will aid you in polishing up your skills in the racing game. Overall, this is an excellent book and value.

Dr Bentivegna has written an at-times hilarious and topical, but also frightening and compelling page-turner about greed, political shenanigans, medical malfeasance and the class system in "Lords of Greenwich." The book propels you into the byzantine political realities of Connecticut state politics, the gaming (jai-alai) industry, a fall from grace, and the consequences of greed, from the angle of a physician. A remarkable cast of characters are fleshed out, and at the same time, clever thoughts and ideas are scattered throughout the book to keep you laughing and guessing at how a down-on-his luck mechanic could win at gambling on games of jai-alai. The only thing that made this book not reach five stars was a less than credible resolution to the whole story, which required a fair amount of medical legerdemain to explicate to the non-subspecialist in corneal surgery the unbelievable (but almost possible) way the scam worked. Notwithstanding that, it was still a real good read.

The Lords of Greenwich is one of the best books that I have read in many years. It is an exciting, fast-paced novel that delves into the dark connections among the worlds of sports, politics, and medicine. Extremely well written, alternately gripping and hilarious. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

The Lords of Greenwich is a twofer - both a delightful political novel and a fascinating mystery. Despite the fact that the book is presented as a mystery, I found the political novel to be every bit as compelling as the mystery storyline.

Dr. Bentivegna's insider knowledge of electoral politics gives a realistic edge to his accounts of the behind-the-scenes machinations of campaign managers. (Warning for those who think politics is a noble endeavor: This novel is bound to depress you.) The tale of a gubernatorial election in its last weeks is compelling. The on-the-money characterizations of the people who interact within a campaign framework are by turns humorous and caustic, giving one the sense that they spring from reality.

Parallel to the political novel is a well-crafted mystery. How did the gambling scam work? Who killed the ring-leader, and how did he die? When would the world of politics intersect with the world of thuggery? All these questions keep the reader turning pages until the very end of an eminently satisfying first novel. Do it again, Doc!