Lot's of advice and stories for people who are fascinated with gambling. From Nick the Greek to horseracing, here are stories and rumors that are sometimes funny and other times serious. A good read after a day at the tables or track. Great gambler's locations from Monte Carlo to Las Vegas and colorful stories from Mark Twain to computer technology that was available when book was written. A total of 50 essays and and anecdotes which can be read out of order at any time by the armchair gambler.

This would have been a lot better if it were more complete. It doesn't really cover 'The World'. It had 0 info on any casinoing in Japan or Thailand or any oriental nation. It also wasn't particularly in-depth on Europe. It also didn't cover Australia, but I admit I don't even know if there are really any casinos there :) However, for the areas it DID cover (USA, some European countries, and south of the USA) it did a very good job. Also has some info on gambling in Moscow which I think should be noted since most other books don't mention any specifics about that one. I'd recommend this for anyone traveling with the intent to gamble to one of the areas I listed.

As a financial analyst I bought this book to learn about the gambling (or investment) tactics of one of the greates gamblers(investors). There are huge similarities between gambling and investment and this book will give you insights into practial gambling (or financial trading) tactics. The book is well written and I guess also informative for the novice gambler about the importance of knowling probabilites and odds in various games. Enjoy your reading.

I first read this book when it appeared in '83 and I've given several copies to friends who wanted to demystify what goes on at the craps table. Entertaining stories mixed with expert advice backed up by calculations a math wiz could love!

This book is a gem of political writing. It is, of course, dated as it only covers the opening moves of the Reagan White House. Barrett gives the reader a series of journalistic snap shots of Reagan as his career brings him from Dixon to Hollywood and then moves him from Sacremento to Washington. Insights into his philosophy and style prove to have stood the test of time, at least so far. Equally important are the chapters which deal with the various members of the presidents team. The now famous Troika of Meese, Deaver and Baker shine througout the text. Less well known figures shed much light on the mood and form of the revolution as it begins to unfold. It documents well the crises and triumphs of Reagan's first term, which are often overshadowed in later works by great events such as the end of the Cold War and the Iran-Contra Scandal. This fair and balanced look at the early Reganaughts gives the reader a feeling of what it was like to be in Washington during those first heady days of the so called Reagan Revolution. When Reagan was not yet an 'ism, Reaganomics was on everyone's lips and few in the West had ever heard of the name Mikhail Gorbachev.

F.N. David explores early perception of and ideas about random variation, starting from games of chance and divination in antiquity. Her view on these is fascinating, as is her interpretation of early signs of the apparition of chance arithmetic in medieval literature. Then she recounts the controversies and the lives of the great scholars of the 16th and 17th centuries, and finally the origins of the first treatises on "problems of chance" between 1650 and about 1750 (ending with de Moivre). Furthermore, an interesting selection of (translated) source material is included in appendices.

F.N. David's book is written in an attractive, narrative style that seems a bit old-fashioned and opinionated at times but never monotonous. Her facts are well documented and her viewpoints are mostly well argued, yet she does not attempt an exhaustive or mathematical treatment. Therefore the book remains very readable and stimulating to the end.

At the end of the book, the idea of statistical inference has yet to emerge. The more monumental work of Stephen Stigler, "The History of Statistics", takes the story up more or less where F.N. David left it, around 1700.

This book is drawn from a series of newspaper columns, and is about as wide-ranging as a gambling book can get. There are basics on how to play the games, blackjack basic strategy, tips on playing the slots, and a fun look at tournament play, with the author actually playing in tournaments and reporting back on the experience and his results. There's also a tear-jerker of an interview with a recovered compulsive gambler. I've read several of this author's books, and they're all browsers' books. Flip open almost anywhere, and you'll find something of interest. They're all also really well written and fun to read.

If you're taking up Mah Jongg and are interested in learning the traditional Chinese version, you should enjoy this quirky and charming introduction to the game.

Written in the style of a textbook, the book contains exercises at the end of each chapter. As with any textbook, the exercises range from trivial to challenging, with a few that are downright silly. For example, the exercises at the end of the introductory chapter suggest that you talk to other Mah Jongg players about their happy experiences playing Mah Jongg. Happy, happy, happy is a theme taken to comic extremes throughout the book, which strives to present Mah Jongg as a simple and pleasant game.

It largely succeeds, but stumbles somewhat when it comes to scoring, because scoring in Mah Jongg isn't really straightforward. Many tables are provided, but I really didn't find them illuminating until I took out a paper and pencil and reproduced them myself. Also, the book's value as a reference would be greatly improved if it had an index!

The great strength of this book is that Li, a mathematician, offers logical explanations for the mechanics of the game. It's easier to remember rules when they make sense! I also liked the explanations of the symbolism of the game and the section on etiquette. These lend an air of authenticity and enhance the mystique of the game. It's the balance between logic, tradition and playfulness that makes "Happy Game of Mah Jong" a neat little book.

This is not a bad book at all.... if you want to learn how to play Pai Gow POKER. However, "Pai Gow" is NOT Pai Gow Poker, and if Pai Gow TILES (the real, original game) is what you're really looking for, you'll have to look elsewhere - such as the excellent book by Michael Musante. If you want to learn Pai Gow POKER, stick to the classic work by Stanford Wong - the only one you'll need.

Sorry but I dont understand how this book got such a high rating on Amazon.
It didnt offer much help to someone with a problem - I think the title is misleading.
I cant see the benefit of reading this book. Gamblers need direction and help, not just understanding.
Very disappointing.

John Eades has a unique perspective as a trained psychologist and addiction specialist who lost his own position and everything else to his own addiction. The story of his recovery will not only enrich the lives of all who read it, but could well lead to more recoveries.
As a practicing physician and a friend of Dr. Eades I have seen and felt his pain; and I have also seen the joy his recovery and his new career path have brought.
Heed his advice. You too can have a new life!

Donald M Philpott,MD