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Fictional Gambling Book Reviews

Introduction

Here’s my collection of reviews on various gambling literature. I trust these insights will inspire you to delve deeper into preparing for your casino experiences. If you're interested in purchasing any of these titles, simply click the link to be directed to their respective Amazon pages.

Books that I endorse carry a star next to them. I’ve also included links to books that I personally didn’t enjoy, aiming for fairness and transparency rather than promoting them.

Book Categories: Gambling in General Blackjack Other Games Fiction

Fictional Books about Gambling

Becoming Bobby by Michael Konik

In 'Becoming Bobby,' we follow a middle-aged individual who, feeling unfulfilled with both his job and marriage, makes the bold decision to abandon his old life. He adopts the persona of his charming and successful alter ego, Bobby, and sets off for a mysterious gambling haven in the desert. The journey is far from monotonous. More than just the storyline, Michael Konik’s writing style captivates, making the narrative a thrilling experience that’s hard to put down. He stands out as a remarkable author adept in both fiction and non-fiction, and this, his debut fictional work, showcases his versatility. However, it’s worth noting that the book contains strong language and mature themes. You might also want to listen to my interview with him. Michael Konik about the book.

God Doesn’t Shoot Craps by Richard Armstrong

Usually, it takes me quite a while to get through a novel, yet I finished this gripping story in just three days. It starts with a con artist sending out bulk mail promoting a useless betting system founded on Parrando’s Paradox, which I touch upon in my own discussions. To handle the inevitable complaints from disgruntled customers, he conducts a test in Atlantic City, which surprisingly performs well! Subsequently, he cancels the mail campaign and seeks to exploit the situation to his advantage. I found this read to be both enjoyable and mathematically sound. December 13, 2005 Ask the Wizard column The narrative follows Raven's transformation as he shifts from his Baptist beliefs to embrace the world of professional gambling. Initially, he begins as a card counter, but after outstaying his welcome in Las Vegas, he finds himself mingling with some questionable individuals involved in more perilous and illegal gambling ventures. The author, once a card counter himself, accurately captures the intricacies of card counting and related strategies, aligning with what I know. While the book kept me engaged, I was not satisfied with its conclusion.

The Counter by Kevin Blackwood

This 222-page story centers around Jimmy, a jaded bar owner in Las Vegas, and his struggle to keep his bar afloat. After experiencing a robbery and embezzlement from his accountant, Jimmy is faced with a daunting deadline to gather a significant sum or risk losing his bar to the IRS. As a last resort, he seeks help from the \"dice angel,\" who pledges to improve his luck at craps. The storytelling itself is the highlight; each scene is filled with humor as Jimmy navigates the absurdities of Las Vegas, keeping me entertained from start to finish.

Dice Angel by Brian Rouff

The book is narrated from Chris's perspective as he follows his new girlfriend’s path into the realm of professional video poker. If you're new to this game, you'll pick up plenty of knowledge along the journey. The occasional intimate scene adds a bit of spice without being overly graphic; the language is suggestive, resembling a light romance novel. While it may not be Hemingway, it's a delightful, easy read.

Sex, Lies, and Video Poker by Bob Dancer

I found the first book slightly superior to this sequel. In this installment, Chris resides in Las Vegas, welcoming new characters into his life. The video poker scenes primarily take place at the Palms casino.

More Sex, Lies, and Video Poker by Bob Dancer

This book contains mathematically valid strategies and insights for a variety of casino games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and many others.