Unveiling the Top 5 Books on Gambling

The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky

As we said, in this article, we won’t be focusing solely on the non-fiction side. Fiction can teach us a lot about the human experience and condition. Perhaps no other writer throughout history has managed to capture the cynical and the dark side of the human spirit as accurately as Fyodor Dostoevsky. The Russian novelist wrote dark, existentialist works, but always with a strong moral message behind them. Such a novel is his 1866 short, pseudo-biographical novel, The Gambler.

The first reason we are recommending The Gambler has to do with its length. Coming in at less than 200 pages, most readers will be able to complete the work in under a week. Particularly fast readers will only take a day or so to finish it. The other reason for why we are recommending this work, is because it delves deep into the psychology of a man who becomes enamored by roulette. Here, Dostoevsky injects a bit of himself in the work, as he too was a great fan of the red and black wheel.

The novel focuses on a tutor, who comes under the employ of a Russian military officer. The young man lives in a German hotel, and one day finds himself attracted to the casino floor, where he comes upon roulette. Even today, many gambling fans argue about the various roulette guides online, and debate whether the game requires luck or strategy to win. Believe it or not, during Dostoevsky’s time, that debate was quite prominent as well.

As the book goes, the protagonist finds himself at the roulette table much more frequently. He notices that he has less money to spend, and he also finds that when he isn’t playing roulette, he is thinking about playing roulette. In other words, the book is not just about the alluring power of the casino, but also about the human psyche’s vulnerability. A powerful statement about responsible gambling and combatting addiction, we recommend that everyone who is new to gambling give this book a read, and learn how to avoid the mistakes that the protagonist makes.

Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich

From the late 1970s to the early 2000s, a group of MIT students and alumni got together and devised a, seemingly, unbeatable strategy. The idea was to take on casinos throughout the country, and “bring down the house.” After the group’s work became known, they came to be known as the MIT Blackjack Team. Their accomplishments have become the stuff of legend in modern pop culture, and their experiences have been immortalized in a book by one of the team’s members.

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions is a New York Times best-selling book, written by Ben Mezrich, a member of the actual team, who joined after the team had been established. In his book, Mezrich details the different ways in which the blackjack team managed to outwit casinos throughout the United States. The book has had major success, and was even adapted into a film, titled simply “21.”

Though, Bringing Down the House is considered and marketed as a “non-fiction” book, a lot of controversy has arisen surrounding it. Participants in the MIT Blackjack Operation have complained about their depiction, and many have pointed out historical inaccuracies. However, as we said, the delineation between fiction and non-fiction is irrelevant to this article. That being said, we would recommend reading this book with a grain of salt, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Smart Money by Michael Konik

Michael Konik is a multi-talented guy. He has written several books, appeared on various TV programs, performed some hilarious stand-up comedy, and has even participated in several blackjack and poker tournaments. Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about gambling. However, with his 2006 work, The Smart Money, he proved that he also has an expert familiarity with sports betting.

Often, non-fiction has an unfairly earned reputation as being stuffy, unengaging, and quite frankly boring. Michael Konik proves that reading about real people and events can be just as thrilling as reading the latest work of fantasy, science fiction, or crime. Yet, by being entertaining, he never once sacrifices being informative. The Smart Money is an excellent work for those interested in the secretive world of professional sports gambling.

The book is framed as an interview with Rick “Big Daddy” Matthews, a prolific sports gambler, and leader of “The Brain Trust.” In dealing with Matthews, Konik came to realize that behind the charm and charisma, was a truly brilliant, yet conniving man who would do anything to get ahead in life. We would recommend the book, not just to those interested in sports gambling, but also those who just want a wild thrill ride, and a look into one of the America’s shadiest industries.

The Logic of Sports Betting by Ed Miller

For this final entry, we are looking at a book by Ed Miller, a contemporary writer and gambler, who has published several works on poker. Playing Poker, Poker’s 1%, How to Read Hands at No-Limit Hold ’em and Getting Started in Hold ‘em, are all works that every poker hopeful should read, at least once. They are perfect, entry-level works, especially for those who are getting tired of video poker games online, and want to move on to the real thing.

However, in 2019, Ed Miller took a step away from poker, and decided to tackle the world of sports betting. However, unlike Michael Konik’s work, The Logic of Sports Betting is not some grand exploration of a secret betting cabal. Rather, it is an excellent guide for people who want to learn a thing or two about sports gambling. If you read this book, you will learn how sportsbooks operate, and the logic behind betting on some of the most popular sports.

That being said, Ed Miller’s work does share something in common with Konik’s; it is quite funny. Miller’s humor elevates The Logic of Sports Betting from a stuffy and schoolwork-esque guide to sports betting, to an incredibly readable and fresh experience. Those who might be interested in the dark side of sports betting will certainly have a better time with Smart Money. But, for those who are interested in wagering on their favorite teams, The Logic of Sports Betting is certainly the best bet.

Conclusion

The books we’ve discussed in this article are certainly helpful when it comes to learning a bit more about gambling and betting. However, theory isn’t everything. At a certain point, you will need to get some practical skills. Luckily, the growing success of social casinos gives gamblers an excellent platform for honing their skills without risking any of their cash. For those not in the know, social casinos are websites that allow gamblers to try their hands at poker, blackjack, slots, and many of the classic casino games, without having to wager any money. So, while books are a great place to start learning more about gambling, we would also recommend trying to pick up some practical experience as well.