The history of casinos is long and rich. The very first casino, also referred to as a gambling house, was established in Italy in the 17th century. The aim was to provide a gambling environment that is controlled and by the 19th century, casinos started popping up all over Europe. Today, the casino industry is still thriving and you can find an endless list of luxurious and opulent casinos all over the world. However, with the advent of the internet, casinos have taken on a whole new form, and can now be played online from the comfort of one’s own home. Online casinos offer players a wide variety of games to choose from, as well as bonuses and other incentives. According to reviews provided by Manekineko Casino, there are plenty of excellent sites where people can play and enjoy various games. Whether you’re looking for big payouts or just want to have some fun, they’ve got you covered. Casino culture and books share a common similarity: Book worms are always looking for their next big read and casino-goers are always looking for their next big win. If you love both casinos and reading then keep reading because this article will explore 5 books that must be added to your booklist.
Titanic Thompson: The man who bets on everything- Kevin Cook
Titanic Thompson was nicknamed after the famous ship Titanic that sank during its first voyage and because Thompson was known to “sink anyone”, the nickname was fitting. This 2010 book detailed Titanic Thompson’s life all the way back to his upbringing and how he taught himself how to shuffle and count cards. He was considered a hustler because he would often bet on anything including golf and cards. This book touches on 1920’s and 1930’s history in America and things that were culturally popular in those days. This book covers the history of betting which makes it a great read for gamblers who love a book of historical nonfiction.
Roll The Bone: The history of gambling- David G Schwarz
Roll The Bone by author David G Schwarz, is a 2006 book about the origins of betting which takes us all the way to the Stone Age. The book also takes us to casino hub Las Vegas and sheds light on how gambling evolved from a back-door illegal activity into one of the most successful industries on the global market that provides entertainment to masses around the world. This book will also give you an insightful lesson on the history of casinos from the very first modern casino in Venice in the 1600’s to Asia where you will find a multibillion-dollar industry. Overall, readers can gain insight into ancient competitions and the history of placing bets.
The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book – Lance Humble
Blackjack is hands down one of the most popular casino games of all time. This game requires a level of skill to win and there are many strategies that you can adopt to increase your chances of beating the dealer and walking away a winner. This 1980 book by Lance Humble shares some helpful tips which include how to choose where to play as well as how to pick a dealer. You will also learn other helpful strategies like how to tell if other players are cheating. This book includes all the rules that apply in the US and abroad making it a great book for beginners who are interested in playing blackjack.
The Biggest Bluff – Maria Konnikova
The Biggest Bluff was released in 2020 and is a book that dissects the psyche of a gambler, focusing specifically on poker players. Maria Konnikova is not only an author but a psychologist who shares how she used psychology to describe and predict human behavior. She goes into deep detail about poker players and her understanding of them which she has first-hand experience of because she would often play live poker tables and have an advantage over her opponent. This book is basically her story of becoming one of the most feared women in poker and if you are a poker player, you might gain some great insight into your opponents.
A Man For All Markets – Edward O. Thorp
Published in 2017, this book is considered one of the greatest gambling books that tell the reader about a mathematician who taught himself how to count cards in the casino game, blackjack. He also taught himself how to stock patterns and gain a fortune, over $800 million to be exact. All from betting, trading, and gambling. He did this by studying patterns and mathematical constants. A truly inspiring book.
