Getting the Best of It [Paperback]

David Sklansky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Getting The Best of It is divided into six sections: Mathematics of Gambling, General Gambling Concepts, Sports and Horse Betting, Poker, Blackjack, and Other Casino Games. This book covers some of the most sophisticated gambling concepts ever put into print. It also includes a comprehensive discussion of the basic mathematics of gambling written in such a way that even the most non-mathematical of readers can understand it. Moreover, many of the ideas discussed are those that Sklansky himself has successfully used during his career.

This revised and expanded edition of Getting The Best of It includes fourteen additional chapters and covers such topics as expectation, combinations, Bayes’ Theorem, the eight mistakes in poker, checking in the dark, playing tight, the Key Card Concept, casinos and their mistakes, Crapless craps, betting sports, hedging and middling, knowing what’s important, the Law of Averages and other fallacies, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Sklansky is generally considered the number one authority on gambling in the world today. Besides his ten books on the subject, David also has produced two videos and numerous writings for various gaming publications. His occasional poker seminars always receive an enthusiastic reception, including those given at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

More recently, David has been doing consulting work for casinos, Internet gaming sites, and gaming device companies. He has recently invented several games, soon to appear in casinos.

David attributes his standing in the gambling community to three things:

1. The fact that he presents his ideas as simply as possible (sometimes with Mason Malmuth) even though these ideas frequently involve concepts that are deep, subtle, and not to be found elsewhere.

2. The fact that the things he says and writes can be counted on to be accurate.

3. The fact that to this day a large portion of his income is still derived from gambling (usually poker, but occasionally blackjack, sports betting, horses, video games, casino promotions, or casino tournaments).

Thus, those who depend on David’s advice know that he still depends on it himself.

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Two Plus Two Pub.; 2 edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880685043
• ISBN-13: 978-1880685044
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Sklansky is generally considered the number one authority on gambling in the world today. Besides his twelve books on the subject, David also has produced two videos and numerous writings for various gaming publications. His occasional poker seminars always receive an enthusiastic reception, including those given at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

More recently, David has been doing consulting work for casinos, Internet gaming sites, and gaming device companies. He has recently invented several games, soon to appear in casinos.

David attributes his standing in the gambling community to three facts:

1. The fact that he presents his ideas as simply as possible (sometimes with Mason Malmuth) even though these ideas frequently involve concepts that are deep, subtle, and not to be found elsewhere.

2. The fact that David s teachings have proven to be accurate.

3. The fact that to this day a large portion of his income is still derived from gambling (usually poker, but occasionally blackjack, sports betting, horses, video games, casino promotions, or casino tournaments).

Thus, those who depend on David s advice know that he still depends on it himself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good information, some of it needs to be updated., February 26, 2004

By 

Jake "jake" (Overland Park, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Getting the Best of It (Paperback)

This book is largely composed of old essays that David Sklansky wrote during the 70's and 80's. Although he knows he stuff inside and out, this book is really not as useful as it could be. A la Stanford Wong, Sklansky wastes many pages regaling the reader with his exploits winning money from defunct downtown Las Vegas casinos during the 1970's. While these stories are interesting, they are nothing more than entertainment. He wastes a chapter telling us about a 1980's craps offshoot called crapless craps which may have been of interest to others in 1985, but no one would care about today. He also offers up a chapter on counting cards at baccarat and at the end tells us that other gambling experts have researched this matter and that it is not really feasible. He offers two chapters about beating progressive slot machines and at the end states that unfortunately progressive slots are different now. His section on poker includes a reprint of 10 pages of his book Hold Em' Poker which to me is a waste of space.
On the positive side, the area of the book on probability is well done. His poker section has some interesting insights although the examples would be better if they were updated to show more hold em' examples and less draw and lowball examples. The sports betting section has some interesting insights but is a little short. The blackjack section I feel is a waste of space. A lot of the essays seem to show the mathematics behind basic strategy which is of interest only to those trying to recreate the wheel. All in all, considering the $30 price tag, this book should get an update which makes it more relevant to today and should excise the essays which are no longer pertinent. I'm not questioning Mr. Sklansky's expertise at gambling, but I do question why certain parts of the book are left verbatim after 20 years.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Futures and Commodities Trader gives it two thumbs up!, April 17, 2003

By 

Super Trader - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Getting the Best of It (Paperback)

Mr.Sklansky has written a phenomenal book. I am an 11 year veteran of the futures and commodities market. I have been a broker, investor, and I have written three books on the subject. Mr.Sklansky sheds that necessary light into the probability of gaming success. These thoughts are easily applied to my industry. Whether you are investing in commodity futures or options on commoditity futures, you have to be able to assses how successful the trade can possibly be and understand money management. This book covers it all.

Mr. Sklansky is a very astute gambling mathematician and he paints a broad swathe across the entire gaming industry and shows you what games can be worked and what games will work you. I would like to see him apply some of his knowledge to the investment arena and see what assessments he can come up with. I recommend all of my brokers read this book. For any gambler this book is a necessity for your success. Good luck and put this on your shelf.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent treatment of all games of chance, May 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting the Best of It (Paperback)

A visionary text exploring the mechanics and profitability of gambling. Essential for any serious gambler. Sklansky's prototype work on card-counting at baccarat was an invaluable research tool in the development of my own work on practical methods for money-making at the game. The one caveat I have is that the key-card concept may well be dangerous to players not already well versed in the theory of blackjack. John May, Author of "Baccarat for the clueless"