Customer Reviews

Las Vegas Behind the Tables

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While I'll be the first to admit that this book has some entertaining content in the form or gaming anecdotes and Vegas trivia, I can honestly say it's biggest claim to fame is the HORRIBLE writing style!

I was absolutely floored by the unending samples poor grammar, unclear sentences, pointless or cliche references, obvious self-promotion (at least 4 chapters contain glowing character references for John Gollehon, who just happens to be the publisher of the book...), etc etc. I'm sure this book turned the stomach of any professional editor who happened to crack the cover.

After the first 25 pages, this book had reached "train wreck" status with me - I was compelled to keep reading not for the content but to see how much worse it could possibly get. If you enjoy such literary self-torture, read this book. Otherwise, skip it.

This is a great book about the behind the scenes operations of major casinos, even if it is about 15 years behind. Mr Vinson needs to write a follow up book.

Although written more than 10 years ago, this book still has a ton of usefull information. I met Mr. Vinson at Ceasers Palace about 5 years ago. He was giving free lessons on the basics of Craps. I had a chance to talk with him, and through our conversation relized he truly is part of the vanishing "Old Guard" of Las Vegas. His insights and stories are fasinating. If your headed, for Vegas for the first time take this book along. It's great fun to walk into a casino with your companions and start giving them the "insiders information". If your going back for more fun,this book is still a great help. Memorize his picture, I know you'll see him at Cearsers or some other major casino. I look forward to his new book and have pre-ordered it already. In the meantime get this book and have fun with the stories written by someone who "walks the walk" and "talks the talk".

This book (and its sequel)give a very interesting and humorous look at the machine that is a Las Vegas casino. The the stories are timeless, the facts and figures are out of date.

If you enjoy gambling, or if you simply like to learn about unique places, this book is a good investment. The author is a floor man at one of the major Vegas Strip casinos. He chocks the book full of personal experiences, interviews with many people from different parts of the gambling industry and a light, engaging sense of humor appearing throughout. I liked this book enough that I am going to buy and read the sequal, Las Vegas Behind the Tables, Part II.

This is a horrible book. It's very out date (was revised in the mid 80's) and a first grader could write a more interesting book. The stories are not that good and the data in the book is incorrect because of how old the book is.

Just outstanding! Although things in Vegas have changed significantly since then (book was written in early to mid-80's), the details and history are fascinating and the stories timeless. I have re-read the book many times as so many of the pieces are hilarious. Only Vegas could offer the setting for such crazy happenings, and all are believable within the veil of Vegas' history. This is NOT another book teaching you how to win or play the games..this is just a great informative timepiece which is highly enteratining reading, of which you won't be able to put down.

Many authors of gambling books essentially duplicate the same odds and strategies. Barney Vinson's book is almost unique in telling very interesting, inside stories of what really goes on in a casino. I could not put this book down until I read it cover to cover.

I've never been a fan of the first person narrative, which is used way too much in this book. Too many of the quotes are attributed to unnamed sources and take place in anonymous casinos, which doesn't lend much credibility to them. Most of the facts are outdated, but I gave the author a little leeway in this, as I looked at this book as an insight into Vegas in the late seventies to mid eighties. One note of interest is that for this book, Vinson is referred to as a Casino Executive, but in his later works, I have seen him referred to as a humorist, hmm ... Buyer Beware! I'd rather read Pete Earley's Super Casino a second time.

You first should read part 1 (behind the tables w/ green cover), then move on to this book. Between the two books you will receive solid information of what the "insides" of a casino is all about. Most importantly, HOW IT EFFECTS YOU!. Having been on "both sides" of the tables in a casino, these 2 books are real and truthful. If you read the books and then think about how it all works, you can gain and edge on your next trip!.