How to gamble at the casinos without getting plucked like a chicken [Paperback]

James Harrison Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2004

How To Gamble At The Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like A Chicken, gives expert advice on Casino Gambling in a light-hearted manner. It advises readers on which games give them the best possibilities and how to play them correctly.

It covers all major casino games: Blackjack, Video Poker, Craps, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Slot Machines, Keno, Big Six Wheel, Roulette, Sports Book, Caribbean Stud Poker, Three Card Poker, Let it Ride, War and miscellaneous promotional games. It contains explanations of mathematical percentages, Gambler's Ruin, Money Management and Gambling Systems.

Not only does this book give clear, concise advice on the best games to play and how to play them, it unequivocally points out which games should be avoided so you don't get plucked like a chicken.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

How To Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like a Chicken not only provides expert advice on the correct way to play the popular casino games, but is unique in its honest and realistic assessment of games in which you have no realistic chance of winning.

The combination of practical, honest information and humor makes this book the first of its kind. The author does not pretend that there is actually a proper strategy where one does not exist (e.g. with slot machines), but instead focuses on how to wring the best odds out of the best games. Thanks to the easy-going manner and light-hearted attitude, the reader will not only learn the expert way to play each game, but will enjoy learning while being entertained. Explanations of gambling systems, money management and gambler's ruin are included along with a discussion of the value of Comps.

Casino Gambling is treated as the kind of Entertainment Activity, or hobby, it actually is for the vast majority of those who frequent casinos. Since 25% of the entire adult population of the United States visited a casino at least once last year and since television and media coverage has become standard fare, a good working knowledge of the various games, which are playable and which are sucker games, is essential information for the informed consumer. In this regard, How To Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like a Chicken hits the Jackpot.

About the Author

Dr. Ford retired from a career in commercializing emerging technologies and moved to Las Vegas, in his words: "to be close to my money." With a Ph.D. in Thermodynamics and degrees in Engineering and Materials Science, he taught Computer Programming for Engineers and worked in research and development throughout the United States. During his professional career, he developed an avid interest in the mathematics of gambling. Applying his considerable skills to the subject of casino gambling made him a respected player in short order.

When his health deteriorated dramatically, he was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center, where he underwent a double lung transplant. While he was recuperating, he wrote How to Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like a Chicken. Although he continues to have a strong interest in casino gambling, out of respect for his new lease on life, he now tries to limit his exposure to crowds and smoky environments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: El Paso Norte Press (August 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976072602
• ISBN-13: 978-0976072607
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,039,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book: accurate, honest and funny!!!!!, November 5, 2004

By 

Richard York - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to gamble at the casinos without getting plucked like a chicken (Paperback)

How to Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked like a Chicken is really a great book. It is so frank and honest that at times it is startling. In several places, like in the section about Gambler's Ruin, it is like someone just turned on the light. It becomes absolutely clear why some people win and most people don't. Although the book provides some really basic information, it doesn't talk down to the reader. It reads like a letter from a friend.

The book is worth the price just for the video poker cheat sheets. These tables give you the best play combinations for twelve different video poker games. These would cost more than the book if you bought them separately. For each game, they answer questions like: Should I hold the pair or go for the flush?

At first, the section on Blackjack seems incomplete. It doesn't go into the deep intricacies of card counting, like varying your play as a function of the card count. However, when you think about it, the book gives you enough information for you to be successful without making you work harder than it is worth. Since varying your bet is worth twice as much as varying your play, you really only have to learn one set of best play rules. The book provides you a realistic sense of perspective. It's like that for all the casino games. It tells you what is really important and what isn't.

Even the humor is instructive. On your first reading, it catches you off-guard and always makes or emphasizes a point that is worth remembering. Beyond that, the entire tone of the book makes it clear that gambling is supposed to be fun. You don't have to be a robot to be an expert gambler. It is ok to enjoy yourself and be yourself in a casino. After reading this book, you will know enough to be able to relax and have a good time while trying to do to the casinos what they are trying to do to you.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, March 9, 2006

By 

Michael F. McPartlan (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to gamble at the casinos without getting plucked like a chicken (Paperback)

"How to Gamble in a Casino..." is an excellent, well-written book. Unlike most casino gambling guides, this one does not promise victory at games such as craps, baccarat, and blackjack (without counting cards) like many other books do. Ford splits the universe of casino games into the good, the bad, and the ugly. The only good games are blackjack and video poker. Ford has a simple basic strategy chart and a nice introduction to card counting. He also tells the reader which video poker machines pay more than 100% and has strategy tables for those. The bad games are craps and baccarat. These are games that cannot be beaten, but if bet properly, the house's edge is minimized. The ugly games are roulette (with its greater than 5% advantage for the house on all bets), and many of the newer, faddish games like Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, and even War.
This book is for someone who wants to go to the casino and basically buy entertainment. Ford tells you how to have a good time without losing your shirt.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Really Should Read This Book, May 23, 2006

By 

Dan Harvey - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to gamble at the casinos without getting plucked like a chicken (Paperback)

If you are only going to read one book on gambling, this is the one you should read. It covers just about every casino game of any consequence and gives you the essential information about each game with a minimum of blather.

This book doesn't promise to make you rich, but it sure can keep you from looking like an idiot. The best part is that it is a pleasant read. It makes the details easy enough to understand so that you can become a competent gambler without having to have a PhD in mathematics.

Even if you don't go to casinos to gamble, this book explains the factors that make it possible to win more often than you lose - for all kinds of games. That's why you really should read this book.