Gambling 102: The Best Strategies for All Casino Games (Paperback)

~ Michael Shackleford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Plenty of gambling books explain how to play the games; that s Gambling 101. Gambling 102 takes you to the next stage, where you re playing the games in the best manner for the least amount of effort. Within these pages, gambling s Wizard of Odds provides the best strategies possible along with the easiest learning curve for all the casino games, from baccarat to video poker, from sic bo to sports betting.

About the Author

While working as an actuary for the Social Security Administration in the late '90s, Michael Shackleford compiled a list of the popular baby names to avoid choosing a trendy name for his own child. The baby names popularity lists took on a life of their own and since then have been published in dozens of newspapers, books, and magazines.

At about the same time Shackleford created the baby name list, he also introduced his popular gambling Web site, Wizardofodds.com. This, too, took on a life of its own. In 2000 Shackleford left his government job to devote full time to the Web site and a consulting business for the gambling industry.

Today he keeps busy with his web site analyzing new casino games for game inventors, designing slot machines, teaching a casino math class at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and serving as a consultant to land-based and Internet casinos around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 161 pages
• Publisher: Huntington Press (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929712072
• ISBN-13: 978-0929712079
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #279,613 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wizard provides mathematically-correct strategies, August 25, 2005

By	Michael Bluejay (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First a disclaimer: I work for the Wizard and I edited this book for him. That said, one reason I work for him in the first place is because I respect that he knows what he's talking about. He's the worldwide authority on gambling math, and his website WizardOfOdds.com is the definitive resource on proper gambling strategy.

Gambling 102 assumes the reader already knows how to play the games, which is why it's not called Gambling 101. In Gambling 102 the Wizard shares his strategies for a whole host of casino games, as well as for NFL sports betting, where some of the most interesting content is. There's also some info on slot machines you haven't read anywhere else, as well as rankings for hands in Texas Holdem poker.

Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it's written by an expert. There are so many gambling books out there written by hacks who are just guessing. Not this one, this is the real deal.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for All Gamblers of All Levels , November 13, 2005

By	Joseph H. Masterson (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book simply cuts to the chase with pertinent information on the various games of chance offered at the casinos. Yes, games of chance, that is what casino gambling is, and Shackleford points it out brilliantly. When my nieces and nephews turn 21, this book will be mandatory reading prior to their ever entering a casino! This book is also helpful for the advanced gambler. The insights and various charts aid to confirm/assist one in their playing the games of chance!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best gambling book. Peirod., December 26, 2007

By	Carnth (Covington, LA USA) - See all my reviews

Most of the gambling books out there try to sell you on the idea of "beating the house," "making money at the casino," or tell you "You can beat the odds."

This books doesn't do any of that (thank goodness!). In fact, this book doesn't even tell you how to play any of the games. It assumes you already know the basics, but want to take a deeper look at how the different games operates (hence the "Gambling 102" title).

Michael "The Wizard of Odds" Shackleford's "Gambling 102" dives right in with top-notch, in-depth mathematical analysis of each of the most popular table games played in casino. You get the straight facts on how much you can expect to loose (or win) when playing the different games, and making different bets. By taking a statistical look at all the various games and different bets in each game, Gambling 102 provides a wealth of figures that show exactly how big the "house edge" is. For instance, did you know the best bet in the casino is the "Odds" bet on the craps table? The worst bet is on the Big 6 money wheel.

Each game is has it own chapter and is broken do into individual bets. The blackjack section also includes a chart that tells you when to hit, stand, split and double down; so you will always make the best choice when at the table. Tips like these will help maximize your money while at the casino.

I enjoyed reading about the "house edge" on my favorite casino games, and will definitely adjust how I play the next time I go to a casino.