It’s common for gambling themes to be present in literature, movies and TV series. But, believe it or not, casinos aren’t that uncommon in both fiction and non-fiction literature. There are books on slots, poker, blackjack, and even stories that take place in gambling establishments. Much like movies and TV shows, books about casinos can be very appealing for various reasons. Here we will talk about gambling literature and see why a lot of these books are worth reading.
Fictional Works Inspired by Casinos
Real-money online casinos are now more popular than ever, so more people find works of fiction that revolve around gambling relatable. There are over a million online casino fans in Canada alone, and thanks to a high number of operators they don’t even spend a fraction of their earnings on this hobby. You can find dozens of bonuses and quality gambling sites on https://realcasinoscanada.com and some of these promos don’t even require a deposit. So, it’s easy to squeeze out significant game time even from a few dollars.
There are dozens of fictional books or stories that revolve around gambling. Many of these have been adapted into movies:
- The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- God Doesn’t Shoot Craps by Danny Pelligrino
- Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
- The House Always Wins by Brian Rouff
Without getting into too much detail on each of these examples, it’s clear that gambling is compatible with pretty much any genre. Crime fiction, horror, action-thriller etc. What’s common for characters in gambling fiction is that they are either smart or reckless. They are risk-takers who wish to beat the system, but inevitably suffer some sort of retaliation.
Non-Fiction Books on Casino History and Culture
Some of the most popular books on the history of gambling are Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling by David G. Schwartz, and Slot Machines by Marshall Fey. Roll the Bones is particularly interesting as it examines the early roots of gambling, and how these prehistoric cultures repurposed the divination tools for the game of dice. It also illustrates how gambling has evolved in different civilizations at certain times in history, and how it has become the massive industry it is today.
Slot Machines Marshall Fey focuses on early and modern versions of slot machines. After all, these are the most profitable games in the modern gambling culture. So, it’s an interesting read to see how and why these machines changed throughout history.
Casino Strategy and Gambling Guides
When it comes to gambling guides their goal is to guide you to casino rewards. That being said, some of the guides even share methods of cheating and/or manipulating the game. Others focus on the math and strategy that helps you beat the casino at their own game. In fact, one of the top books in this category is called Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game. Here you can find all sorts of insights and tricks on how to be better at gambling. So, it a good read for anyone who is brand new to this hobby.
If you are a thrill-seeker who is a sleight-of-hand expert then check out Scarne’s New Complete Guide to Gambling. The author isn’t a gambler but a magician, so the book mainly shows you how to perform amazing card tricks. Finally, you can learn about mathematics and odds from Gambling 102 by M. Shackleford.
Biographies and Memoirs of Casino Personalities
Some tales can be truly thrilling and inspiring, especially if they are autobiographies. One such biography was adapted into a movie. Molly’s Game is a true story about a woman who ran an exclusive high-stakes gambling club for elite clients. It’s like a story about a rise and fall of an empire, and it’s filled with unique life lessons.
Impact and Influence of Casino Literature
It’s very clear that gambling culture has drastically changed. A century ago this activity was considered taboo in many cultures, which definitely isn’t the case today. In fact, many countries are legalising and regulating even online gambling businesses.
The literature uncovers how this form of entertainment has an almost mystical allure and that anyone can succumb to its temptation. It also allows readers to get to know gamblers more closely and breaks the stigma that surrounds the hobby.
As you can see gambling in literature is very present. There are works of fiction, autobiographies and even guides that help modern players. These books are often inspiring but ultimately cautionary tales. Regardless of how good you are, those who dance too close to the sun always get burned. Hopefully, you learned something new and you got interested in reading some of the books that were mentioned here.
