Casinos are used as a setting in many novels because they are associated with glamour. They also serve to create suspense for the main characters, a formula that can capture the reader's interest. That's why it's worth talking about the most popular gambling books that take place in casinos.
Famous books about gambling
Casinos, in addition to gambling, also serve to create unforgettable novels with romantic moments, secret agents and even visions of the end of the world. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular places in modern literature. We offer you to review the top books about casinos and gambling that the whole world knows.
1. "The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky offers us a novel set in the resort town of Wiesbaden, and the main character, Alexei Ivanovich, has two passions: love and gambling, passions that the author himself shared. Alexei falls madly in love with Polina Alexandrovna, the daughter of a general, and offers to serve her in all her desires. Polina sends him to the city casino to bet on roulette on her behalf, and by a twist of fate he wins. The novel is about failed love, tension and, above all, drama that reflects life in the 19th century.
The gambler also talks about what casinos were like back then. It's worth remembering that this is a book published in 1867, but the differences between those casinos and their online versions go back much further. Now you can enjoy them from anywhere, just by having a device connected to the internet, without the spatial constraints of traditional casinos.
2. "Leaving Las Vegas" by John O'Brien
Leaving Las Vegas is a 1990 book about Ben Sanderson's journey to Las Vegas after losing his job and breaking up his marriage. Although it was a journey of self-destruction due to the misfortunes that befell him, Ben meets Sarah and they fall in love. An interesting novel that tells the story of a relationship without prejudice, the couple is not interested in each other's past. There is a famous film adaptation with Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue.
3. "Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming
Casino Royale is a 1953 roulette book that introduces James Bond, a legend who has been the subject of more books and dozens of films. The secret agent tracks down Le Chiffre, a villain with ties to Soviet criminals. James Bond arrives in a French village to confront his nemesis in an unexpected way - by playing casino games to provoke Le Chiffre into losing the criminal gang's money. In Casino Royale, we see Agent 007 exhibiting his signature style, which he would later inherit in the films.
4. "Apocalypse" by Stephen King
Stephen King published the novel "Apocalypse" in 1978. It tells the story of a very peculiar future: humanity is on the verge of extinction due to an artificially created disease. The city of Las Vegas is destroyed by an atomic bomb, but the remains of the casino serve as a meeting place for heroes who are trying to resist the forces of evil. We will find common dreams and, of course, terrible creatures.
5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
A must-read book for every sports betting fan is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo are the main characters in this book, which tells the story of a journalist who has to cover horse racing and other sports for the sports betting departments of the media outlet he works for.
This fictional story is based on real events, such as the world of gambling and the madness of excessive consumption in Sin City. Moreover, this book is very popular because it is based on autobiographical anecdotes of its author, who is known as one of the cursed American journalists and writers. After all, Thompson is known to have committed suicide, like other great icons of world literature.
The book is also very popular because it was made into a movie starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro. The film "Panic and Madness in Las Vegas" is as iconic in cinema as Thompson's story is in literature.
6. "The House Always Wins" by Brian Roof
Written by Brian Roof, this is one of the newest casino books. It is a romantic story about the life of a young reporter who has a job that doesn't make her happy. Then she falls in love with the bass player of a band and they move to Las Vegas. They buy a house but get into conflict with the owner of a casino in Sin City. Then she begins to realize all the elements that dominate the city she has just moved to.
7. "Fools Die" by Mario Puzzo
One of the classics of gambling literature is Mario Puzo. This novel was published in 1978 and describes places such as Las Vegas, Hollywood and New York, cities through which the main character of the book travels. During his journey, he meets Callie, a bankrupt gambler and professional conman, with whom he forms a friendship that is strengthened when they both witness the suicide of another gambler.
8. "Casino for Dummies" by Kevin Blackwood
After this selection, we can offer a more practical book for modern man. If with the first one you can enjoy a journey through time, then this book from the popular series “For Dummies, for Beginners”, which taught us from tai chi to playing the guitar, will introduce the reader to the world of casinos in a simple and understandable form, although at the moment it is only available in English.
9. "Casino Gambling Guide" by Andrew Brisman
The Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling is a collection for casino gambling enthusiasts. It is considered by many to be the best book on casino gambling, and although there is no evidence of this, it is understood that it was very well received at the time and that more than 20 years after its publication it still has a large following.
This is a particularly comprehensive book as it covers all casino games. Each chapter will take you through a specific type of game, from blackjack to roulette to slots, and will provide a detailed explanation of the game mechanics, rules and regulations, and even the odds of winning at each. There are also other chapters with general advice, particularly focused on money and chance management, which will undoubtedly come in handy.
10. "The Biggest Bluff" by Maria Konnikova
In 2020, Russian-American writer Maria Konnikova published the book “The Biggest Bluff.” Although at first glance it may seem that this book will describe the best cheating techniques and tricks, it is about the exact opposite - about how to learn to play poker by getting to know yourself better.
The first book about casinos
The Complete Gambler by Charles Cotton is the first book on gambling to be published. Its first edition was published anonymously in 1674 and later attributed to the English writer Charles Cotton. It is a classic compendium of gambling, originally written in English, and one of the earliest known.
The tips and rules illustrated in this comprehensive guide from the mid-17th century may not be very useful today, but it is a very interesting book for casino enthusiasts. Here you can learn about the intricacies of gambling games from almost 400 years ago (some of which are no longer played, some of which are still popular), get acquainted with the tips that were used at the time, and, without even expecting it, take a fascinating journey into the past as you delve into its pages.
Conclusion
Between the pages of each book, an infinite and unique universe is created. They can immerse the reader in a topic, help to delve into it, tell its story, or make you switch off and immerse yourself in someone else's adventure. Although this article presents the most interesting casino books, it is safe to say that Charles Bukowski's The Postman, Michael Shackleford's Gambling 102: The Best Strategies for All Casino Games, or Lance Humble's The World's Best Poker Book are also worth reading.
