6 Best Gambling Books to Read Online

Here’s a cheeky stat for you: the average UK player drops around £100 per month on gambling.

Now that I’ve got your attention, but if you’re still gonna put your cash on the line, why not do it smarter? That’s when the right gambling book comes in handy.

Not gonna lie, I also thought they’re dusty textbooks, back in the day, until I knew where to look. But you don’t have to. I hand-picked a list of the best gambling books you can read online if you wanna level up your game. No filler, just titles I’ve read myself.

Wanna get inside the mind of a card shark? Sharpen your strategy? Or maybe read something spicy between spins? Here’s your next read!

Top 6 Must-Read Gambling Books (Online)

Why these? Cuz this personal selection of gambling books perfectly blends informative guides with catchy narratives that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy!

#1 Kevin Blackwood’s Casino Gambling for Dummies (2006)

This one’s a solid starting point. Just don’t take it personally, I mean the title.

Casino Gambling for Dummies ain’t just another dry manual. It’s a hands-on guide with plenty of insider tips that will help you play smarter, not harder. Blackwood, an experienced blackjack player, teamed up with the sports betting expert Swain Scheps to debunk the casino floor secrets.

Whether you’re after poker, blackjack, slots, or roulette, trust me, they’ve got you covered. And I’m not talking some general info, but straight-up strategies and practical advice you can actually use.

Probably one of the first books I’ve read on gambling. Should you read it? Well, it’s obviously perfect for casino newbies, but also casual gamblers, and even budget players. You’ll like the straightforward strategies, money management tips, and game breakdowns.

#2 Edward O. Thorp’s Beat the Dealer (1962)

I know, it’s old. Trust me, this one’s old but gold. This ain’t just a guide, but a blueprint that literally changed blackjack.

Thorp is a math whizz and MIT brain who cracked the code on card counting and even proved that you can beat the house edge in blackjack. You can find all about his strategy in the book.

Spoiler alert: it’s a point system that gives you the edge. Believe it or not, but his system turned tables from Vegas to Monte Carlo. I mean, it was so groundbreaking that casinos even changed their rules after that.

If you’re into blackjack, just like me, this one is a must. A real masterclass with handy charts and cards to help you practice on the go.

#3 David Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker (1999)

A classic gambling book that gets to the core of poker strategy with useful insights that stay relevant even decades after it’s been published.

What is it actually about? The fundamental theory of poker – every time you play a different hand from how you would if you were able to see your opponents’ cards, you gain. Let that sink in.

That’s not all! Every time you play your hand the way you would if you were able to see your opponents’ cards, they lose. In a few words, strategic decision-making.

Sklansky goes on in his book, tackling topics like bluffing, pot odds, game theory, and everything in between. If you’re expecting specific tactics, you won’t find ‘em here, that I know for sure, but you’ll definitely get a general system of optimal decision making across various poker games.

Whether you’re a beginner, a poker fan (like me), or already a pro, this book absolutely has something to offer.

#4 Ben Mezrich’s Bringing Down the House (2002)

This gem hit the shelves over two decades ago and has been a must-read for anyone interested in the high-stakes world of gambling. I’m sure you’ve heard about it, or at least the 2008 movie “21”, inspired by the book.

It’s a real-life story of a group of MIT students who took Vegas for millions. How? Card counting.

The story goes like this: a bunch of brainy students, under the guidance of their math professor, came up with a card-counting system of winning at blackjack. It will literally keep you hooked, all that mix of intellect and strategy.

Won’t spoil this gambling book for you, but just know that it offers a really cool look into the world of professional gambling. It has it all – narrative, strategy, and entertainment.

#5 Maria Konnikova’s The Biggest Bluff (2020)

Something fresher, and a whole new perspective on the gambling industry.

If you love a good underdog story or are into poker and psychology, you’ll like this gambling book.

It shows Konnikova’s journey from a complete poker newbie to a pro. FYI, she has a PhD in psychology, so she explains the link between chance and skill in poker.

Mastering the game is one thing. But what she actually does is explain the process of understanding yourself and the role of luck. Psychological insights applied to the poker table, if you may.

For one, I found this book really intriguing. After all, there is psychology in all this and the way we behave when playing. Plus, this gambling book has a pretty engaging storytelling, so you won’t get bored by fancy terms.

#6 Jean Scott’s The Frugal Gambler (1998)

A retired teacher turned advantage player shares her insights on how to play without breaking the bank. Everything about her gambling book is how to stretch your bankroll and play the long game. Intrigued? Read on.

Scott herself is a low-stakes player and uses her personal expertise to show you how you can maximise your enjoyment and minimise losses, all explained in a relaxed and clear way. Effective bankroll management, understanding the basics of video poker and slot machines, using casino promos to the fullest, and so on.

It’s more of an accessible guide for old-school players who wanna have fun without significant risk. But I did find the discipline part quite intriguing, especially because of the approachable style and the easy way the author describes concepts.

There you go, my top picks for now. Already found a favourite?