Gambling for Dummies

by Harroch, Richard D.; Krieger, Lou; Reber, Arthur S.

• ISBN13: 9780764553608
• ISBN10: 0764553607
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Gambling has been around since the dawn of civilization, and its evidence can be found in practically all societies throughout history. Today, millions of people around the world enjoy gambling-and so can you! You can sit down in a casino and play blackjack or just walk to the corner store and buy a lottery ticket. If you love winning and you're feeling lucky, this is your chance to become a real "player." Whether you're new to the world of gambling or want to improve your already formidable skills, Gambling for Dummies can show you how to make the right bets in any almost any situation. It doesn't matter if you like to play in casinos or prefer to play the horses, this book has everything you need to beat the odds. Gambling for Dummies covers virtually every aspect of this vast and wondrous enterprise. It explains the basic rules of many of the popular casino games, offers a sound strategic approach to gambling in general, and provides an overview of the odds you need to know to make informed decisions about the kinds of wagers to make. From playing poker, the lottery, and casino games such as blackjack and craps to horse racing and Internet gambling, this essential reference is your key to lady luck. You'll also discover how to: Play poker, roulette, baccarat, keno, and other casino games Bet on football, basketball, and baseball Developing winning strategies Earn "comps" at casinos Minimize losses and maximize winnings Stretch your bankroll Deal with the way state and federal governments view the tax status of gamblers and gambling winnings Gamble on the Internet Filled with gambling secrets and informative tips, this handy guide will help you play your way to the top.

Author Biography

Richard Harroch, a lawyer and avid poker player, and Lou Krieger, a columnist for Card Player Magazine, are co-authors of Poker For Dummies. Arthur Reber is author of The New Gambler's Bible.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
Part I: Learning the Basics and Doing the Math	9	(26)
Understanding Basic Gambling Principles	11	(10)
Luck, Odds, and Probabilities: You Gotta Know This Stuff	21	(14)
Part II: Games You Can Win	35	(108)
Playing Poker in a Casino	37	(20)
Video Poker: The Oddball Offspring of the Slot Machine and Poker	57	(20)
Blackjack: The ``21 Club''	77	(22)
Sports Betting: Toeing the Line	99	(24)
Horse Racing: Handicapping the Thoroughbreds	123	(20)
Part III: Games You Can't Beat	143	(102)
Slot Machines: Looking for Magic Bullets	145	(14)
Craps: Lucky 7 or Unlucky 7	159	(18)
Roulette: Spinning the Wheel	177	(14)
Baccarat: Nine Tonight	191	(12)
Keno	203	(14)
Lotteries: Popular and Big Business	217	(6)
All Those ``Other'' Casino Games	223	(22)
Part IV: A Gambler's Guide to Gaming	245	(58)
Internet Gambling: Uncharted Therritory in the Virtual Beyond	247	(14)
Just Winging It: Comps	261	(14)
Gambling and the Law: Jailbirds Can't Fly	275	(10)
Gambling and the IRS: Telling Uncle Sam	285	(18)
Part V: The Part of Tens	303	(16)
The Ten Best Bets in a Casino	305	(4)
Ten Bad Bets in the Casino	309	(4)
Ten Things You Can Do Besides Gamble in Gaming Destinations	313	(6)
Index	319