Casino Gambling the Smart Way.
Andrew N.S. Glazer. 1999, Career Press. 254p (paper)
ISBN 1-56414-416-X $14.99

Before I begin this review, you have to know that I owe Andy Glazer big. When I was casting about for someone to provide color commentary for ConJelCo's coverage at this year's World Series of Poker, Andy volunteered--even though we'd never done more than exchange a few e-mails in the past. The results were beyond my (or anyones) expectations. We received lots of kudos on his coverage. You can judge this for yourself at www.conjelco.com/wsop/.

Having said this, I want to remind you that when I started writing this column I promised you an objective view of whatever I chose to review. Hence, I was reluctant to even consider reviewing Andy's book. But, I realized, not reviewing the book would be unfair to Andy. So I decided to read the book, and only review it if I liked it. This of course has the problem that--if I always do this--I can't warn you away from a bad product. Luckily for all of us I have no problem writing a positive review on this book.

Casino Gambling the Smart Way is subtitled "How to Make More Money and have More Fun in Any Game you Choose". This may be an oversell. It probably should say "How to Make More Money (or Lose Less) and have More Fun in Any Game you Choose." In this it is distinct from most general interest gambling books on the market. The typical book falls into one of two categories: 1) you can beat any game by reading this book, and 2) you can beat the games with a positive expectation, but stay away from those evil negative expectation games. Andy's book takes a different approach. It suggests that you can play any game as long as you understand why you are playing it--and don't expect to win in the long term if the game has negative expectation.

The other way this book differs from most is that it has hardly anything to say about the mechanics or strategy of playing any casino game. There is an appendix with a basic strategy chart for blackjack, but that is as far as it goes towards being instructional for any particular game.

So, why should anyone want to read this book? Because it is entertainingly written (more literate than most of the genre), and contains excellent advice regarding gambling in general. In 42 brief chapters, Andy covers subjects like:

• How to prepare for a gambling trip before you leave home.
• Why gambling systems are not the road to riches.
• Understanding your motivations for gambling.
• The importance of being mentally alert while gambling.
• The importance of mental attitude.
• Why it is important to play in a location where you are not captive to a single casino.
• TANSTAAFL. (There ain't no such thing as a free lunch--Robert Heinlein).
• Picking your opponents.
• Cheating.

Plus lots of tips for how to play specific games, a list of the top 10 gambling mistakes, and even a gambling aptitude test that actually has academic roots.

This book isn't for everyone. The seasoned pro will get little out of it--though he will find it an enjoyable read. But for the tourist, or the more casual gambler, there are lots of pearls of wisdom.

(c) 1999, Charles B. Weinstock, All Rights Reserved.