Issue 114
November 18-24, 2002
Volume 3
page 3
 

Gambler's Digest - Fresh New Reference for List of Casinos,Tracks; Dice Regions Book Colorful
By Howard Schwartz

There are people in this country who just love to gamble and travel-They do it by RV, car, and plane, and often ask which state has what casinos, riverboats or tracks; what are their address; do they have web site, what games they offer; and often want to know room prices, type of entertainment or if an RV campground is on site. These people have specific needs and the fresher the information the better.

With a great sense of timing comes Gambler's Digest, edited by Dennis Thornton (312 pages, paperbound, $24.95), answering all those questions and the some. Thornton's book offers gambling advice-basics for the most part--introducing the newcomer to the differences between wagering in an Indian casino or on a riverboat before presenting Las Vegas, Atlantic City, the Internet (online) casinos and a handy little section on collecting chips and where to find out more about this intriguing, sometimes profitable hobby.

Beginning on page 90, he lists casinos from Arizona to West Virginia. On page 187 you'll find the Riverboat listings from Illinois to Washington. Racetracks begin on page 207-again, with location, phone numbers, addresses; the web site; what days they are closed (dark); if slot exist; with similar listings for greyhound tracks; Jai-Alai frontons (primarily in Florida); casino cruises (which are usually in international waters to remain legal). For those who just want to isolate their attention on a particular state, the book focuses on all alphabetical listings in each state with their web site, from Alabama to Wyoming.

Six pages list online casinos in alphabetical order, with phone numbers listed if known; with similar information available for online sportsbooks. A final section indicates what states have what type lotteries. but does not list how to contact anyone for further information.

This 2002 edition was published only a few months ago. It's an excellent time saver and resource to help you plan a vacation or ask for information.

Ricky Jay, one of the world's most respected close up magicians-he's also an actor (remember the famous poker "tells" scene in the great movie about conmen titled House of Games, where a water pistol turns out to be a vital prop?), has produced a labor of love for anyone who want to know more about the history of dice, their origins, how they're made, how they decay and how people have cheated with them since the ancient days.

The book, titled Dice, Deception, Fate and Rotten Luck (63 pages, hardbound, $12.95) describes how Jay, and a super photographer, Rosamond Purcell concentrate on celluloid dice (the first commercially manufactured plastic), which remain stable for decades, which eventually begin to crack, crystallize and implode.

Jay traces gambling with dice from its earliest days (when dice were called "astragali") and made from the heel bones of hoofed, four-legged animals, to their use in modern times. He reminds us the way

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these dice were shaved, misspotted and "loaded" by hustlers who truly found an edge.

Clearly this is not a book which describes how to win at craps or any dice game-it is for the historian, the true aficionado of information, often hard to obtain, about how dice and craps evolved throughout history to the game we know it today. It's a perfect mini-coffee-table-type gift item for unique individuals who enjoy unique books.

Any book reviewed here is available from Gambler's Book Shop, 630 South 11th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101, by using Master Card, VISA or Discover card (no American Express or CODs). Call 1-800-522-1777 from 9 to 5 Pacific time, Monday through Saturday or use the store's web site, www.gamblersbook.com, where you may also order or view 1,000 other books, videotapes and computer software in 30 different categories. The store was founded in 1964 and is located a mile from downtown Las Vegas, a block west of Maryland Parkway, just off Charleston Boulevard. If you'd like a hard copy of the store's 80-page catalog, ask by phone, mail or through the store's e-mail address.

River Palms Poker Classic
River Palms Hotel Casino, Laughlin, NV
November 14-22, 2002

Call 800-835-7904 for more information

$1 Million Slot Tournament
Paris Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Thru December 2002

Call 800-671-1111 for more information

Holiday Classics
Reno Hilton, Reno, NV
December 5-14 2002

Call 800-648-5080 for more information

Blackjack Attack Weekly Tournament
Isle of Capri Hotel Casino, Biloxi, MS
Fridays at noon
Registration: $10
$500 in cash prizes

Call 800-843-4753 for more information

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