For as long as there have been casino games, there have been gamblers looking for ways to boost their chances of winning. This has created a whole industry in its own right, and there are dozens of books out there that provide tips for improving your strategy in games like blackjack and video poker. Advances in technology over the past decade have also added a new level of complexity to slot games.
With the arrival of online casinos at the same time, there’s been an exponential rise in both the choices of games and the platforms on which they can be played. All those options mean a competitive marketplace, so utilizing free spins bonuses and other such promos is one great way to increase your odds of beating the slots. But also, more complexity means more player input, and there is more to today’s slot games than just spinning the reels and hoping for the best. Here are 10 books worth adding to your library if you want to find out more.
The Slot Machine Answer Book
John Grochowski’s classic takes a fun Q&A approach and when it was first published in 1999, it rapidly sold out. In 2005, Grochowski updated it to cover the newer generation of video slots. The focus is inevitably on land-based rather than online games, but its comprehensive coverage of topics like variance and the house edge mean it is still essential reading for slots fans.
Break the One-Armed Bandits
Frank Scoblete is one of the biggest authorities in the world of slot games. This book provides a fascinating study of the history of slot games in the 20th century and then dives into practical advice on bankroll management, tournament play and lots more.
Powerful Profits from Video Slots
The arrival of video slots in the 1970s heralded the transition of this sort of gaming into the digital age. This book by Victor Royer gives insights into the most popular video slots of all time, including Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with valuable strategy tips that any player can put into use.
How to Win Millions Playing Slot Machines! … Or Lose Trying
Author Frank Legato has more than 20 years’ experience when it comes to doing battle with the slots, and he has gained his expertise the hard way. This book makes a wildly entertaining read as he gives his personal perspective on what it takes to beat the house. As well as countless entertaining anecdotes, there’s useful information on the mathematics behind slot games, as well as some eye-opening revelations about common casino myths.
Easy Casino Gambling Ebook
Gayle Mitchell is probably the foremost female expert in what is still a male-dominated industry. She has published a wealth of online gambling guides, but this 195-page volume brings it all together. As well as slot games, she also guides the reader though the mysteries of other casino classics like video poker, blackjack and even bingo.
Reel History
If you want a comprehensive guide on the history of slot games, David Mead’s lovingly created resource is encyclopedic in nature and something you will turn to again and again. It provides a unique photographic history of slot machines from across the years, accompanied by comprehensive technical data.
Slots Operations: The Math & the Myth
Some might argue that the only guaranteed way to make money from slot games is to be the person who empties the machines at the end of the working day. Rich Lehman’s book is the definitive guide for anyone who wants to run a successful business in the slot games industry. He covers everything from regulation to staffing to business development.
Robbing the One-Armed Bandits
If you followed the advice set out in Rich Lehman’s book, Charles Lund would be the sort of customer your door staff would want to keep outside. He is surely the world’s greatest authority on how to game the system and get an almost guaranteed pay out from certain slot games. This book shares his deepest darkest secrets and covers more than 50 different slot machines.
Slot Machines: America’s Favorite Gaming Device
Marshall Fey is the grandson of Charles Fey, the man who invented the first ever slot game. He provides a unique perspective on the history of slots, and his book conveys the excitement and drama of those early years, as well as introducing us to other inventors and manufacturers who helped to shape the industry we see today.
Slot Machine Buyer’s Handbook
Those earliest machines are now worth tens of thousands of dollars, and the intervening years have seen numerous subsequent generations of slot machines come and go. David Saul is one of America’s most knowledgeable collectors and his handbook is essential reading for anyone looking to buy a retro one-armed bandit.
Smarter Bet Guide to Slots and Video Poker
Finally, if you only buy one book about slots, this pocket edition by Basil Nestor is one that you can take anywhere. It packs in a wealth of information in reference format, including payback charts, poker strategy tables and more – don’t hit the Vegas strip without it!
