Casinos have been popular among players for many years, from traditional to online and live casinos all offering a range of games including poker, blackjack, slots, and more. Casinos have long been fodder for writers and readers when looking for thrills and spills. They offer a captivating backdrop for intriguing and suspenseful tales.
They help reveal the complexities of human nature along with the ever-seductive world of gambling, especially the seedy underworld that lurks beneath. These writers have perfectly captured the dangers of conspiring against the house.
Here, we will provide readers with a selection of awe-inspiring books promising to keep readers in suspense as dreams are shattered, secrets are revealed, and fortunes are won and lost.
Dead Money by Dean Wesley Smith
Set in the heart of the casino capital of the world, Las Vegas, Dead Money by Dean Wesley Smith brings readers along for a bumpy ride in the world of card counting.
In this novel, a group of big-brained mathematicians’ journey to Nevada in hopes of exploiting the vulnerabilities of casinos. However, things spiral out of control.
It is a tale of betrayal, ruthlessness and even murder as our protagonists try to escape bloodthirsty casino security. A high-stakes poker game turned awry is a fascinating premise and Dean Wesley Smith delivers.
This fast-paced thriller will leave readers with their hearts in their mouths with.
Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich
This novel, though similar to the premise of our previous entry, is set apart in that it is based on a true story. Bringing Down The House follows six MIT students who knew the ins and ours of card counting and developed a sophisticated system to beat Las Vegas casinos.
However, in doing so they attracted the attention of the FBI who seek to put an end to their endeavours. What follows is a gripping game of cat and mouse as our heroes attempt to outwit the authorities.
They try to preserve their winning streak while staying out of the clutches of the authorities in Ben Mezrich’s epic thriller.
The House of Games by David Mamet
The first entry on this list to appear on the big screen, David Memet both wrote the screenplay and directed the movie. Both iterations were met with critical acclaim before it was adapted by Richard Bean.
The House Of Games follows psychiatrist Margaret Ford as she is drawn into a seedy, underground poker club by one of her patients who is trying to kick his addiction.
After being seduced by the charismatic hustler Mike, Ford is convinced she can work and play separate until she can’t. This is an explosive and mind bending psychological thriller with the manipulative and ruthless Mike keeping the reader guessing at every turn.
The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Whether you’re an avid bookworm or a more casual reader, you have likely heard of Fyodor Dostoevsky. One of the most famous novelists of all time, Dostoevsky provided one of his greatest works in this classic of Russian literature.
We follow Alexei Ivanovich, a young tutor in the employment of a formerly wealthy Russian general in the fictional gambling spa town of Roulettenberg. After placing a bet on request of the General’s stepdaughter Polina Alexandrovna, with whom he is in love with, he becomes hooked.
The story itself is a reflection of Dostoevsky’s own addiction and this intense classic is full of stories of love and loss on the backdrop of high-stakes gambling.
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
Any list detailing thrilling books would not be complete without a James Bond entry.
Ian Fleming’s first ever appearance of the legendary titular character shows that the British spy is sent to compete against and bankrupt Le Chiffre, the paymaster for a SMERSH-controlled trade union, in a risky baccarat game in France.
The wealthy German banker is funding a terrorist organization and Bond must use espionage along with advanced poker skills to outwit the antagonist.
Like every James Bond novel, there are plenty of twists and turns along the way and Fleming’s first publicised tail of espionage is truly one of the greatest.
The Player by Michael Tolkin
To round off the list we take a break from suspense and thrills in place of laughs. Robert Altman’s The Player is a comedic look at Hollywood and the world of gambling.
This story follows Griffin Mill, a studio executive who finds his career on the line after finding himself caught up in a web of deception and lies.
A high stakes poker game serves as an excellent allegory for Mill’s predicament in this laugh a minute novel that was adapted into a feature film starring Tim Robbins and directed by Robert Altman.
These books are a great read no matter what you are looking for, bending through multiple genres and incorporating many themes. From 19th century classics to modern gems, there is truly something for everyone here and the world of casino proves to be an enthralling backdrop throughout.
