The Mathematics of Games and Gambling

by Edward Packel

You can't lose with this MAA Book Prize winner if you want to see how mathematics can be used to analyze games of chance and skill. Roulette, craps, blackjack, backgammon, poker, bridge, lotteries and horse races are considered here in a way that reveals their mathematical aspects. The tools used include probability, expectation, and game theory. No prerequisites are needed beyond high school algebra. No book can guarantee good luck, but this book will show you what determines the best bet in a game of chance or the optimal strategy in a strategic game. Besides being an excellent supplement to a course on probability and good bed-side reading, this book's treatment of lotteries should save the reader some money.

Genres: Mathematics

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Camila Fonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book that clearly introduces mathematical concepts applied to games and gambling. Although it provides good examples and explanations, at times it can become dense and lacks a little more practical depth for those looking for applied strategies. Even so, it is a useful read for understanding the mathematical basis of gambling.

[Creighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the ending part about game theory for my senior undergrad project. That part was really solid and helped me with my paper a lot! I would probably enjoy the rest of the book as well even though it isn't all about game theory