The Gambler's Book Shop
Whenever I'm in Las Vegas I usually stop by the Gambler's Book Shop to pick up some reading material for the flight back home. They are located at 630 South 11th Street; about two miles from downtown and three miles from where "The Strip" begins. I am always impressed with their large selection of gambling related books and always find something new to read. My visits to the store were usually brief but during my last trip I was able to find out a little more about this interesting store.
I have been doing some research for some future articles about casino poker. I called the store and asked if they would be able to help me with some reference material. They told me they would be glad to help and invited me to stop by. I met with General Manager Peter Ruchman and Marketing Director Howard Schwartz. I found out that my request for their assistance was neither unique or out of the ordinary. In recent years the store has acted as a pre-production advisor to Hollywood movies, TV shows and documentaries about gambling. They shared a little history about the store.
The Gambler's Book Shop (or Club) is the world's oldest and largest shop devoted to gaming and all its related topics. John Luckman and his wife Edna opened the "Gambler's Book Club" in 1964. Luckman wanted to create a place where gamblers could gather, shop, visit and exchange and share ideas for ways to win at the casino or the track. John saw a need for accurate and honest information about gambling and wrote several 'primers' for the novice gambler. In 1968 John and Edna went into the publishing business. The Gambler's Book Club has published over 125 titles including the first books of several of toady's well-known authors.
John Luckman passed away in 1987. He was recently honored by being chosen for inclusion in the book, "The First 100, Portraits of the Men and Women Who Shaped Las Vegas" by A.D. Hopkins and K.J. Evans. Today his wife Edna along with Ruchman and Schwartz continue to preserve his legacy.
The Gambler's Book Shop has thousands of books covering over 30 different areas of gambling related subjects. Besides the usual topics that include all the casino games, sports betting and horse racing, you can find books about math, probabilities, biographies and novels. The store also carries tutorial video tapes and software. They have computer set up and will be happy to demonstrate the software before you purchase it so you can see if it will meet your needs.
All the staff at the shop is friendly and knowledgeable. In the tradition of the stores beginning you can feel comfortable stopping by to buy browse or just ask a question that may have been on your mind about any gambling topic. Their simple philosophy is summed up perfectly on their web site. It says, "We're not flashy. We run our business based on old fashioned values, and we truly hope you enjoy our company."
The store receives more than 100 new books every few months. If you are looking for a gambling book or related material you will more than likely find it at the Gambler's Book Shop. If you can't visit in person you can request a copy of their FREE 72-page 1999-2000 Catalog (CALL 1-800-522-1777 ) or shop online from their web site. They also offer a free monthly electronic newsletter.
With two generations of experience they are known all over the world as the most unique resource center, and major supplier of information for players, casinos, writers, and researchers.