The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic
2nd Edition
Published on 4. November 2009
Book
Hardback
456 pages
978-0-12-374940-6 (ISBN)
Description
Early in his rise to enlightenment, man invented a concept that has since been variously viewed as a vice, a crime, a business, a pleasure, a type of magic, a disease, a folly, a weakness, a form of sexual substitution, an expression of the human instinct. He invented gambling.
Recent advances in the field, particularly Parrondo's paradox, have triggered a surge of interest in the statistical and mathematical theory behind gambling. This interest was acknowledge in the motion picture, "21," inspired by the true story of the MIT students who mastered the art of card counting to reap millions from the Vegas casinos. Richard Epstein's classic book on gambling and its mathematical analysis covers the full range of games from penny matching to blackjack, from Tic-Tac-Toe to the stock market (including Edward Thorp's warrant-hedging analysis). He even considers whether statistical inference can shed light on the study of paranormal phenomena. Epstein is witty and insightful, a pleasure to dip into and read and rewarding to study. The book is written at a fairly sophisticated mathematical level; this is not "Gambling for Dummies" or "How To Beat The Odds Without Really Trying." A background in upper-level undergraduate mathematics is helpful for understanding this work.
Recent advances in the field, particularly Parrondo's paradox, have triggered a surge of interest in the statistical and mathematical theory behind gambling. This interest was acknowledge in the motion picture, "21," inspired by the true story of the MIT students who mastered the art of card counting to reap millions from the Vegas casinos. Richard Epstein's classic book on gambling and its mathematical analysis covers the full range of games from penny matching to blackjack, from Tic-Tac-Toe to the stock market (including Edward Thorp's warrant-hedging analysis). He even considers whether statistical inference can shed light on the study of paranormal phenomena. Epstein is witty and insightful, a pleasure to dip into and read and rewarding to study. The book is written at a fairly sophisticated mathematical level; this is not "Gambling for Dummies" or "How To Beat The Odds Without Really Trying." A background in upper-level undergraduate mathematics is helpful for understanding this work.
Reviews / Votes
REVIEW OF THE FIRST EDITION: "This classic book should be part of the library of everyone who wants to better understand games and gambling. The treatment is unique, original, and intriguing." --EDWARD O. THORPE, Author, Beat the DealerMore details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
San Diego
United States
Publishing group
Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Suitable for mathematicians with an interest in probability, statistics, or gambling and gamblers with an interest in theory and analysis
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
730 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-12-374940-6 (9780123749406)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Richard A. Epstein
The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic
Book
12/2012
2nd Edition
Academic Press
€38.37
Article exhausted; check different version
Additional editions
Richard A. Epstein
The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic
E-Book
09/2009
2nd Edition
Focal Press
€35.95
Available for download
Previous edition
Richard A. Epstein
The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic
Book
03/1995
Academic Press
€54.46
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Content
Preface to Revised EditionPreface to First Edition1. Kubeiagenesis2. Mathematical Preliminaries3. The Meaning of Probability4. The Calculus of Probability5. Statistics6. Game Theory7. Fundamental Principles of a Theory of Gambling8. Decision Making and Utility9. The Basic Theorem10. Coins, Wheels, and Oddments11. Biased Coins12. Statistical Properties of Coins13. Coin Matching14. Coin Games15. Diverse Recreations16. Casino Games17. Problems18. Coups and Games With Dice19. ABrief Chronicle20. Detection of Bias21. Probability Problems With Dice22. Formal Dice Games23. Casino Games24. Related Games25. Dice Divertissments26. The Play of the Cards27. Origins and Species28. Randomness and Shuffling29. Card Probabilities30. Simple Card Games31. Matching Problems32. Formal Card Games33. Casino Games34. Card Games With Skill35. Poker Problems36. Blackjack37. Memorabilia38. Rules39. Pertinent Mathematics40. Optimal Strategies41. Possible Improvements42. Blackjack Variations43. Contract Bridge44. The Family Tree45. Assumption46. Distributional Probabilities47. Residual Probabilities48. Evaluation Systems49. Bidding50. The Play51. Expectations52. Bridge-Playing Computers53. Bridge Mutants54. Weighted Statistical Logic and Statistical Games55. Strategic Selection56. Horse Racing57. TheStock Market58. War Games59. Games With Information Lag60. Hide-and-seek Game61. Dueling. Miscellaneous Statistical Games62. Inquizition63. Games of Pure Skill and Competitive Computers64. Games of Pure Skill65. Computer Programs for Board Games66. Two Board Problems67. Fallacies and Sophistries68. Psychology and Psilosophy69. Paranormal Phenomena70. EpilogueAppendix TablesAuthor IndexSubject Index