An excerpt from Larry Grossman's book You Can Bet On It!

All the gamblers I know who are remotely successful in Las Vegas are avid readers. This is no coincidence: one of the key aspects of gambling is an understanding of the game you are going to play or the sports event you’re going to wager on.

What is gambling, if not the exercise of making the correct bet at the right time? Of course, money management is also important and should always be considered in your betting equation. But where can you learn about gambling and money management without having your lessons cost you an arm and a leg? I’m about to tell you…

There’s a gem of a bookstore totally dedicated to the gambling enthusiast. Every title on its shelves is devoted to some aspect of gambling. Whether you’re a beginner or a world champion, they have a book for you.

The Gambler’s Book Club is a smorgasbord for your mind. Located at 360 South 11th Street near Downtown Las Vegas, it is one of the truly great specialty stores in the world. This year they are celebrating their 30th anniversary, a remarkable feat when you consider the average life span of most businesses. Obviously, they’re doing something right.

In addition to their walk-in trade, the Gambler’s Book has cultivated a mail order business that ships books, tapes and computer gaming software all over the world. You can obtain a free catalog by calling 1-800-634-6243. In the store, as in the catalog, you’ll find thousands of titles to choose from. They also feature a used book section in the store that offers substantial discounts to gamblers who want to save a few bucks for the tables.

The real star of the store comes in the human form of a character named Howard Shwartz. This man is a walking, talking computer! Formerly a member of the University of Northern Colorado Faculty, Schwartz’s understanding and memory are nothing short of amazing. He seems to have complete recall of his immense inventory, and is probably the foremost authority on gambling books and systems in the world.

Schwartz has been with the Gambler’s Book Club for over fifteen years. The honesty and competence he shows his customers is legendary. Howard doesn’t sell – he helps. Someone could get very rich if they could figure out a way to clone him.

When I used to visit Las Vegas (before I moved here), there were so many things to do, time flew by – it seemed as though, as soon as I arrived, it was time to pack up and leave. Before the time flies by for you, do yourself a favor and visit the Gambler’s Book Club. Believe me, it will be time well spent. After all, you are what you read.