James Swain, an author with a gambling and I understand magic background has a series of books out worth a read if you like mystery/crime type fiction.
His main character in the book is a retired atlantic city cop named tony valentine who now contracts out to casinos to determine how they're being cheated.
Along the way you read about several different types of scams, swindles and hustles, some of which I knew and some which were new to me.
You can google search it but the books in order are: grift sense, funny money, sucker bet, loaded dice, blindmans bluff and blind mans poker (I believe that's in order) at any rate; the blindmans bluff and blind mans poker books feature a character in them nicknamed "the thin man" - a 70 year old professional poker player who loses his money and starts winning it back through a series of outlandish bets he makes with some of the other players. Its a good read, if you like to read. I'd call this character in the books a cross between titanic thompson and harry anderson.
Check it out I think if you're in this section of the Café you'd enjoy these books.
Best to all.
Serge

I have read all the books and enjoyed the greatly. I second the suggestion!

I got the impression that "the thin man" in the last two books was based on Amarilo Slim. I could be wrong though.

Does James Swain have any new books out?