World's Greatest Gambling Systems and Information! NOW YOU CAN WIN & CASH IN!
Steve Venture
📚 Genre
Gambling Guide, Ephemera, Strategy & Self-Help
🏢 Publisher
Steve Venture (Self-published / Mail Order)
📅 Publication Year
Circa 1965–1975
🔢 ISBN
None (Pre-dates modern ISBN usage in niche publishing or privately published)
About This Book
A vintage mail-order catalog and instructional guide promising systems to win at various forms of gambling. The cover features bold, retro 'starburst' typography and small line-art illustrations depicting horse racing, bingo, card games, and slot machines. It claims to cover Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Keno, Dog Racing, and even Jai Alai.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
Approximately 16–48 pages (typical for mail-order 'get rich' pamphlets of this era)
Edition
Likely First and only edition, Mail Order Softcover Pamphlet
Series
Standalone publication
Target Audience
Adults, specifically gamblers and hobbyists looking for 'insider' systems
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The paper shows moderate yellowing/toning consistent with age (acidic paper stock). There is visible curling at the top and bottom edges, and minor creasing on the left side, but no major tears or stains are apparent.
Estimated Value
$40–$85 USD. Value is driven by the niche 'Gambling Ephemera' market and its connection to Las Vegas history rather than literary merit.
Rarity
Scarce. While not a 'fine' book, ephemeral items like this were often discarded. Finding a copy in intact condition is difficult because they were printed on cheap paper and meant to be utilitarian.
Historical Significance
Represents the 'Golden Age' of mail-order gambling systems that were heavily advertised in the back of pulp magazines and newspapers. It captures a specific era of Las Vegas culture before the corporate-ownership era took hold.
Collector Notes
Collectors of 'Vegasiana' or gambling history would find this highly desirable. To preserve it, store it in an acid-free archival sleeve to prevent further yellowing and brittle edges. Verify if all internal pages/order forms are present, as missing inserts significantly reduce value to collectors.
Similar Books
Beat the Dealer by Edward O. Thorp, Scarne's Complete Guide to Gambling by John Scarne, The Man with the $100,000 Breasts by Michael Konik
Notable Features
Features a specific vintage address in Phoenix, Arizona (4001 East Fanfol); uses iconic 1960s/70s marketing graphics; likely a 'lost' piece of Las Vegas/Desert Southwest gambling history.
Notes
Been in family for years Las Vegas natives.