1 comments about The Great Mahjong Book: History, Lore, and Play.

1. Written by globe-trotting mahjong enthusiast Jelte Rep, The Great Mahjong Book: History, Lore, and Play is a thorough guide to the history and play of mahjong world wide - illustrated throughout in full color, which is particularly helpful when it displays sample mahjong tile groups. The straightforward text covers both basic and advanced mahjong rules for gamers of all skill and experience levels, and an index allows for quick and easy reference. Anyone seeking to learn mahjong, improve their skills, or especially, play the game while visiting another nation, is enthusiastically recommended to immediately add a copy of The Great Mahjong Book to their personal library.

5 comments about Easy Dollars: At the Pick 3-Pick 4 Daily Lotto.

1. After reading the above book, it was a bit complicated for me understanding how to create numbers combinations and wheeling since I don't play the lotto. I feel this book is better suited for experienced lotto players and not someone who is just beginning.



2. The advice in this book depends heavily on tracking "hot" and "cold" numbers based on recent drawings. There is no attempt to explain why a number may be hot or cold, but we are told that a hot number is bound to appear again soon! There is little or no consideration of probibility, or the fact that declaring a number "hot" with a sample size of 20 (or fewer) random draws is simply unfounded nonsense. On top of this, the author advocates an arbitrary weighting system that gives numbers that appear in first position more significance than numbers that appear later. I can't see how this system is any better than fortune cookies or astrology. There is some coverage of wheels, but this subject is dealt with better elsewhere.
   
   From Page 71 "When a cold number is suddenly drawn as a pair, chances are good that the number will be drawn again soon, at least as a single."
   
   From Page 72: "Remember, the goal is to pick the three numbers that are on the verge of becoming hot. This is your secret to outperforming the average player, just as in the stock market."
   
   From Page 76: While discussing selecting between two "equally matched" numbers - "This is where you have to use your intuition. My gut feeling is to go with the number 1."
   
   This book boils down to wheeling 6 numbers in a pick-3 lottery. The rest is an exercise in magical thinking. I found very little useful information in this book. I did, however, enjoy a few laughs along the way.



3. From the preface:
   This book is not about wheeling systems.
   
   Chapter Three
   (Chapter title):
   
   Pick 3 Wheeling.
   
   That should tell you something.



4. One often assumes that lotteries are random drawings. This is correct, but what if there were a way to accuratly predict the winning numbers? I have had 3 straight hits using the book and many box hits. 2 of my straight hits were back 2 back. This is the best of 3 lotto books that I've purchased and I will continue to use it daily. This book in no way predicts winning numbers, but it helps you to decide what numbers are most likly to hit and which are not. Keep in mind that lotteries are still random and the balls can pop any way they want. So while this book my not be right for everyone it is right for me. If you play daily lotto games this is a good book to have on the shelf.



5. This book is what helps seperate a serious lotto player from a gambler. I was cautious at first but.......You must do your homework for this book to help, but if you do, and follow the instructions carefuly you will INCREASE your odds of WINNING dramiticaly. I have hit the pick three three 3 times and the pick four straight/box once for over $2000.00 within a month since using this book. The book also helped me develop my own techniques for picking pairs and number trends. I would recommend this book to any person who wants to play smarter and win.

5 comments about The Basics of Winning Lotto/Lottery (Basics of Winning).

1. Time and time again people play the lottery, but fall short
   because some do not use any methods, but just pick whatever number comes to mind. Winning is about luck, and strategies
   not just about picking whatever number.
   The book has several chapters that talk about the ways, the
   different ways one may improve on his game, Your lotto game.
   It does not matter what game it is: Powerball, Texas Lotto, The Virginia Lottery because the literature will help you with what you want, and that is strategies. All you have too do is read the book plain and simple; i believe it is a small book because another Version of this book came out and is a litte bigger,but the author is still Professor Jones.

   One method that will stick with you is the Frequency number theory. This Frequency theory talks about which number comes out the most in the lottery. The methods are simple to read, and are not time consuming as other books that offer strategies that you may think are good but are nothing but one thing: JUNK & PURE CONFUSION.
   [...] Book is recommended.




2. Time and time again people play the lottery, but fall short
   because some do not use any methods, but just pick whatever number comes to mind. Winning is about luck, and strategies
   not just about picking whatever number.
   The book has several chapters that talk about the ways, the
   different ways one may improve on his game, Your lotto game.
   It does not matter what game it is: Powerball, Texas Lotto, The Virginia Lottery because the literature will help you with what you want, and that is strategies. All you have too do is read the book plain and simple; i believe it is a small book because another Version of this book came out and is a litte bigger,but the author is still Professor Jones.

   One method that will stick with you is the Frequency number theory. This Frequency theory talks about which number comes out the most in the lottery. The methods are simple to read, and are not time consuming as other books that offer strategies that you may think are good but are nothing but one thing: JUNK & PURE CONFUSION.
   Regardless of what one or any one says, we all want too be one thing:...Millionaires, with hot cars, houses, and the opposite sex wanting...us.

   I also recommend lotto books on the Canadian Lottery, for more methods. But this book by Professor Jones is recommended. Mom and Pop or seven eleven store customer lotto players have more of a chance in winning with this book as compared to just throwing your money away...Best of luck to all Lotto players of all states. Book is recommended.




3. I did find some facets of the book very interesting such as conducting frequency analysis on numbers to see which ones show up most often and which numbers are overdue. The book does contradict itself, though, when it tells the reader not to indulge in Powerball because of the odds, yet the book dedicates several pages to playing Powerball. There are several examples of wheels in book that are interesting -- but in my own game playing style, I've made some modifications to these wheels to reduce redundancy. My advice to those that enjoy playing the lotto/lottery is: DEVELOP YOUR OWN PLAYING STYLE -- and work on developing your intuition, especially if you are a receptive to the concept. My gut feeling told me that the next round was going to draw low numbers and numbers that have shown up 4 and 5 times in the last year. So these were the type of numbers I wheeled. I didn't win but my numbers were very close to the winning numbers. I felt a sense of satisfaction because I improved my odds of winning, my decision making skills, and my ability to make an educated guess based on looking at the numbers rather than purely guessing. And these are just some of the reasons I play the lotto/lottery. The bottom line is this: KNOW YOURSELF AND KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. AND GO FOR IT WITH GUSTO! No matter what, you'll always come out a winner with that attitude.



4. This is an interesting book, and seems to make sense but doesn't really tell how to adapt the "wheeling" technique for five-wheel lottos. Acceptable value for the price.



5. It is easy to understand the analysis of numbers and position of numbers frequencies as reference for determining lotto numbers. I feel the combinations and wheeling systems are too complicated for beginning lotto players like myself.

5 comments about Lotto Winning Wheels For Powerball & Mega Millions, 2006 Edition.

1. I bought this book and sent it to my sister who lives in a Powerball state. She likes to pick her own "lucky" numbers, but I suggested that she use the numbers she gets intuitively, and add to it a good knowlege of Gail Howard's process of using "smart luck". My sister says that she feels better and stronger about her numbers, and has already had one small payout. I think that the more you study this book, the luckier you will get!



2. Winning is pure luck. There is no amount of strategy unless you are already rich. And believe it or not rich people play too. They can buy 100 tickets week. I cannot. But in reality it only takes ONE set of numbers to win anyway.
   
   Gail conviently leaves out this one very fact. 71% of winners are quick picks. The rest here and there over the years have been their own numbers. You cannot predict the powerball.
   
   The book has good ideas but how many people have won by using some kind of random system? I doubt any. It is all luck, pure and simple.



3. Amazon has in stock, ready to ship, the 2006, 2nd edition of the Powerball and Mega Millions book. To get the new edition for the 55 and 56-ball games, type the ISBN number: 0945760418 in the search bar and it will come right up.



4. it was and still has been very helpful to know how the system works and just using the book i have been hitting better than i did before



5. So wonderfuly wrapped up in Gail Howard's Lottery Master Guide that I did not even look at this one until 24 hours before the last mind blowing powerball. Then I discovered the fabulous, easy to follow instructions and steps I can take for very little money.
   I am dyslexic and was intially afraid of this because of the wheeled groups and number selection. I need not have been because it was easy and very satisfying-just did not have enough time to win this last Mega Millions. Sure, I went over it twice but most people wouldn't have to, my neighbor said it was so easy that she bought the same book. Lots of interesting points like five winning numbers, quick picks, number selection method, wheeled groups-all made simple through step by step instructions. Gail Howard has a way of explaining and laying out concepts that make it all very easy to understand. That is very rare in this genre of books and I have read through many of them-many seem to be directly copying her. She is the one who has been around the longest and she came up with the original wheeling systems-I found something she had written years before any of these other books were out. This really is the author to follow.
   Lots of suggestions of how to win with very little money(under twenty dollars-my current limit and some much, much lower). I love this! There are powerballs all over the world and throughout the US this applies to and I am going to make sure I get around to all of them. You can be sure I will be reading the rest of these books.

5 comments about Money for Nothing: One Man's Journey Through the Dark Side of Lottery Millions.

1. Money for Nothing: One Man's Journey Through the Dark Side of Lottery Millions--an intriguing title for an intriguing book just out by Edward Ugel. So you like to gamble? Maybe just buy lottery tickets? Reading this non-fiction, astonishing book may be the best thing you've ever done for yourself. Ugel tells all in his story about his years as both a gambler, and a salesman, and then as an employee of a company that offered upfront cash to lottery winners in exchange for their prize money.
   
   You've all seen the commercial for some company that offers cash that is due to you. All of the people cry out from wherever they are that it's their money and they want it now. If that company, called The Firm, in this book, is one that caters only to lottery winners, however, there are oftentimes millions of dollars involved--and even though the winner may have won big, they may be as poor as ever!
   
   One of the key issues is whether the particular lottery allows a lump sum as opposed to long-term payments. Selection of a lump sum has not always been available. Additionally, when you see the picture of the winner getting a large check with a large sum identified on it, the amount is always the amount before taxes!
   
   Horror story after horror story for lottery winners are shared in this book--all names changed, of course.
   
   Ugel has tried hard to write in an upbeat fashion in telling his story. His chapter titles are catchy. He ridicules some of his own actions and invites the reader to smile and commiserate with his choices. But he's not really telling about a fun-filled life. The book, in my opinion, is very much an expose' of this type of financial company, albeit though they are acting legally. Additionally, Ugel's epilogue, written in a time schedule/diary fashion reveals exactly what the addicted gambler goes through each time he gives in to this vice.
   
   Ugel has been a gambler since the age of 19, working at jobs to earn enough money so he could go gamble. When he was called to a bar by a friend, where a potential supervisor was drinking and smoking, Ugel thought he had finally found the place where he belonged. Indeed, while his boss was there at the The Firm with him, he quickly moved into big money and promotions, each time his boss moved up. But no matter how far up he went, he at last began to hate working with the man and quit, even though he was offered almost twice his present salary to stay. Ugel struggled through the following time, until he was called and asked to return. His former boss had quit and he was being offered his job. This had been what he had always wanted. He believed he could do the job and was soon back at The Firm.
   
   Ugel did all right until his former boss opened his own business as a major competitor and quickly started winning potential customers away from The Firm. Ugel was finally relieved to be fired, for even though he was a super salesman, he realized that he had treated his job, and allowed his subordinates to also treat their jobs, as if each "lead" was merely a "gamble" and since there was always the potential for high commissions without working too hard, he realized that though being a better "gambler" than his former boss, he was not even close to being the kind of manager that his boss had been. As he said, "a gambler is a gambler is a gambler" (p. 212). He and his staff were quite willing to gamble both with their own money...and with the lottery winners' money!
   
   Many of us have our own addictions. If gambling is yours...read this book! If gambling is not your particular vice, read it...and insert your own predilection. For underneath the humor, Ugel has written a story that just may help you rethink what you are doing, to yourself, to your family, and on your job! Thank you, Edward Ugel, for sharing your life in such an open way and making us realize that Money for Nothing may be more trouble than anyone could imagine!



2. if you like gambling or vegas, then you'll enjoy this reading. busting vegas by ben mezrich and jonny magic & the card shark kids by david kushner were better.



3. As a counselor for problem gamblers. This is a prime example of PT Barnums saying- there's a sucker born every minute and two to fleece him.
   Although in this case there is a firm to fleece them.
   
   This is a model for gamblers to understand then even when you win you loose. I found myself feeling ill at the duplicity that is used on gullible people- Yes they have to agree to it but like banks and the stockmarket that charge high rates and hidden fees, this book lets you know the hidden backstory of what happens when you win the lottery.
   
   The author illustrates well greed is not good!



4. A humorous, quick, and easy read. At times, Ugel comes off as an adolescent in his decisions and values, but he puts it all out there for us to see.



5. "Money for Nothing" is a superficial, less than credible account of a salesman's life selling "up front" money for lottery winners with multi-year payments. The book references winners' haste to settle (not even inquiring as to interest rates involved), misleading sales pitches that focus on what the winner needs (rather than deserves) to reduce the payout, sudden divorces made possible by the new wealth, etc.
   
   However, few specifics are offered, especially on the financial terms involved. Instead, "Money for Nothing" provides lots of filler - eg. life prior to this job, getting this job, history of state lotteries, etc.
   
   Bottom Line: Buying "Money for Nothing" would be paying money for nothing.

5 comments about Combinatorial Lottery Systems (Wheels) with Guaranteed Wins.

1. Hi, this is the first time I've ever felt compelled to write up anything I've purchased off of Amazon. This book is truely the "Real Deal". After reading through it and thoroughly understanding the concepts the Author spoke of, I then utilized it with the Texas Two Step game, although I didn't win the jackpot I won several boards and ended up making money on the deal. The book in my eyes paid for itself in one use plus some and this is NO B.S. I've never ever played the lottery that much and just recently started playing, I was never ever close to ever hitting anything worth while i.e. maybe a number or two or sometimes even three but that's it. This book approaches the lottery scientifically and really makes sense once you've grasped what the author is saying. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to win some money and in turn maybe even the jackpot.



2. This is by far the BEST "Wheeling" book I have read. An absolute MUST for SERIOUS lotto player. The "Mathematically Minimal" guarentee let you play for less! Here is an example:
   Gail Howard's System #513 (4if5of20) has a minimum purchase of 216 tickets, whereas Dr. Bluskov's 4if5of20 Abbreviated Wheel only requires 145 tickets to be purchased -- a reduction of 66 tickets for the same guarantee!!!
   If you are in to playing a POOL of numbers you need to get this book.
   
   
   ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I READ THE "ONLY NEGATIVE" REVIEW ABOUT THIS BOOK AND CLEARLY THE PERSON WHO WROTE IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY CLUE ABOUT WHEELS AND GUARENTEES.



3. a lot of system provided for me. I believe i can win with the system that i choose. thank you very much.



4. I don't know if I understand the whole thing, but I am keeping my fingers crossed!



5. Save your money. You have a better chace of winning by saving your money. This book is so hard to follow. It not worth you time.

5 comments about The Red Dragon & The West Wind: The Winning Guide to Official Chinese & American Mah-Jongg.

1. I have been playing Mah Jongg for many years but have never seen a complete set of rules and scoring. It was very interesting to see these details in the book I purchased and I would hope, eventually, to contact Tom Sloper and discuss the rules and scoring that I have been using as compared with those he published.
   Henry Munday.



2. Excellent, thorough explanation of both American and Chinese styles of play by today's top authority. A-plus for content. However, shame on Harper Collins for the cheap ground wood paper. This is a book I'll want to keep for years, but will the pages will be brittle and yellowed when I pull it off the shelf in a couple of years? This excellent book deserves a better, more durable package.



3. Tom Sloper is my inspiration for learning Mahjong. Three retired friends and I attempted to learn the game on our own. Without Tom's online assistance and encouragement, we would have tossed aside a great source of entertainment and mental stimulation. I recommend "The Red Dragon & The West Wind" to anyone with an interest in Mahjong and strongly recommend it to anyone just learning. Tom is able to introduce the game and explain the intricacies of both the American and Chinese Official versions in a manner understandable to both beginners and advanced users. Not yet sold? You'll miss out on Tom's delicious sense of humor. Buy this one!!



4. This book contains good information. It is not an easy read and think it could be hard for someone new to Mah Jongg to follow. I recently read "The Beginners Guide to American Maj Jongg" and found it much easier to follow. The illustrations in the guide were easier to follow and I liked the author's suggestions for review of each chapter with questions and suggested practice much more useful. I would have liked both books to spend a little more time on strategies for winning. I think both books provide essentially the same information on American Maj Jongg, but if I were to just buy one I would buy "The Beginners Guide to American Maj Jongg". You can see my review under the other book, too. To be fair I was not interested in the Chinese version of Maj Jong and did not read that portion of "Red Dragon", which might be a reason someone else would prefer it.



5. I bought this book after purchasing a Mah Jongg set with a very slim rule manual. Mah Jongg is a very complex game, but after thoroughly reading through Tom Sloper's book I feel ready and excited to begin playing. This book is well laid out, with in-depth instructions as well as a section with brief descriptions to be used to quickly look up a rule while playing. It's obvious that he is an expert in Mah Jongg, fortunately for us novices he also possesses the rare talent to be able to break instructions down in a way that a novice can understand and retain.

5 comments about A Mah Jong Handbook: How to Play, Score, and Win.

1. The Mah Jong Handbook presents an amazingly clear method for approaching the game. The book is easy-to-read, but deals with every aspect of the game in detail.

   To get the most out of the book, I recommend taking the time to work through the example exercises yourself (before going on to the analysis discussion.) Once you've gone through the book this way, you'll pretty much know everything that an expert player knows. The only thing left is to get in enough playing time to put the theory into practice.

   In addition to the game aspects, the book discusses the accompanying rituals and etiquette, as well as many variations on the rules.




2. A good introduction to the game for beginners, with strategy advice that will be useful to more experienced players as well.
   
   Whitney explains clearly and concisely, using easy to understand diagrams. She even manages to explain Mah Jong's rather complex scoring system, which can be a bit off-putting for beginners.
   
   Her inclusion of the differences between Japanese and American rules is also quite helpful, although I've found that as with any game, some of the rules and terminology vary from region to region.
   
   All in all a good book for those looking to begin playing Mah Jong, particularly those in Japan or with Japanese friends.



3. Well writen and easy to understand. Particularly for a novice at Mah-Jongg.



4. This book covers all the questions anybody would have about this complex game. I've searched all over the internet for answers but most rules and gameplay written on line seemed like poorly translated rules from Chinese or whatever with many mysteries left unturned. This book is great and with minimal reading gets you playing in no time.



5. I am not a Mahjong playe. My wife is. I wanted her to have a reference book on American version. I thought this would be good. Little information available on books contents and objectives except the usual hype about how we cannot get along without it. The book was very difficult to figure out. I still don't know whether or not it can be used for the american version of the game. It was poorly written and organized. I sent it back and paid for the return shipping. I will want more details when I buy another. Maynard

5 comments about Lottery Master Guide.

1. I assumed a book costing $25 would be a valuable addition to my knowledge of playing the Lotto and Lottery. Gail Howard is more hype than substance. Having read and studied Professor Jones' books, and other significant authors on the subject of statistical analysis, this book is trite and unsubstantial.
   
   Like "Sylvia the Psychic" on Montel, Ms. Howard has parleyed her image to connote a knowledge of Lotto but I would pass on her book. I feel like it was a sham and it cost me $25 for nothing.



2. I like the book so far. It gets a little complicated. So, I have to re-read some of the tips, etc. I'm going to win Florida Fantasy 5! Yes!:)
   ~Jeniffer



3. Gail Howard's books have been credited with helping dozens of people become millionaires- verified real people with real stories. No other lottery books I have seen have verified winners. Proof of Jackpot Winners can be seen at her website-numerous articles with testimonials and PHOTOS-important for me. I have learned to always go to the author's websites. That was enough for me plus I saw a real winner's testimony above. I ordered three of Howard's books, read practically round the clock after reading many other books on the same subject. She is clear on her systems, I get them even though math was not my greatest subject. A friend who just won something tipped me to Gail's books and it took me several weeks to decide-so glad I did.



4. If you are new to playing lottery then this is the book to get. Plenty of charts to get you thinking and analyzing numbers so you can create your OWN systems. I highly recommend this book for all beginning lottery enthusists.



5. First of all, let me just say that it takes A LOT of WORK and PATIENCE to pull off a success, using the techniques in this book. For those of you who think this book is a 1-2-3 gateway to winfall, think again. Great things hardly come easily.
   
   With that said, I have been doing HEAVY testing with the techniques in this book for about a year and the results are confirmed. IT WORKS! The numbers I've generated within that year's time have captured over $13,000 in wins, not to mention the highly numerous Take-5 FREE PLAYS I amassed on a REGULAR basis. In one game I managed to capture 44 FOUR-NUMBER COMBOS! That is simply phenomenal!
   
   My recommendation for those who are having trouble with the book is this:
   
   1. Use Microsoft Excel
   
   2. Track the frequency of the number skips - this will tell you which numbers to remove from your final group, reducing your pool to 17 numbers or less! (ex. if a skip of 10 hs been out for five games, check how often a skip of 10 stays out between hits)
   
   3. Play BIG. You can't expect to win big with scared money. I've tried diligently without success. It took nearly $400 to net a $10,000 win.
   
   4. When using Gail's 5-number wheels, there is a feature designed to refine your numbers. You press F4 to activate it. When F4 takes you to the next screen, press F4 at least 3 to 4 times (this takes you toward the higher spectrum). In either of those windows, you will find winning numbers.
   
   5. To hit a jackpot, you will need to use Power Numbers. Sorry, but that was the ONLY way I was capable of capturing a jackpot. I learned this with my experiments that utilized PREVIOUSLY released winning numbers. Even when I had less than 15 numbers in my group, which included all of the winning numbers, the non-Power Number wheels still failed to capture a jackpot.
   
   Good luck breaking the lottery!

5 comments about Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg: How to Play the Game & Win.

1. I have been playing American Maj Jongg for over a year. This book provides well written easy to follow explanations and instructions for novice as well as others who have some experience. The author provides quizes to help the reader check his understanding at the end of each chapter. The best parts of the book for me were the exercises he provided for individuals to practice such skills as chosing what hand to try to play from the card. You can't go wrong with this book if you want to play American Maj Jongg (National or American).



2. Don't buy this book! You will be terribly frustrated and unable to learn from it. This is why: Those of you who have ever played Mah Jongg know that there are three suits represented by three colors: green, red, and black. This book is packed full of illustrations depicting mah jongg hands such as: 333 6666 9999 DDD. In the book, this hand is described as having three suits(colors), that is, some of these numbers/letters are in red, some in black, and some in green. It is absolutely essential that the three suits/colors represented in this hand be visable in the illustrations. THE ARE NOT! The red is clearly red, but the black and green printed numbers are not distinguishable from each other. (In just a couple of the many, many illustrations, the "green" is an ever so slightly lighter shade of black -- when you hold the book under a 150W bulb and use a magnifying glass, but 99% of the time, you just see black for both black and green with no distinction.) You simply cannot learn to play mah jongg if you can't see all the colors represented by a hand. This is the craziest thing I have ever seen in a book that puports to teach beginners to play the game. This is really a shame since the concept of the book is a good one for absolute beginners and for novices like me. Since it can't possibly accomplish what it sets out to do, I wish I could give it "0"stars. I will be returning the book.



3. Due to a printing error, a few copies of this book had some color problems of the kind that P. Radcliffe mentions. The good news is, if your copy is problematic, you may return it to the publisher for an exchange. There's no reason to miss out on this book--it really makes the game fun, even for a true beginner like me!



4. Having played Mah for about five years, I purchased this book as a gift for some folks who are just learning the game...and I am teaching them. I thought the book was excellent in all respects. The book is easy to read and in reading I once again realized what great teachers I had because I learned the game by osmosis. Thanks Elaine Sandberg!



5. This is an excellent book for beginners and great for those who have been taught by others but need more insight into the correct procedures of playing the game. The print is large, the color of the tiles is clear, and the format is such that each step is clearly understood. Exercises are given to help a person experience what is written. At the end of each section is a quiz to determine how well the material was absorbed. I highly recommend this book for an easy explanation of the game and the rules.