The Pocket Guide to Dice and Dice Games

Souter, Keith

ISBN 10: 1620871807 / ISBN 13: 9781620871805

Published by Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2013

Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 5285953-6

Synopsis:

Dice games have been played for centuries and are a staple of the playground, board games, and casinos alike. This pocket guide spans the history of dice and offers clear explanations of popular dice games, including farkle (played since the Middle Ages), Gluckhaus (a German game of fortune, played since the medieval era), craps, and Jacks! This guide also includes tips on winning and how to avoid being tricked by loaded or “crooked” dice. 

Famous dice players, such as the Roman emperors Augustus and Caligula, lost money playing dice and quickly stole other people’s to continue their gaming sprees. In the early nineteenth century, fortunes could be won and lost at the roll of a die and it was not only money which was gambled away, but estates and even marriages. Full of fascinating facts and useful tips, this is a must-read book for everyone interested in family fun, games, gambling, or social history. 

Did you know? 
• Dice derives from the Latin datum, meaning “ought to be played” 
• The black marks showing the numbers are called pips 
• Dice were first played in India around 3000 bc  
• Dice were originally made from bones, including knuckle and ankle bones 
• Traditionally cubed, dice also come in other geometric shapes, incuding the zocchihedron, the 100-sided die, and the deltoidal icositetrahedron, where each side is shaped like a kite 

About the Authors:

Dr. Keith Souter was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, and studied medicine at Dundee University. He is a part-time doctor, medical writer, and novelist. Using his own name and a few pen names, he has published over thirty books, including twelve novels in four different genres. In 2006, he won the Fish Prize for one of his historical short stories. 

Laura Matine is an illustrator based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Since graduating from Cambridge School of Art, Laura has balanced her time between illustrating and running her own design company. She is also the illustrator of Medical Meddlers, Mediums and Magicians: The Victorian Age of Credulity.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Pocket Guide to Dice and Dice Games
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication Date: 2013
Binding: Soft cover
Illustrator: Matine, Laura
Condition: Good
Edition: 1st Edition.