Joseph Buchdahl 
Squares and Sharps, Suckers and Sharks [EPUB ebook] 
The Science, Psychology and Philosophy of Gambling

People have been gambling, in one form or another, for as long as history itself. Why? Money, entertainment, escape and a desire to win are all traditional explanations. Arguably, however, these are secondary considerations to a higher order purpose: a craving for control. Gambling offers a means of gaining authority over the unknown, granting us a sense of control over uncertainty. Almost always that sense is illusory – gambling, including betting and investing, is essentially random – yet for many it is nonetheless profoundly rewarding. This book attempts to explore the reasons why.
Along the way, it examines:
– The science of probability and uncertainty
– Why gambling is often condemned
– The difference between expectation and utility
– The irrationality of human beings
– Evolutionary perspectives on gambling
– Luck and skill
– Market efficiency and the wisdom of crowds
– Why winners take all
– Cheating
– Why the process matters more than the outcome

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