John Grochowski reviews the 2003 American Casino Guide

Each year about this time, I look forward to receiving Steve Bourie's annual American Casino Guide ($14.95, Casino Vacations), which seems to get more informative with every edition. Working state by state, the 2003 Guide lists every casino in the United States, along with phone numbers, addresses, Web sites, games offered, casino size, number of rooms, restaurants, prices for buffets and valet parking, senior citizen discounts and special features.

The Guide, which started with little else but the listings, has evolved into much more than that. Its articles and essays on practically every casino game make it a handy primer on playing in the casino. Bourie contributes articles on basics of many casino games, including video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and slot machines. He includes table diagrams, as well as basic strategy charts for blackjack and video poker.

All that is augmented by essays by many well-known gambling authors. Henry Tamburin checks in with best bets in the casino, disturbing trends in blackjack and continuous shuffling machines. Craps expert Larry Edell writes about controlling the dice. Frank Scoblete explores just how good "other games" are, with emphasis on Spanish 21, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, pai-gow poker and Let It Ride. Bob Dancer, Tomski and I all check in on video poker, while Max Rubin, Jean Scott, H. Scot Krause and Dancer explore different aspects of casino comps.

Mixed in with the casino listings in some states are essays on the best places to play--the best of Atlantic City, the best of Las Vegas, the best of Reno. the best of Tunica and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The last 88 pages of the 432-page softcover book are devoted to coupons from many casino jurisdictions. It's a little light in the Midwest--the only Chicago-area coupon is for a free Skyline Buffet for new members of Club Majestic at Majestic Star Casino in Gary. The strength of the coupon package is in Las Vegas, with room deals, match play vouchers, meal discounts and more.

For anyone who needs a good basic guide to casino games, the 2003 American Casino Guide is well worth the price. To those who travel to casinos in other parts of the country, it's a must.