I've just started to get very serious about blackjack and I'm trying to get a very good basic game down before I move to counting cards. I bought Basic Blackjack by Stanford Wong.
While cruising the internet I've found a book called Blackjack bluebook II by Fred Renzey. Have any of you guys ever read the book? It's gotten good reviews but a lot of books get good reviews. I don't want to waste my time if the book sux.
> I've just started to get very serious about
> blackjack and I'm trying to get a very good
> basic game down before I move to counting
> cards. I bought Basic Blackjack by Stanford
> Wong.
> While cruising the internet I've found a
> book called Blackjack bluebook II by Fred
> Renzey. Have any of you guys ever read the
> book? It's gotten good reviews but a lot of
> books get good reviews. I don't want to
> waste my time if the book sux.
I have nearly finished reading this book and will be writing a review in the near future. Not to steal the thunder from my review, but this is an excellent book, especially for the beginner. Renzey cuts through the math in clear, easy-to-understand language.
The explanation of the tenuous relationship between short-term deviations and "the long run" is the best I have ever seen, enabling even the math-challenged to grasp this difficult concept.
Also included are several techniques for those who would like to play with a small edge (or at least reduce the casino's edge), but are reluctant to expend the effort necessary to count cards. While this may be of scant interest to readers of these forums, it is an area that has not really been previously explored.
All in all, the book is a worthwhile addition to any blackjack library.
I've not read this book yet,but if you are new I would suggest that you read Blackjack for Blood. Regardless of what count system you use, the book is a great introduction to the game. In addition, I think Blackjack Autumn is a must read. This will not help with any theory, but it does provide a tremendous insight into the world of professional blackjack. Lastly, read Blackjack Wisdom by Arnold Snyder. A portion of the book focuses on obtaining a B.A. in counting. It is a great read.
Good luck,
HJ
> I've just started to get very serious about
> blackjack and I'm trying to get a very good
> basic game down before I move to counting
> cards. I bought Basic Blackjack by Stanford
> Wong.
> While cruising the internet I've found a
> book called Blackjack bluebook II by Fred
> Renzey. Have any of you guys ever read the
> book? It's gotten good reviews but a lot of
> books get good reviews. I don't want to
> waste my time if the book sux.
FYI... For anyone interested someone claiming to be Fred Renzey is posting on hitorstand.net. The guy seems knowledgable. Just thought I'd let y'all know.
And the blackjack game is pretty good too. Great practice for someone trying to learn basic strategy.
BJ book I ever read. It was clear and concise as Don stated. I am not too interested in all the math equations. I trust the pros and want to know what to do and execute it. I don't care about the theory behind it. It taught me BS then I learned the basic counting system described and tried it at my local casino. It worked. I then thought I may as well learn a full blown system and learned Hi-Lo.
I have since read Pro BJ, BJ Secrets, BJA2, Blackbelt BJ, Burning the Tables in LV, Frugal Gambler, Comp City and Blackjack by Patterson (I don't reccommend Patterson's book for many reasons that have already been discussed in this forum.) I have purchased BJRM and CVBJ software. All of thesed tools IMHO are must haves for anyone even remotely interested in gaining an edge over the casinos.
Good cards.
> Also included are several techniques for
> those who would like to play with a small
> edge (or at least reduce the casino's edge),
> but are reluctant to expend the effort
> necessary to count cards. While this may be
> of scant interest to readers of these
> forums, it is an area that has not really
> been previously explored.
I haven't read Bluebook, but I thought Kenny Uston did a pretty good job explaining how non-counters could reduce the house's edge in Chapter 5 of 'Million Dollar BJ' (1981). I also liked chapter 20, "How to Live the American Fantasy Without Spending a Dime." There's a lot of good material (and several levels of count systems) in there.
Yes, it's dated, but I think it belongs on every BJ player's "Must Read" list.
My $0.02 worth.
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