Katarina Walker

**Norm** · 10-27-2015, 03:10 PM

Very upsetting news. Katarina passed away in her sleep. She was an incredible woman. Obviously highly intelligent and focused. We chatted on the phone numerous times before her book came out, about Blackjack of course, but also current events, world politics, etc. She was passionate in her beliefs, strong-willed, deeply in love with her husband, filled with life, indefatigable, a true joy to chat with. Words fail.

**Freightman** · 10-27-2015, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

Very upsetting news. Katarina passed away in her sleep. She was an incredible woman. Obviously highly intelligent and focused. We chatted on the phone numerous times before her book came out, about Blackjack of course, but also current events, world politics, etc. She was passionate in her beliefs, strong-willed, deeply in love with her husband, filled with life, indefatigable, a true joy to chat with. Words fail.

I didn't think she as that old- her book was and still is a classic, though I do understand that count systems for pontoon/Spanish have improved.

**winnawinna** · 10-27-2015, 03:13 PM

SO sorry to hear about that. She was very knowledgeable in SP21. Thanks to Flash, I have her book about it

**G Man** · 10-27-2015, 03:33 PM

She was 49.
Very sad news.

**Norm** · 10-27-2015, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by G Man

She was 49.

And could have passed for much younger. Silly, but I'm hoping this is some hoax or error.

**Freightman** · 10-27-2015, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

And could have passed for much younger. Silly, but I'm hoping this is some hoax or error.

Doesn't appear so, unfortunately - based on the link above.

**ZenMaster_Flash** · 10-27-2015, 04:56 PM

This saddens me.

I had spoken to Katarina several times

(about her book on Span21 of course)

I knew that she had serious health concerns

so this was not a complete surprise to me,

but it is sad news nonetheless.

**All Clear** · 10-28-2015, 01:45 PM

Katarina wrote in her book (which I purchased) that she planned on writing a second book on Spanish 21 in the future, which would incorporate higher level strategies than the simplistic count she presented in her first work. Guess that responsibility falls on someone else, now.

**dharmaprija** · 10-29-2015, 04:46 PM

i miss being here on the site. glad to be home.

**Fire Walker** · 11-02-2015, 09:40 AM

(First Post) This made me very sad. Kat's book lit me up with enthusiasm for this game. I promptly looked her up on Facebook after seeing this and her picture made me smile. A beautiful, voraciously curious being with a beautiful mind. I recently started working on a level 2 count for this game and went back to her book to skim through it as a refresher. She referenced a quote in the book by Charles Kingsley which I feel she lived by: “We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” RIP Kat. Thank you for your enthusiasm and righteous contribution to the community. You were truly a BadA$$ on the good side of The Force, and your voice will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Namaste.

**BigJer** · 11-02-2015, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Fire Walker

(First Post) This made me very sad. Kat's book lit me up with enthusiasm for this game. I promptly looked her up on Facebook after seeing this and her picture made me smile. A beautiful, voraciously curious being with a beautiful mind. I recently started working on a level 2 count for this game and went back to her book to skim through it as a refresher. She referenced a quote in the book by Charles Kingsley which I feel she lived by: “We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” RIP Kat. Thank you for your enthusiasm and righteous contribution to the community. You were truly a BadA$$ on the good side of The Force, and your voice will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Namaste.

Welcome aboard.

**Fire Walker** · 11-02-2015, 11:32 AM

Thanks, BigJer. Good to be here.

**davethebuilder** · 10-31-2015, 03:56 AM

Originally Posted by Norm

And could have passed for much younger. Silly, but I'm hoping this is some hoax or error.

This is no hoax or error. Following the publication of the book in 2008 most Australian casinos either removed the game or began dealing it from a CSM. I'm not sure about Spanish 21 conditions in the USA but these days Australian Pontoon should only be played for entertainment.