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Thread: Blackjack Books

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    Blackjack Books

    I've just finished scouring my local bookstores in search of Blackjack books, and was quite disappointed. I was surprised by how many books claimed to teach you how to "consistently win at blackjack without counting", claiming to even give you up to a 1.5% edge over the house without using counting methods. I couldn't help but laughing while flipping through them. I did find a few books I did want however. I picked up Beat The Dealer by Thorp and Playing Blackjack as a Business by Revere, since they are classics. I also picked up a copy of "The World's Greatest Blackjack Book" by Lance Humble and Carl Cooper. I haven't heard of them or the book before, but it seems to be focused on Hi-Opt 1, and tips about going about the casino, such as camo and picking casinos and dealers. If anyone knows about this book and has any opinions or information let me know.

    Since I've gone through just about every bookstore here, I've decided to order the rest of my books online. I figured I'd get BJA3, Blackjack Blueprint, and a physical copy of Modern Blackjack. Are there any other good books anyone can recommend I order?

    If it matters, I'm currently just training Hi-Lo before heading into a casino, been at it for a few weeks, so I'm not an AP yet. All the casinos around me are 6D, HS17, DAS, No Surrender, 1 card burned at the start of the shoe. Because of this I figured Hi-Lo was the best "bang for my buck" time-wise. Once I get more comfortable I plan to implement side counts such as Aces and maybe the 7 count that has been recently discussed, as it looks interesting and effective from what I can see at the moment.

    All advice and information welcome

  2. #2
    Random number herder Norm's Avatar
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    I've found that book stores, besides offering the old classics, generally have John Patrick books. Not just casino giftshops and airports, but Barnes and Noble when they had many stores. People want to be told they can beat the casino with no effort, so that's what's sold. In one sense, I mourn the death of brick and mortar book stores. In another sense, perhaps they have blown their imprimatur and raison d'être.
    "I don't think outside the box; I think of what I can do with the box." - Henri Matisse

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    Quote Originally Posted by Norm View Post
    I've found that book stores, besides offering the old classics, generally have John Patrick books. Not just casino giftshops and airports, but Barnes and Noble when they had many stores. People want to be told they can beat the casino with no effort, so that's what's sold. In one sense, I mourn the death of brick and mortar book stores. In another sense, perhaps they have blown their imprimatur and raison d'être.
    The regular book stores such as Barnes and Noble didn't even have the classics, just the fraudulent books. I found the classics at second hand bookstores, which I honestly expected a better haul considering the large amount of casinos in my area. I'm starting to look at second hand bookstores when I want books, hoping they're there, and if not, just ordering them online. Any other bookstore seems to just have generalized modern "pop" books along with rehashed classics. A shame really.

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    Quote Originally Posted by AerialSnack View Post
    Are there any other good books anyone can recommend I order?
    No serious blackjack library is complete without Stanford Wong's Professional Blackjack and Peter Griffin's The Theory of Blackjack. I would add Bryce Carlson's Blackjack for Blood and Ken Uston's Million Dollar Blackjack. There are, of course, others. Surely, anything by Arnold Snyder is reputable and worthwhile.

    Don

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    Senior Member dalmatian's Avatar
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    Burning the Tables in Las Vegas

    21st Century Card Counter

    Blackjack Life

    Blackbelt in Blackjack

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    Quote Originally Posted by dalmatian View Post
    Burning the Tables in Las Vegas

    21st Century Card Counter

    Blackjack Life

    Blackbelt in Blackjack
    Yes, amen to all of the above.

    Don

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    old books

    Quote Originally Posted by DSchles View Post
    Yes, amen to all of the above.

    Don
    I have some of the classics from the early 80's, including "The Casino Gamblers Guide" by Allan N. Wilson, copyright 1965-70. The dust cover is intact, but it has sustained some moisture damage due to being packed away for 30 years. I wonder if it is worth anything in this condition?

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    Quote Originally Posted by dueceside View Post
    I have some of the classics from the early 80's, including "The Casino Gamblers Guide" by Allan N. Wilson, copyright 1965-70. The dust cover is intact, but it has sustained some moisture damage due to being packed away for 30 years. I wonder if it is worth anything in this condition?
    Even in good condition it’s not worth much.occasionally it shows up on EBay I think for $10-15 iirc

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    Blackjack life is a great all around book. Easy to read and gets you thinking about how to approach games differently.

  10. #10


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    Quote Originally Posted by DSchles View Post
    No serious blackjack library is complete without Stanford Wong's Professional Blackjack and Peter Griffin's The Theory of Blackjack. I would add Bryce Carlson's Blackjack for Blood and Ken Uston's Million Dollar Blackjack. There are, of course, others. Surely, anything by Arnold Snyder is reputable and worthwhile.

    Don
    Don - i am surprised that you didn't include "Blackjack Attack" by yourself on the list. I would recommend that it be a part of every library and suggest to get the first edition with the fancy mustard cover if you can find it. If not the 3rd edition is a good alternative as well.

    Cohiba

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cohiba View Post
    Don - i am surprised that you didn't include "Blackjack Attack" by yourself on the list. I would recommend that it be a part of every library and suggest to get the first edition with the fancy mustard cover if you can find it. If not the 3rd edition is a good alternative as well.

    Cohiba
    I'm puzzled why you would recommend the first edition. If I remember correctly the first edition didn't have the Chapter on SCORE that is why I bought the second edition. Never did buy the 3rd edition so don't know what I'm missing. However, I'm getting too old and my eyesight is not that great for reading anymore. I do remember the book having small font.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cohiba View Post
    Don - i am surprised that you didn't include "Blackjack Attack" by yourself on the list. I would recommend that it be a part of every library and suggest to get the first edition with the fancy mustard cover if you can find it. If not the 3rd edition is a good alternative as well.

    Cohiba
    It's because the OP wrote: "Since I've gone through just about every bookstore here, I've decided to order the rest of my books online. I figured I'd get BJA3, Blackjack Blueprint, and a physical copy of Modern Blackjack. Are there any other good books anyone can recommend I order?"

    Don

  13. #13


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    Quote Originally Posted by Midwest Player View Post
    I'm puzzled why you would recommend the first edition. If I remember correctly the first edition didn't have the Chapter on SCORE that is why I bought the second edition. Never did buy the 3rd edition so don't know what I'm missing. However, I'm getting too old and my eyesight is not that great for reading anymore. I do remember the book having small font.
    BJA3 has an extremely clear, readable font. As for not knowing what you're missing in BJA3, just about 200 pages!

    Don

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