By Michael Dalton.
On October 25, 2025, the Ruvo Center in Las Vegas transformed into a haunted haven for the sharpest minds in blackjack as Max Rubin’s legendary Blackjack Ball returned with a ghoulish twist. The annual invite-only gathering—equal parts secret society, strategy summit, and social spectacle—embraced a Halloween theme this year, turning the elite card-counting and advantage play conclave into a masquerade of monsters, mavericks, and mathematical masterminds.
Notable Blackjack Hall of Fame inductees that were present tonight (that I remember) included Ed Thorp, Johnny Chang, Don Johnson, Darryl Purpose, James Grosjean, Tommy Hyland, Blair Hull, Rick Blaine, Wally Simmons, Rob Reitzen and, of course, Max Rubin and Richard Munchkin.1)If I missed anyone, let me know.
👻 Costumes and Camouflage
Attendees arrived cloaked in creativity, from vampire pit bosses, to gorillas, to Squid Game soldiers2)
James Grosjean was one attendee who never took his face mask off — a Squid Game worker., to zombie dealers. Among the most memorable was Yancy Howard3)
Yancy Howard is the pseudonym for Dick Buechler – a successful poker player and blackjack card counter originally from Salem, New Jersey. He comments that he learned about advantage play in the United States Marines where he was a Gunnery Sergeant during the Vietnam war era. A former professional Heliarc (TIG) Welder and instructor, he now enjoys traveling the world in his retirement. Ed Thorp signing Yancy’s jacket! Yancy joked that he wouldn’t take $10000 for this jacket as it was signed by dozens of the best advantage players in the world., a respected card counter and guest of Michael Dalton, who came dressed as the “Unknown (Comic) Card Counter”—a clever nod to anonymity in the world of advantage play. His costume, complete with a question-mark mask and a deck holster, drew laughs and admiration from fellow guests who appreciated the blend of humor and subtext.
The award for best costume went to an individual whose disguise was so convincing, many—including myself—mistook him for actual event staff. Dressed in humble working clothes, he blended seamlessly into the background, often spotted in the men’s restroom as a bathroom attendant offering assistance with an air of quiet professionalism. He even brought his own mouthwash, paper cups and other props. His understated presence and commitment to the role fooled nearly everyone, making the eventual reveal all the more delightful. It was a masterclass in subtlety and immersion—proof that sometimes the best costume isn’t the flashiest, but the one that makes you question what’s real.
What Gamblers Do! The Calcutta!
All attendees who arrived with a costume were given a “free” Calcutta betting card. Mine ended up being worth $25 and I bet on Group 5: Gambling Writers, which I was part of. I also placed a few other bets on some favorites including the “Field”.
🎩 The Ceremony of Skill
As tradition dictates, the evening wasn’t just about revelry. The infamous skills competition tested attendees on everything from answering difficult questions, card counting and memorizing cards, with the coveted Grosjean Cup awarded to the evening’s top performer. Whispers of side bets and impromptu strategy debates filled the air, proving once again that the Blackjack Ball is as much about intellectual sparring as it is about celebration.
The Fastest Card Counter on Earth
As Yancy and I arrived early at the event, we immediately got our names down for the card counting contest, which was structured in a single-elimination bracket arrangement. Entries were limited to the first 56 players. This year’s contest was single-deck, 3 cards removed. Most participants used the Hi-Lo count. You choose how you want to count. Methods didn’t matter – only speed and accuracy did. In the end, it was not surprising that Darryl Purpose won the contest – at 11.3 seconds. He was always regarded as one the fastest card counters on Earth. Magician turned card counter Steven Bridges came in second.4)
Steven actually only had to count 2 cards less than Darryl. Reason? Before the event, and only if you were in costume, you got a free handicap card. You could use this card at any time. The card was worth a 0 to 12 card advantage. In other words, if the card said 5, then 5 cards would be removed from the deck to make it neutral. Darryl won the contest even though Steven had a 2 card advantage! According to Max, if Steve had received a 4 or higher, he’d have won because the contest was so close.
Final card counting competition between Purpose and Bridges.
Yes, that is a baccarat table! We really didn’t need a blackjack table. :-)
Dr. Timothy Fong: UCLA Gambling Addiction Studies
On March 15, 2022, the Blackjack Hall of Fame became a 501c3 non-profit corporation which allows the Blackjack Ball to have a charitable purpose. This year they presented UCLA’s Gambling Addiction Studies.
Dr. Fong emphasized the pervasive nature of gambling in American society, noting its growing influence—particularly through the expansion of sports betting—and its dual role as both a social connector and a potential source of harm. While gambling can bring people together, he cautioned that 1–2% of the population may develop gambling addiction, a condition with serious consequences.
At UCLA, his team studies the biological, psychological, and social roots of gambling behavior and addiction, aiming to develop effective treatments. He proudly highlighted California’s 16-year commitment to providing free gambling addiction treatment, which has helped over 12,000 individuals.
However, he warned that continued progress depends on sustained funding. Contributions from the Blackjack Ball will directly support research into residential treatment, new medications, and other innovative approaches to recovery. He closed by expressing deep gratitude and reaffirming that every dollar donated will be put to meaningful use.
During Dr. Fong’s speech he commented: “I’ve learned more about gambling in (these) two hours than I probably did in the last 25 years of studying it and reading it from textbooks and papers.” That’s definitely a testament to the Blackjack Ball attendees.
The Grosjean Cup and Munchkin Award
It was never an easy task to win contests at the Blackjack Ball. This year, the final contest was to steer a seen Joker playing 6-deck blackjack. You needed to accurately estimate the cut (around one deck), play one to three hands, and possibly eat cards to get closer to the Joker. In the end “The guy with the green hat“, also known as eevee, won the last contest and the Grosjean Cup. He beat out the the legendary John Chang (former MIT Team manager and last year’s Grosjean Cup winner) who won the Munchkin Award.
🏆 Hall of Fame Honors
The highlight of the night came when Colin Jones, founder of the Blackjack Apprenticeship and a driving force in modern card counting education, was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame. His contributions to training the next generation of advantage players and promoting ethical play earned him a standing ovation. Jones joins an elite group of inductees whose names are etched into the lore of the game.
🕵️ A Night to Remember
Max Rubin and Richard Munchkin, the event’s charismatic hosts, once again curated an evening that balanced secrecy with spectacle. The Ruvo Center’s dim lighting and eerie décor added a theatrical flair to the proceedings, while the underlying camaraderie reminded everyone that blackjack (and advantage play in general) is more than a game—it’s a lifestyle, a discipline, and for many, a lifelong pursuit.
As the night wound down and masks came off, one thing remained clear: the Blackjack Ball continues to be the heartbeat of the advantage play community. And in 2025, it pulsed with spooky brilliance.
28th Blackjack Ball 2025 Podcast
IMAGE CREDITS: Michael Dalton and Yancy Howard
OTHER LINKS TO THIS EVENT: The Blackjack Ball by Jeff Edelstein
Footnotes
| ↑1 | If I missed anyone, let me know. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | James Grosjean was one attendee who never took his face mask off — a Squid Game worker. |
| ↑3 | Yancy Howard is the pseudonym for Dick Buechler – a successful poker player and blackjack card counter originally from Salem, New Jersey. He comments that he learned about advantage play in the United States Marines where he was a Gunnery Sergeant during the Vietnam war era. A former professional Heliarc (TIG) Welder and instructor, he now enjoys traveling the world in his retirement. Ed Thorp signing Yancy’s jacket! Yancy joked that he wouldn’t take $10000 for this jacket as it was signed by dozens of the best advantage players in the world. |
| ↑4 |
Steven actually only had to count 2 cards less than Darryl. Reason? Before the event, and only if you were in costume, you got a free handicap card. You could use this card at any time. The card was worth a 0 to 12 card advantage. In other words, if the card said 5, then 5 cards would be removed from the deck to make it neutral. Darryl won the contest even though Steven had a 2 card advantage! According to Max, if Steve had received a 4 or higher, he’d have won because the contest was so close. |