Leo Guild. The World’s Greatest Gambling Systems. Sirkay Publishing Co., Los Angeles, CA; 1966, 1970 (98 pages) – Not recommended. Subtitled, Ten of the World’s Biggest Gambler’s Tell How They Win at: Dice, Horse Racing, Cards, Roulette, Stock Market, Sports. See below. [ AMAZON: World’s Greatest Gambling Systems ]
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Leo Guild. The World’s Greatest Winning Systems. Holloway House Publishing Co., Los Angeles, CA; 1978 (219 pages) – Not recommended. Subtitled, Ten of the World’s Biggest Gambler’s Tell How They Win… This is an updated version of the same book by Guild listed above. The 10 page blackjack section is practically identical. [ AMAZON: World’s Greatest Winning Systems ] |
Robert C. Hannum and Anthony N. Cabot. Practical Casino Math. Trace Publications; 2005. (300 pages) – Excellent. According to their bios, Robert Hannum is (was?) a Professor of Risk Analysis and Gaming at the University of Denver, where he teaches probability and statistics with special interests in gambling theory and commercial gaming. Anthony Cabot is (was?) a partner in the law firm Lewis and Roca, and head of the gaming law practices for that office in Las Vegas. Written for the casino industry this book presents the mathematics underlying casino games, provides a precise account of the odds associated with the games, and describes the role of mathematics in casino gaming management. A primary goal is to allow the reader to understand how and why casino games produce revenue. The Wizard of Odds, Michael Shackleford, called this book “The best book on casino math…“ [ AMAZON: Casino Math by Robert Hannum ] [ mysite.du.edu/~rhannum/PCM2f12.html ] [ trendfollowing.com/pdfs/casino_math.pdf ] [ gaming.unlv.edu/casinomath.html ]
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Eliot Jacobson. Advanced Advantage Play. Blue Point Books; 2015, 2020. (475 pages) – Outstanding. Highly recommended. Subtitled, Beating and Safeguarding Modern Casino Table Games, Side Bets and Promotions. Foreword by Bill Zender. From the advertising: “Advanced Advantage Play is the most complete book ever made available to the general public on advantage play against casino table games. It examines beating and protecting nearly all of the table games and side bets that are currently available on casino floors internationally, including blackjack, baccarat and pai gow poker. Based on material first published in Dr. Eliot Jacobson’s well-known blog APHeat.net, this book also covers advantage play against marketing and promotions.” Michael Shackleford, the “Wizard of Odds”, comments, “If you want to get up to speed on the latest techniques in advantage play, whether you are an advantage player or trying to protect your casino from them, … Advanced Advantage Play is essential reading” This book also has good reviews from experts such as Bill Zender and Stanford Wong. The author holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Arizona. Second printing in 2020 has a different cover design. [ AMAZON: Advanced Advantage Play ]
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Eliot Jacobson. Contemporary Casino Table Game Design, Blue Point Books; 2015. (442 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. Subtitled, A Practical Guide to Casino Table Game Design, Development and Selection for Casino Management and Game Developers. I have not read this book yet but based on reviews such as — from Michael Shackleford: “There is no other book on the market like this. It isn’t for everybody, but if you’ve ever thought of getting into the casino game business, you must read this book.“ [ AMAZON: Contemporary Casino Table Game Design by Eliot Jacobson ]
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Oswald Jacoby. Oswald Jacoby on Gambling. Hart Publishing; 1963 (210 pages) – Subtitled, How to gamble — and get your money’s worth! Author reproduces the Baldwin basic strategy and includes a crude ten-count system but never gives credit to Baldwin or Thorp. Oswald Jacoby (born Dec 8, 1902) was a famous contract bridge player. He died on June 27, 1984. [ AMAZON: Oswald Jacoby on Gambling ] [ 12 Snyder Big Book of Blackjack 59 ] [ WIKIPEDIA ]
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Jimmy “The Scot” Jordan. Learn How to Play Blackjack and Baccarat and Win. Self published; 1987 (47 pages) – Not recommended. Contains inaccurate advice. [ AMAZON: Learn How to Play Blackjack… ]
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Rex King. The World’s Greatest Winning Systems. R.S. Publications; c1976. (97 pages) – Review TBD. Also included material on dog racing, horse racing, roulette, and craps. ???
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 Adam Kucharski. The Perfect Bet. Basic Books; Feb 23, 2016 (288 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. Subtitled, How Science and Math Are Taking the Luck Out of Gambling. According to the bio, Adam Kucharski is an assistant professor in mathematical modeling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and an award-winning science writer. He studied at the University of Warwick before completing a PhD in mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Excellent insight into the history of blackjack and how science has shaped the gambling world. [ AMAZON: The Perfect Bet ] [ PODCAST: Jun 14, 2016 ]
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Frederick Lembeck. Beat the House. Citadel Press / CIPP; 1995, 2014 (183 pages) – Not recommended. Subtitled, 16 Ways to Win at Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat and Other Casino Games. Reprinted in 2014, with apparently no changes. A another silly book on progressive betting systems for the various games. One Amazon reviewer comments, “Some comedy value” and gives it one star. I agree. [ Win 96 Dalton BJR 41 ] [ AMAZON Beat the House 1995 ] [ AMAZON: Beat the House 2014 ]
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Pat Macaluso. Learning Simulation Techniques on a Microcomputer Playing Blackjack and Other Monte Carlo Games. Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA; 1983 (139 pages) – Good. Recommended for its time. From the advertising, “Offers Simulation Programs That Have Practical Value in Business as Well as Gaming Applications.“ Seriously out-dated, but for its time this book provided solid advice to would-be blackjack software programmers. Examples are given in BASIC-80 and Microsoft BASIC. This book was designed around programming for personal computers such as the Sinclair ZX-81, TRS-80, Apple II or III, Osborne 1 and the IBM Personal Computer. The book contains two complete main programs – A Monte Carlo Risk Analysis and a Blackjack Trainer Simulator. [ AMAZON: Learning Simulation Techniques… ]
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Clement McQuaid (editor). Gambler’s Digest: The World’s Greatest Gambling Book. Digest Books / DBI Books; 1971, 1981 (320 pages) – Good. Recommended. Only 9 pages are devoted to blackjack but it’s good information. Also includes information about foreign casinos. Probably seriously out-dated by now. [ AMAZON: Gambler’s Digest ]
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Mason Malmuth and David Sklansky. Gambling For a Living. Two Plus Two Publishing; 1987, 1988, 1990, 1997, 1998 (305 pages) – Very good. Highly recommended. Subtitled, How to Make $100,000 a year. Sklansky and Malmuth have both spent many years writing about the finer points of poker, blackjack, and other beatable games. This book, however, was written for the not-quite-as-experienced aspiring gambler. It shows you everything you need to learn and do if you want to gamble for a living both from the practical and the technical standpoint. [ Sum 99 Snyder BJF 111 ] [ BJRNET: Gambling For A Living ] [ AMAZON: Gambling For A Living ]
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Mason Malmuth. Gambling Theory and Other Topics. Two Plus Two Publishing; 1987, 1988, 1990, 2004, 2024. (397 – 580 pages) – Very good. Highly recommended. Includes chapters and writings on gambling theory, theory in practice, controversial subjects, and opinions on several blackjack books. A must read book on the mathematics of gambling and how to apply them in the real world. Includes excellent information on bankroll fluctuation, long run expectations, etc. Includes specific information on the various casino games. [ 9/87, 6/88 Snyder Blackjack Forum ] [ BJRNET: Gambling Theory and Other Topics ] [ AMAZON: Gambling Theory and Other Topics 2004 ] [ AMAZON: Gambling Theory and Other Topics 2024 ]
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Len Miller (Editor). Gambling Systems that Win. Gambling Times; 1978 (159 pages) – Review TBD. Subtitled, Gambling Times presents the world’s best systems & betting methods for Craps, Blackjack, Sports Betting, Thoroughbred & Harness Races. According to the cover, 14 systems are in the book. [ AMAZON: Gambling Systems that Win ]
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Jacques Noir. Casino Holiday. Oxford Street Press, Berkeley, CA; 1968, 1970. (201 pages) – Good. Recommended. A simple unbalanced count that he calls the One-Two Count is presented. Excellent graphics for the time. [ AMAZON: Casino Holiday ]
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Mike Orkin. Can You Win? W. H. Freeman and Co., New York; 1991. (181 pages) – The blackjack section (9 pages) is not recommended . Subtitled, The Real Odds for Casino Gambling, Sports Betting, and Lotteries. Includes an introduction to the game and some outdated information. The sections regarding the other games may be worth reading, however. Contains especially strong sections on probability, expected win calculations and the mathematics of odds. [ AMAZON: Can You Win? ]
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Darwin Ortiz. Darwin Ortiz on Casino Gambling. Dodd, Mead & Company, New York; 1986. (268 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. Subtitled, The Complete Guide to Playing and Winning. One of the best how-to books for playing the various casino games. Darwin Ortiz, at one time, operated the Darwin Ortiz Gambling School in Jackson Heights, New York (c1980). [ 80 Blackjack-Your Own Prof. Prog. C&S Vol.11,38 ] [ 81 Patterson Blackjack: A Winner’s Handbook 169 ] [ 12/86 Snyder BJF 49 ] [ darwinortiz.com ] [ AMAZON: Darwin Ortiz on Casino Gambling ]
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Edward Packel. The Mathematics of Games and Gambling. Mathematical Assoc of America; 1981, 1996, 2006. (141 ~ 190 pages) – Review TBD. Sections on dice, cards, roulette, craps, poker, keno, blackjack and lotteries. Edward Packel is Volwiler Professor of Mathematics “Emeritus” at Lake Forest College in Chicago, Illinois. Preview looks good. [ BACK COVER ] [ 5/93 Schwartz BJC 30 ] [ AMAZON: Mathematics of Games and Gambling ]
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Jerry Patterson and Nancy Patterson. The Casino Gambler’s Winning Edge at Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Video Poker, Echelon Gaming, Voorhees, NJ; 1989. (153 pages) – Not recommended. Primarily written by the Pattersons to advertise their Casino Gambler’s Network and the TARGET methods. [ AMAZON: Casino Gambler’s Winning Edge ]
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Jerry Patterson. Casino Gambling: A Winner’s Guide to Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Casino Poker , Berkley Publishing; 2000. (240 pages) – Not recommended. From the advertising: Chapters 4, 5 and 6 explain why card counting in blackjack doesn’t always work the way it’s supposed to and disclose how to avoid losing on the high count hands; i.e., when to bet up and when not to bet up on the high-count hands. [ AMAZON: Casino Gambling: A Winner’s Guide… ]
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Jerry Patterson and Walter Jaye. Casino Gambling: Winning Techniques for Craps, Roulette, Baccarat & Blackjack. Perigee / Putnam Pub. Group, New York; 1982. (224 pages)| – Good. Recommended. Written before Patterson started promoting his TARGET methods. [ AMAZON: Casino Gambling: Winning Techniques… ] |
Sidney H. Radner. The Key to Roulette, Blackjack and One-Armed Bandits. Ottenheimer Publishers; 1963. (183 pages) – Review TBD. Formerly titled Radner on Roulette and Other Casino Games. [ AMAZON: The Key to Roulette, Blackjack… ]
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Terence Reese. Winning at Casino Gambling: An International Guide. Sterling Publishing Co, New York; 1978. (128 pages) – Good. Recommended. The blackjack section in this book is 25 pages. It includes the rules of the game, an accurate basic strategy and a good introduction to card counting. Also includes material on craps and roulette. [ AMAZON: Winning at Casino Gambling ]
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Rouge et Noir Staff. Winning at Casino Gaming. Rouge Et Noir; 1975 (340 pages) – Good. Recommended. A basic book on blackjack and good coverage of other gambling games. Extensive review of gambling in foreign countries. [ AMAZON: Winning at Casino Gaming ]
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Jere Russell. 21 Wins, the Gambler’s Edge. Bon Change Enterprises; 1982. (231 pages) – Review TBD. The blackjack section is through page 111. Also includes craps, roulette and baccarat / chemin de fer information. [ AMAZON: 21 Wins, the Gambler’s Edge ]
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Hans Sagan. Beat the Odds. Hayden Book Co, Rochelle Park, NJ; 1980. (210 pages) – Review TBD. Subtitled, Microcomputer Simulations of Casino Games: Trente-et-quarante, Roulette, Chemin-de-fer, Craps, Blackjack. Includes information about the game and a BASIC program listing. [ AMAZON: Beat the Odds ]
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John Scarne. Scarne’s Complete Guide to Gambling. Simon and Schuster, New York; 1961, 1974, 1986. (900 pages) – Not recommended except as noted below. A poor and inaccurate treatment of blackjack. However, Scarne’s material on the other casino games is commendable. In addition, there is good material regarding the history of blackjack here. Regarded by many as an expert on gambling games, John Scarne (real name Orlando Carmelo Scarecchia) made a name for himself investigating and teaching American servicemen during World War II. He later served as a consultant to a number of casinos. Although very knowledgeable in the various gambling games, Frank Scarne regrettably did not accept the facts and theories propounded by Dr. Ed Thorp. John Scarne died July 7, 1985, in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 82 years old. [ 9/85 Snyder John Scarne Dead at 82 BJF 30 ] [ AMAZON: Scarne’s Complete Guide to Gambling ]
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John Scarne. Scarne’s Encyclopedia of Games. Harper and Row, New York; 1973. (15 pages – BJ section only) – Good material on the history of blackjack and the rules of the private game. However, Scarne presents a inaccurate basic strategy and poor advice on play and card counting (or as Scarne says, “…… blackjack chicanery ….“) [ AMAZON: Scarne’s Encyclopedia of Games ]
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John Scarne. Scarne’s Guide to Casino Gambling. Simon and Schuster, New York; c1978. (352 pages) – Blackjack section is not recommended. [ AMAZON: Scarne’s Guide to Casino Gambling ]
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Frank Scoblete. Guerrilla Gambling. Bonus Books; 1993. (340 pages) – Recommended with reservations. A good job in the presentation of information on most of the casino games now offered in casinos around the world. The blackjack section includes a good introduction to the game, basic strategy and card counting. I recommend that you “don’t” read this book if you are a beginner. Experienced card counters may find useful tactics and camouflage advice here. Just ignore Scoblete’s short run ideas. [ Winter 1994 BJR 3.1 ] [ AMAZON: Guerrilla Gambling by Frank Scoblete ]
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Michael Shackleford. Gambling 102. Huntington Press; 2005, Dec 17, 2019. (248 pages, 260 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. Subtitled, The Best Strategies for All Casino Games – Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Slots, Video Poker and more. Plenty of gambling books explain how to play the games; that’s Gambling 101. Gambling 102 takes you to the next stage, where you’re playing the games in the best manner for the least amount of effort. Within these pages, gambling’s “Wizard of Odds” provides the best strategies possible—along with the easiest learning curve—for all the casino games, from baccarat to video poker, from sic-bo to sports betting. This is one of my favorite introductory advantage play books. [ BJRNET: Gambling 102 1st Edition ] [ AMAZON: Gambling 102 1st Edition ] [ AMAZON: Gambling 102 2nd Edition ]
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Edwin Silberstang. The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling. Penguin, Inc / Holt Paperbacks; 1980, 2005. (363, 480, 516 pages) – Very good. Recommended. The 1980 edition included a good 74 page blackjack chapter that covered the basics of the game through the fundamentals of card counting. In the advertising for the 2005 edition: The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling has been completely revised and expanded to include new rules and strategies for every major game in the casino, including several popular new ones. This entirely updated fourth edition remains the most authoritative and comprehensive book in its field, bringing gambling expert Edwin Silberstang’s professional secrets and expertise into the twenty-first-century casino. [ AMAZON: The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling ]
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Sidney Silverstone. A Player’s Guide to Casino Games. Grosset & Dunlap, New York; 1981. (155 pages) – Review TBD. Also includes material on roulette, baccarat and craps. [ AMAZON: Player’s Guide to Casino Games ]
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David Sklansky. Getting the Best of It. 1982, 1989. (248 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. Sections on probability, the mathematics of gambling, general gambling concepts, poker, blackjack, the key card concept, and other gambling games including sports and horse betting. Written by a pro who, at one time, made his living playing poker and blackjack. Concentrates primarily on poker, blackjack, progressive slots, and casino promotions. Excellent stuff! See book under Mason Malmuth. [ 3/83, 9/89 Snyder BJF ] [ 80 Profile of a Top Poker Theorist… C&S Vol.11,66 ] [ 82 Friedman C&S Vol.21,46 ] [ 83 Griffin C&S Vol.22,8 ] [ BJRNET: Getting the Best of It ] [ AMAZON: Getting the Best of It ]
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David Spanier. The Pocket Guide to Gambling. Simon & Schuster / Mitchell Beazley; 1980, 1986 (144 pages) – Review TBD. Also includes material on roulette, craps, baccarat and poker. [ AMAZON: Pocket Guide to Gambling ]
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Peter Svoboda. Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game. Square One Publishers; 2001. (288 pages) – Not recommended. I’ll take Arnold Snyder’s advice on this book: “This is the worst blackjack strategy I have ever seen published anywhere!“ [ Dec 00 Snyder BJF 112 ] [ AMAZON: Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game ]
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Henry Tamburin. Henry Tamburin on Casino Gambling. Research Services, Unltd.; 1988, 1998. (304 pages) – Very Good. Recommended. Subtitled, The Best of the Best. A general guidebook with solid advice on casino gambling for the recreational player. Blackjack chapter is 103 pages. A selection of the best articles from one of the games most prolific writers. Each concise, easy to understand article contains helpful advice that will make you a more confident, informed player. [ 12/88 Snyder BJF 50 ] [ 81 Patterson Blackjack: A Winner’s Handbook 169 ] [ BJRNET: Henry Tamburin on Casino Gambling ] [ AMAZON: Henry Tamburin on Casino Gambling ]
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Edward O. Thorp. A Man for All Markets. Random House; January 24, 2017. (416 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. Subtitled, From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market. The foreword is by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and begins as follows: “Ed Thorp memoirs read like a thriller –mixing wearable computers that would have made James Bond proud, shady characters, great scientists and poisoning attempts (in addition to the sabotage of Ed’s car so he would have an “accident” in the desert). The book will reveal a thorough, rigorous, methodical person in search of life, knowledge, financial security, and, not least, fun. … “. See Beat the Dealer. [ FOREWORD ] [ AMAZON: A Man for All Markets ]
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Edward O. Thorp. The Mathematics of Gambling. Gambling Times / Lyle Stuart, Hollywood, CA; 1984. (161 pages) – Good. Recommended. Short 18 page blackjack chapter with some system evaluations and effects of dealers’ dealing seconds and the effect of missing cards in a deck or shoe. Good bet-sizing advice. See Beat the Dealer. [ 6/85 Snyder BJF 46 ] [ AMAZON: Mathematics of Gambling ]
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Beth Anne Uston. Hit Me! The Inside, Untold Story of Legendary Blackjack Player Ken Uston. – Review TBD. From the advertising: “Ken lived a life few could imagine—and even fewer truly understood. Brilliant, restless, and endlessly curious, he crossed borders both literal and personal, leaving behind stories, contradictions, and unanswered questions.” [ kenustononblackjack.com ]
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Olaf Vancura. SMART Casino Gambling. Index Publishing; 1996. (334 pages) – Outstanding. Highly recommended. In my opinion, one of the best introductory texts on casino gambling ever written. Contains a 64 page section on blackjack. Robert (Bobby) Baldwin, President & CEO of the Mirage Casino at the time, said “I can honestly say that Smart Casino Gambling is the best book on casino gambling that I have ever read.” [ Win 96 Dalton BJR 5.1 ] [ AMAZON: Smart Casino Gambling ]
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Frank R. Wallace. Neocheating, the Unbeatable Weapon in Poker, Blackjack, Bridge, & Gin. I & O Publishing / Amazon Services; 1980, 2014 (166 pages) – Not recommended. Neocheating is simple card mechanics and is cheating. [ 82 Snyder BJF ] [ AMAZON: Neocheating ]
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Allan N. Wilson. The Casino Gambler’s Guide. Harper & Row, New York; 1965, 1970. (320 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. A classic. Includes Wilson’s point count system. Must reading for those interested in early blackjack strategy developments. The first knowledgeable treatment of gambler’s ruin, the Kelly criterion, betting progressions and strategies. [ AMAZON: The Casino Gambler’s Guide ]
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Stanford Wong. Casino Tournament Strategy. Pi Yee Press, La Jolla, CA; 1992. (256 pages) – Excellent. Highly recommended. This book replaces his earlier published books Tournament Blackjack and Tournament Craps. Includes the best tournament playing strategies available anywhere for blackjack, craps, baccarat and keno. The blackjack section now includes material on match-play tournaments. Getting an edge in a tournament for the most part means correct money management, i.e., betting the right amounts at the right times. In blackjack tournaments it also means proper playing strategy, including playing some hands differently in certain situations than in a regular blackjack game. This book explains it all. Anthony Curtis, publisher of Las Vegas Advisor, says: “Tournament play offers a greater opportunity for profit than any other gambling activity available today. I’ve won a lot of money at tournaments applying the techniques outlined in Wong’s book. My biggest tournament wins to date are $125,000 at craps, $76,000 at blackjack, and $50,000 at keno.“ [ 9/92 Snyder BJF ] [ Fall 92 Dalton BJR 18 ] [ BJRNET: Casino Tournament Strategy ] [ AMAZON: Casino Tournament Strategy ]
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