Books with Blackjack Sections

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Beat the OddsJ. Edward Allen. Beat the Odds. Cardoza Publishing, New York; 1987 – 2000. (320 pages)
Thumbs Up– Good. Recommended. Subtitled, How to Win at Gambling. Contains sections on blackjack, craps, video poker, poker, keno, slots and roulette. A correct basic strategy is included and a good description of the rules of the game and how to play. Revised several times. Just ignore the advertising about non-counting advantage techniques.
[ AMAZON: Beat the Odds ]

Beat the CasinoFrank Barstow. Beat the Casino. Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster, New York; c1979, 1984, 1986. (220 pages)
Thumbs Up– Recommended. Subtitled, The definitive guide to playing and winning at craps, blackjack, baccarat, and roulette. Only recommended if you want to know all about the various betting systems. Originally published at Santa Monica, CA; Carlyle Associates, 1979.
[ AMAZON: Beat the Casino ]

American Casino GuideSteve Bourie. American Casino Guide XXXX Edition. Casino Vacations Press. (Approx 400 pages) Published every year.
star– Very good. Recommended. From the advertising: … provides casino-goers with money-saving, detailed information that can be helpful for both seasoned casino veterans, as well as first-time casino visitors. The guide provides detailed information on more than 750 casino/resorts, riverboats and Indian casinos in 41 states, including room rates, buffet prices, casino games offered and any special features. The book also has maps of all casino locations, plus detailed information on the best strategies for playing the major casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, slots and video poker. Also lots and lots of coupons!
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ AMAZON: American Casino Guide by Steve Bourie ]

How to Win at GamblingAvery Cardoza. How to Win at Gambling. Cardoza Publishing; ~1994 … 2007 (320 / 448 pages)
Thumbs Up– Very good. Recommended. An honest and intelligent approach to all the major gambling games including blackjack (54 pages), craps, baccarat, roulette, slots, horse racing, video poker, cho dai di, the wheel of fortune, keno, sports betting, bingo and poker. Newer editions feature a new and expanded section on poker including tournaments, no-limit hold’em, limit hold’em cash games, Omaha, and online play.
[ AMAZON: How to Win at Gambling ]

Image Not AvailablePhillip H. Clymer. From the Dealer’s Side. Gaming Knowledge Network; 1984 (68 pages)
Review TBD. Subtitled, A Unique Guide for Playing Craps, 21, and Roulette, Written for the Novice by an Experienced Dealer. An introduction to the games with pretty pictures.
[ AMAZON: From the Dealer’s Side ]

Behind the Black Dome

T. Dane. Behind the Black Dome: An Advantage Players Guide to Casino Surveillance; Spiral Bound, 2012 (184 pages)
Thumbs Up– Recommended. According to the advertising: Contents include Surveillance Operations, Surveillance Radar: Tells and Triggers, Longevity vs. Notoriety, Player Toleration, Skills Check: Profiles and Breakdowns, Playing with Information, Surveillance Q&A, NRS 465, Regulation 5 and a Bibliography. A great addition to your advantage play library and a definite must have for the serious blackjack card counter. Get inside the mind of what many AP’s (Advantage Players) would label as the “enemy”. Written by a former casino surveillance operator. Michael Shackleford gives this a good review and comments, “… explains how surveillance thinks and what they look for to catch advantage players.”  Cost is a bit high at $90!
[ AMAZON: BEHIND THE BLACK DOME ]

Casino Clues and Bluelprint for BlackjackJohn M. Davidson. Casino Clues and Blueprint for Blackjack – A Gambler’s Guide to Survival or Success. Townsville, Australia; 1986 (78 pages)
Thumbs Up / Down– Not recommended. Includes sections on Wheels, Keno, Dice, Sic-Boo, Two Up, Craps, Heads & Tails, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Stars & Bars. Written in and for the games of Australia.

Casino SupervisionPeter G. Demos Jr. Casino Supervision: A Basic Guide. CSI Press / Panzer Press; 1983, 1991 (204 pages)
Thumbs Up– Good. Recommended. Interesting blackjack game protection section (p.88-94). Includes a good glossary of casino terms.
[ AMAZON: Casino Supervision: A Basic Guide ]

Image Not AvailableRoy Ward Dickson. How to Win at Roulette and Blackjack. Wolfe, London; 1975. (192 pages)
Review TBD.
[ AMAZON: How to Win at Roulette and Blackjack ]

Theory of Gambling and Statistical LogicRichard A. Epstein. The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic. Academic Press / Elsevier; 1977, 2013. (450 pages)
star– Excellent. Highly recommended. An exhaustive treatment on blackjack theory and statistics and other gambling games. Eleven major sections cover probability, statistics, game theory, principles of gambling theory, casino games, dice and card games, including blackjack and poker. Review by Edward Thorp: “This special edition remains the comprehensive unified mathematical treatment for a wide range of games of chance and skill. It includes the counter-intuitive Parrondo’s paradox: a winning strategy can result from switching between losing games. An entertainment for all who read it, a text for innovative university courses, and a reference for those concerned with probability and game theory“.
[ AMAZON: The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic ]

Casino Game ProtectionSteve Forte. Casino Game Protection: A Comprehensive Guide. SLF Publishing; 2004. (627 pages)
star– Outstanding. Highly recommended. This amazing book is the culmination of almost 30 years of research into casino cheating, advantage play, electronic player assistance, and related gambling activities . If it was made, designed, worked out, played, or dreamed of, and had anything to do with beating the casino — legally or otherwise — it’s probably discussed in this book. Includes almost 500 color photographs and 194 pages devoted to blackjack. Other chapters are included on craps, roulette, baccarat, poker, and other table games. This book is well worth the high price. Stanford Wong says, “Saying you like a book so much you can’t put it down may be trite, but in the case of Forte’s new Casino Game Protection, it was true for me. Forte’s depth of knowledge on beating casino games is amazing. Much material in the book has never before been published, to my knowledge. MORE INFO / CONTENTS
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ AMAZON: Casino Game Protection ]
[ COVER  IMAGE ]

Image Not AvailableElliot Fried. The Weekend Gambler’s Guide to Las Vegas. Deep River Press, Downey, CA; 1980 (144 pages)
Review TBD.
[ AMAZON: Weekend Gambler’s Guide to Las Vegas ]

Gambling Guide to Information SourcesJack Gardner. Gambling: A Guide to Information Sources. Gale Research / Cengage Learning; (Feb 1, 1980) (286 pages)
Thumbs Up
– Recommended. Subtitled, Sports, Games, and Pastimes. Information Guide Series. According to Stanford Wong, this book had accurate reviews of almost all books, papers, manuals, magazines, newsletters, etc. published before the middle of 1978 that dealt with any phase of gambling. The index alone was 32 pages. Jack Irving Gardner, born Oct 7, 1934, passed away on April 23, 2019, in Reno, Nevada.
[ 2/81 Wong BJW 34 ]
[ OBITUARY ]
[ AMAZON: Gambling: A Guide to Information Sources ]

Attack the Casino's Vulnerable GamesJohn Gollehon. Attack the Casino’s Vulnerable Games. Cardoza Publishing; 2006, 2012 (243 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. Includes what Gollehon calls the Imperial II Count Strategy where you only keep track of the small cards. From the advertising: “… players learn Gollehon’s patented assault technique; in video poker, how to increase royals by 20 percent; in hold‘em, the solid strategies for average players to win money; in craps, the money bets and how to squeeze the most profit from them; and in games prone to betting systems, the complete Power Progressive strategy.” A betting system! I don’t think so.  In my opinion, the Imperial II Count is a waste of time.  John Thomas Gollehon (born Jul 21, 1946) passed away on Jun 20, 2018).
[ AMAZON: Attack the Casino’s Vulnerable Games ]

Commando Craps and BlackjackJohn Gollehon. Commando Craps and Blackjack. Cardoza Publishing; 2001, 2012 (144 / 176 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. From the advertising: “Gollehon shows beginning and intermediate players how to beat the casinos’ two most vulnerable table games. Players learn how to strike blackjack and craps like a commando, staging quick raids and extracting money out of the casino in planned blitz sessions. He reveals the secrets of blitzing and timing and how to use the bomb strategy for high frequency and big wins at the dice tables, and the full Imperial II count, for beating the casino at blackjack.”  In my opinion, the Imperial II Count is a waste of time.  John Thomas Gollehon (born Jul 21, 1946) passed away on Jun 20, 2018).
[ AMAZON: Commando Craps and Blackjack by John Gollehon ]

What Casinos Don't Want You to KnowJohn Gollehon. What Casinos Don’t Want You to Know. Gollehon Books / Cardoza Publishing; 1999, 2004, 2012 (180, ???, 131 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. Subtitled, Inside Winning Strategies to Get the Edge at the Casino! From the advertising, “This powerful book reveals insider secrets professionals use to win. These are the very same strategies and inside tips that casinos don’t want players to know. John Gollehon reveals the six secrets of winning, the five most common mistakes made by gamblers, the casino’s four most vulnerable games, and the three traits that separate professional players from the average loser.” If you enjoy reading about someone rambling on about gambling this is the book for you. Quitting when you are ahead is not a winning strategy but probably good advice for the gambler!  Some good common sense advice but a betting system is not a winning strategy either!  John Thomas Gollehon (born Jul 21, 1946) passed away on Jun 20, 2018).
[ AMAZON: What Casinos Don’t Want You to Know ]

How to Win at CardsMike Goodman. How to Win at Cards, Dice, Races, Roulette. Holloway House / Literary Licensing; 1963, 1970, 2013. (222, 237 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. Illustrated by Monte Rogers. Foreword by Leo Guild. From the advertising, “How To Win At Cards, 21 And Poker, Dice, Races, Roulette.
[AMAZON: How to Win at Cards… ]

Your Best BetMike Goodman and Michael J. Goodman. Your Best Bet. Brooke House / Ballantine Books; 1975, 1976 (267, 274 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. Subtitled, How to Play and Win at Baccarat, The New 21, Roulette, and Dice. However, includes some interesting stories about supposed card counters The Omaha Kid, Mr. K, Goldberg and Toothless. Goodman admits that it is true – card counting can beat casinos but only if you’re allowed to play. He doesn’t recommend you learn a system.
[ AMAZON: Your Best Bet ]

Go With the OddsCharles H. Goren. Go With the Odds – A Guide to Successful Gambling. Macmillan Publishing; 1969 (308 pages)
Thumbs Up / Down– Not recommended. Subtitled, “Best bets and winning plays at card games, casino games, sporting events, and lotteries.” Includes an 8 page blackjack section not worth anything to the serious player. Goren calls card counters, “casedown players”… as in to “case the deck”
[ AMAZON: Go With the Odds… ]

PICPeter Griffin. Extra Stuff – Gambling Ramblings. Huntington Press; 1991 (176 pages)
Thumbs Up– Very good. Recommended. Covers a wide range of ideas and concepts related to gambling and gaining an advantage. His paper Mathematical Expectation for the Public’s Play in Casino Blackjack is included in its entirety. Much of this material has been presented before in Casino & Sports magazine and Blackjack Forum. Peter Griffin has explored the mathematics of gambling for more than two decades. Extra Stuff is a collection of his most famous magazine articles and papers. Extra Stuff addresses many of gambling’s abstract concepts-proportional wagering, considerations for games with variable payoffs, the effects of rebates on losses-as well as more mainstream subjects, such as the casino’s treatment of hold percentages and analyses of gambling systems. You’ll also find book reviews, quizzes, letters to the editors of gambling periodicals-a virtual kitchen-sink-full of gambling information found nowhere else. Extra Stuff-Gambling Ramblings is packed with mathematics, but Griffin’s easy style accommodates most readers. Peter Griffin died from cancer at the age of 61 on Oct. 18, 1998.
[9/91 Snyder BJF 50]
[ BJRNET: blackjackreview.com/wp/catalog/gambling-books-other/ ]
[ AMAZON: Extra Stuff: Gambling Ramblings ]

Beyond CountingJames Grosjean. Beyond Counting. RGE Publishing; 2000. (224 pages)
star.gif– Outstanding. Subtitled, Exploiting Casino Games from Blackjack to Video Poker. This is an advanced text aimed at working pros and those who seriously strive to be a pro. There is quite a bit of math in this book with some being advanced. Grosjean also discusses innumerable psychological factors of the game that ALL SERIOUS BIG MONEY PLAYERS should read. According to Arnold Snyder, who is the publisher, this book “firmly establishes James Grosjean as an expert on casino gambling, and he is at the upper echelon of his expertise.” Donald Schlesinger comments, “Beyond Counting written by newcomer James Grosjean is brilliant. I predict that Grosjean will be with us for a long time and that Beyond Counting will be hailed by the critics as one of the finest and most innovative gambling works ever publishedEditor note:Excellent stuff. One of the best books on advantage play I have ever studied.”
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ Review by Arnold Snyder ] [ Table of Contents ]
[ AMAZON: Beyond Counting ]

James Grosjean. Beyond Counting Exhibit CAAExhibit CAA: Beyond Counting. South Side Advantage Press; 2009. (669 pages)
star.gif– Outstanding. Subtitled, Exploiting Casino Games from Blackjack to Video Poker. This exhaustive masterpiece goes beyond his original work but includes everything in the original edition. Originally priced at $250. If you can’t find a copy for under $1000 or so, it is available for review in the University of Las Vegas Gaming Resource Center special collections section. Plan to spend the day there 🙂 There are many accolades for this book. Here is one: “James Grosjean enjoys the theoretical challenge of trying to beat games, and he also is a skilled practitioner who, when he finds an edge, cashes in. Exhibit CAA is a distillation of the theoretical knowledge he has acquired in analyzing not only blackjack but many other games. … As part of the book’s special bounty, you will find hidden nuggets of information throughout. Read carefully, reread, and enjoy.” – Edward O. Thorp.
[ apheat.net/2012/10/12/james-grosjean ]
[ cigaraficionado.com/article/the-game-killer-9203 ]
[ wired.co.uk/article/casino-killers ]

Exhibit CAA ?

In April 2000, James Grosjean and Michael Russo were hole-carding at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  After winning about $18,000, the players were accused of bending cards, arrested and jailed.  Grosjean was held in a Las Vegas jail for over 4 days despite no charges ever being filed.  Bob Nersesian defended Grosjean and Russo and won unanimous jury verdicts plus punitive damages against Caesars Palace, the Griffin Detective Agency and Imperial Palace (for a subsequent incident in which Grosjean was handcuffed, detained and searched despite not even playing). 

The jury awarded compensatory and punitive damages of over $500,000 plus attorney costs.  The first edition of Beyond Counting was entered into evidence in the trial.  The court labeled the book “Exhibit CAA”.  The letter “C” indicated that the defendant Caesars introduced the evidence and “AA” because it was the first exhibit.

CASE NO. A442687

World's Greatest Gambling SystemsLeo Guild. The World’s Greatest Gambling Systems. Sirkay Publishing Co., Los Angeles, CA; 1966, 1970 (98 pages)
Thumbs Up
– 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 ]

Leo Guild. The World’s Greatest Winning Systems. Holloway House Publishing Co., Los Angeles, CA; 1978 (219 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Casino MathRobert C. Hannum and Anthony N. Cabot. Practical Casino Math. Trace Publications; 2005. (300 pages)
star.gif– 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 ]

Advanced Advantage PlayEliot Jacobson. Advanced Advantage Play. Blue Point Books; 2015, 2020. (475 pages)
star.gif
– 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.
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ AMAZON: Advanced Advantage Play ]

Contemporary Casino Table Game DesignEliot Jacobson. Contemporary Casino Table Game Design, Blue Point Books; 2015. (442 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Oswald Jacoby on GamblingOswald Jacoby. Oswald Jacoby on Gambling. Hart Publishing; 1963 (210 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]
[ WIKI: Oswald Jacoby ]

Image Not AvailableJimmy “The Scot” Jordan. Learn How to Play Blackjack and Baccarat and Win. Self published; 1987 (47 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. Contains inaccurate advice.
[ AMAZON: Learn How to Play Blackjack… ]

Image Not AvailableRex 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. ???

The Perfect BetThumbs UpAdam 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 ]

Beat the HouseFrederick Lembeck. Beat the House. Citadel Press / CIPP; 1995, 2014 (183 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Learning Simulation Techniques...Pat Macaluso. Learning Simulation Techniques on a Microcomputer Playing Blackjack and Other Monte Carlo Games. Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA; 1983 (139 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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… ]

Gambler's DigestClement McQuaid (editor). Gambler’s Digest: The World’s Greatest Gambling Book. Digest Books / DBI Books; 1971, 1981 (320 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Gambling for a LivingMason Malmuth and David Sklansky. Gambling For a Living. Two Plus Two Publishing; 1987, 1988, 1990, 1997, 1998 (305 pages)
star– 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 ]

Gambling TheoryMason Malmuth. Gambling Theory and Other Topics. Two Plus Two Publishing; 1987, 1988, 1990, 2004. (397 pages)
star– 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 ]

Gambling Systems That WinLen 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 ]

Casino HolidayJacques Noir. Casino Holiday. Oxford Street Press, Berkeley, CA; 1968, 1970. (201 pages)
Thumbs Up– Good. Recommended. A simple unbalanced count that he calls the One-Two Count is presented. Excellent graphics for the time.
[ AMAZON: Casino Holiday ]

Can You Win?Mike Orkin. Can You Win? W. H. Freeman and Co., New York; 1991. (181 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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? ]

Darwin Ortiz On Casino GamblingDarwin Ortiz. Darwin Ortiz on Casino Gambling. Dodd, Mead & Company, New York; 1986. (268 pages)
star– 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 ]

Mathematics of Games and GamblingEdward 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 ]

Casino Gambler's Winning EdgeJerry Patterson and Nancy Patterson. The Casino Gambler’s Winning Edge at Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Video Poker, Echelon Gaming, Voorhees, NJ; 1989. (153 pages)
Thumbs Up– Not recommended. Primarily written by the Pattersons to advertise their Casino Gambler’s Network and the TARGET methods.
[ AMAZON: Casino Gambler’s Winning Edge ]

Casino Gambling: A Winner's GuideJerry Patterson. Casino Gambling: A Winner’s Guide to Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Casino Poker , Berkley Publishing; 2000. (240 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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… ]

Casino Gambling Winning Techniques

Jerry Patterson and Walter Jaye. Casino Gambling: Winning Techniques for Craps, Roulette, Baccarat & Blackjack. Perigee / Putnam Pub. Group, New York; 1982. (224 pages)|
Thumbs Up– Good. Recommended. Written before Patterson started promoting his TARGET methods.
[ AMAZON: Casino Gambling: Winning Techniques… ]

The Key to Roulette, Blackjack, One-Armed BanditsSidney 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… ]

Winning at Casino GamblingTerence Reese. Winning at Casino Gambling: An International Guide. Sterling Publishing Co, New York; 1978. (128 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Winning at Casino GamingRouge et Noir Staff. Winning at Casino Gaming. Rouge Et Noir; 1975 (340 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

21 Wins: The Gambler's EdgeJere 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 ]

Beat the OddsHans 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 ]

Scarne's New Complete Guide to GamblingJohn 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 Thumbs Up / Downmaterial 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 ]

Scarne's Encyclopedia of GamesJohn Scarne. Scarne’s Encyclopedia of Games. Harper and Row, New York; 1973. (15 pages – BJ section only)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Scarne's Guide to Casino GamblingJohn Scarne. Scarne’s Guide to Casino Gambling. Simon and Schuster, New York; c1978. (352 pages)
Thumbs Up– Blackjack section is not recommended.
[ AMAZON: Scarne’s Guide to Casino Gambling ]

Guerrilla GamblingFrank Scoblete. Guerrilla Gambling. Bonus Books; 1993. (340 pages)
Thumbs Up / Down– 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 ]

Gambling 102Michael Shackleford. Gambling 102. Huntington Press; 2005, Dec 17, 2019. (248 pages, 260 pages)
star– 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.
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ BJRNET: Gambling 102 ] 1st Edition
[ AMAZON: Gambling 102 ] 1st Edition
[ AMAZON: Gambling 102 ] 2nd Edition

Winner's Guide to Casino GamblingEdwin Silberstang. The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling. Penguin, Inc / Holt Paperbacks; 1980, 2005. (363, 480, 516 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Image Not AvailableSidney 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 ]

Getting the Best of ItDavid Sklansky. Getting the Best of It. 1982, 1989. (248 pages)
star
– 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.
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ 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: blackjackreview.com/wp/catalog/gambling-books-other/ ]
[ AMAZON: Getting the Best of It ]

Pocket Guide to GamblingDavid 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 ]

Beating the Casinos at Their Own GamePeter Svoboda. Beating the Casinos at Their Own Game. Square One Publishers; 2001. (288 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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 ]

Henry Tamburin on Casino GamblingHenry Tamburin. Henry Tamburin on Casino Gambling. Research Services, Unltd.; 1988, 1998. (304 pages)
Thumbs Up 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: blackjackreview.com/wp/catalog/gambling-books-other/ ]
[ AMAZON: Henry Tamburin on Casino Gambling ]

A Man for All MarketsEdward O. ThorpA Man for All Markets. Random House; January 24, 2017. (416 pages)
Thumbs Up– 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.
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ FOREWORD ]
[ AMAZON: A Man for All Markets ]

The Mathematics of GamblingEdward O. Thorp. The Mathematics of Gambling. Gambling Times / Lyle Stuart, Hollywood, CA; 1984. (161 pages)
Thumbs Up
– 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 ]

Smart Casino GamblingOlaf Vancura. SMART Casino Gambling. Index Publishing; 1996. (334 pages)
star– 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.”
Highly Recommended - Buy Now![ Win 96 Dalton BJR 5.1 ]
[ AMAZON: Smart Casino Gambling ]

NeocheatingFrank R. Wallace. Neocheating, the Unbeatable Weapon in Poker, Blackjack, Bridge, & Gin. I & O Publishing / Amazon Services; 1980, 2014 (166 pages)
Thumbs Up
– Not recommended. Neocheating is simple card mechanics and is cheating.
[ 82 Snyder BJF ]
[ AMAZON: Neocheating ]

The Casino Gambler's GuideAllan N. Wilson. The Casino Gambler’s Guide. Harper & Row, New York; 1965, 1970. (320 pages)
star– 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 ]

PICStanford Wong. Casino Tournament Strategy. Pi Yee Press, La Jolla, CA; 1992. (256 pages)
star.gif
– 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 ]

BOOKS WITH NO AUTHOR MENTIONED

Finding the EdgeFinding the Edge: Mathematical Analysis of Casino Games. Edited by Olaf Vancura, Judy Cornelius and William R. Eadington. University of Nevada, Reno; 2000. (441 pages)
Thumbs Up– Recommended. This is a compilation of the math papers from the 1994 Gambling Conference in Montreal and 1997 in Las Vegas. The book has six sections.
[ Spr 00 Snyder BJF 110 ]
[ AMAZON: Finding the Edge ]

Las Vegas Gambling InstructionsLas Vegas Gambling Instructions. C & R Co.; c1973. (45 pages)
Review TBD. Subtitled, How to Play – Blackjack or 21, Keno, Slot Machines, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps. Previously published as Gambling for the Beginner – Las Vegas.
[ AMAZON: Las Vegas Gambling Instructions ]

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