On this day in 1977, five two-man teams fanned out through the Las Vegas casinos.  They were part of the Uston-Taft team and wore concealed blackjack computers.  Then on May 11....

On this day in 1977, casino operators in Lake Tahoe, Nevada detained several Uston-Taft team players wearing  a concealed blackjack computer.  Although originally charged with "bunco steering", the devices were later determined to be "legal". [ UNLV GAMING LAW JOURNAL ]

On this day in 1979, Atlantic City began what is now referred to as the "Early Surrender Experiment" or the "AC Counter Convention".  It lasted two weeks as card counters pounded the Resorts International Casino.

On this day in 1994, Arnold Snyder quit his Oakland, California Post Office job.   Snyder was the publisher of Blackjack Forum - which was published from 1981 - 2004.

On this day in 2009, Michael Dalton retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  Dalton is the author of the Encyclopedia of Blackjack and editor of the Blackjack Review web site.

On this day in 1996, Norm Wattenberger's website QFIT.com was registered.  Norm is the author of Casino Verite, software that would evolve over the years to become one of the most popular tools for the professional blackjack player.

On this day in 1996, Stanford Wong's BJ21.com domain name was registered.

On this day in 1996, Arnold Snyder's RGE21.com domain name was registered.

On this day in 1996, Michael Dalton's Blackjack Review Network web site was launched.

On this day in 1996, Michael Dalton's Blackjack Review Network registered the BJRnet.com domain name.   In 2016, a move was made to an improved and more secure WordPress site using the BlackjackReview.com domain.

On this day  in 1997, Michael Shackleford created "Mike's Gambling Page" on the Internet.  This would later become the WizardOfOdds.com web site.

On this day in 1998, Ken Smith's BlackjackInfo.com web site was registered.

On this day in 1998, Michael Shackleford registered his WizardofOdds.com web site domain name.

On this day in 1998, the first Blackjack Review Network "player" blacklist was created.

On this day in 1999, the Yahoo Group Card Counter's Cafe' was founded.  This was formerly a large public Internet forum for the discussion of blackjack and card counting.

On this day in 2001, the GameMaster's Blackjack School instruction was made available on the Blackjack Review Network.

On this day in 2005, the Encyclopedia of Blackjack on BJRnet.com (now BlackjackReview.com) was given free access.  Previously, it was only available to members.

On this day in 2007, Colin and Ben's BlackjackApprenticeship.com website was registered.

On this day in 2009, Michael Shackleford's WizardOfVegas.com web site was launched.

On this day in 2012, Norm Wattenberger registered the BlackjackTheForum.com domain name.

On this day in 2012, Eliot Jacobson's APHeat.net web site domain name was registered.

On this day in 2014, all Blackjack Review Network message forums were archived. [ WEB ARCHIVE ]

On this day in 2016, the BJRnet.com web site began the transition to BlackjackReview.com and was moved to a new improved server at SiteGround.com. 

On this day in 2016, the Blackjack History Database was created on the Blackjack Review Network site.

On this day in 2020, Michael Dalton registered the BlackjackHistory.com domain name.

On this day in 1856, Prince Florestan I of Monaco grants Napoléon Langlois and Albert Aubert a concession to build and run a bathing establishment and casino.

On this day in 1933, Joe Russell opened Sloppy Joe's In Key West, Florida. Originally called the Blind Pig and renamed the Silver Slipper when a dance floor and gambling was added.  Ernest Hemmingway was one of its famous patrons. 

On this day in 1951, Nevada Test Site conducts first nuclear weapons test only 65 miles from downtown Las Vegas.

On this day in 1957, the first group meeting of Gamblers Anonymous was held, in Los Angeles, California.

On this day in 1959, a roulette table at the El San Juan Hotel and Casino in Puerto Rico lands the ball at "10" six times in a row, the first recorded time of this occurrence.

On this day in 1964, and as a reaction to Ed Thorp's book, Las Vegas casinos jointly imposed a new set of blackjack rules: No splitting of Aces and restricting doubling to 11 only.   Casino profits plummeted forcing the new rules to be rescinded within a month. [ Las Vegas Review-Journal ]

On this day in 1966, Howard Hughes rented out the top two floors of the Las Vegas Desert Inn.  He would later buy this property.

On this day in 1967, Howard Hughes buys the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, from Moe Dalitz for $13.2 million.

On this day in 1970, Johnny Moss won the 1st Annual World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas.

On this day in Las Vegas in 1974, Bob Stupak's World Famous Historic Gambling Museum burned down when an air conditioner caught fire.  This would later become the location of Vegas World.

On this day in 1978, the first World Championship of Blackjack (WCB) Tournament was held at the Sahara Hotel and Casino where 1408 players competed for the honor of being titled "best blackjack player" .

On this day (approx) in 1979, Bob Stupak's Vegas World introduced Double Exposure 21.  In this blackjack variation, the dealer's hole card is exposed.

On this day in 1979, Atlantic City rescinded the rule allowing card counters to play unhindered -- which they had been for the last 13 days.   

On this day in 1980, Bob Stupak opened the Glitter Gulch strip club in downtown Las Vegas.

In May of 1981, the Early Surrender option was suspended in Atlantic City. However, card counters would have 2 days in July to enjoy it again, when it was reinstated temporarily. [ 08/30/81 Washington Post ]

In July of 1981, and for 2 days only,  the Early Surrender option was temporarily reinstated in Atlantic City. [ 08/30/81 Washington Post ]

On this day in 1981, Arnold Snyder's First Church of Blackjack was inaugurated at Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, NV. 

On this day in 1983,  Joe Marquis ends a record-breaking 109-hour session dealing poker at the Edgewater Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, entering the Guiness Book of World Records.

In February of 1984, it was reported that Don Schlesinger and Ken Feldman had sold their blackjack instructor franchise back to Jerry Patterson.  Reason: Studies could not prove that TARGET worked.  [ 2/84 Wong Blackjack World 28 ]

On this day (approx) in 1986, Donald Schlesinger coined the term the The Illustrious 18.   His study suggested that using only 18 play variations counted for over 90% of a card counter's gain from making play variations.

On this day (approx) in 1986, John Leib proposed an alternative bet sizing criterion (as opposed to the Kelly Criterion).   This would be coined the Leib Criterion.

On this day in 1987, the Bishop of the First Church of Blackjack (Arnold Snyder) gave a sermon sponsored by Ballys Reno. [ YouTube ]

On this day in 1989, the online Usenet message board group rec.gambling was approved.  One week later it was created and made available.   [ Encyclopedia of Blackjack ]

On this day in 1991 (approx), the first gathering of BARGE (Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion) began.  BARGE was a yearly convention for rec.gambling members.

On this day in 1993, the Las Vegas Tropicana Casino became the first customer of the software Blackjack Survey Voice.  This software could help casinos identify card counters.

On this day, a provisional US Patent was submitted for the game of Spanish 21 by Richard and Kurt Lofink.  Final patent was issued Apr 1, 1997.

On this day in 1995, the $70 Million Fremont Street Experience opens.

On this day in 1996, the Las Vegas Klondike Hotel and Casino was the host of a "Surprise Party" after Stanford Wong discovered they were offering a rule called "Free Ride" -- giving players a 1.32% edge off the top without card counting!  The party lasted 8 hours.

On this day in 1997, Mike Tyson bites Evander Holyfield's ear during the WBA Heavyweight Boxing Championship fight in Las Vegas. - (Wikipedia.com)

On this day in 1997, the online Usenet message board group rec.gambling.blackjack.moderated was voted on and approved.   Moderators included Abdul Jalib and Michael Solinas.  [43 Blackjack Review Vol 7, Issue 1]

On this day in 2003, Roy Horn (of Siegfried & Roy) was seriously injured from a white tiger attack at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas.

On this day in 2005, Victor Nacht of RGE, hosted the 1st annual Halloween Blackjack Ball. 

On this day in 2006, Victor Nacht of RGE, hosted the 2nd (and final) Halloween Blackjack Ball. 

On this day in 2007, a runaway chlorine train car rolled through Las Vegas.  Fully loaded with toxic chlorine, the train hit a top speed of 50mph before stopping in North Las Vegas. No one was hurt.

On this day in 2007, O. J. Simpson was arrested at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for robbery.

On this day in 2012, the Mob Museum opened in Downtown Las Vegas. The museum is housed in the former Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse, built in 1933, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

On this day in 2013, the Las Vegas El Cortez Hotel and Casino was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It was built in 1941.

Today is 3/2, otherwise known as National Blackjack Day.  Celebrate by NOT playing 6:5 blackjack and spreading the word that players expect nothing less than 3:2 blackjack. [ HighRollerRadioTV ]

On this day in 2020, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak ordered all non-essential businesses in Nevada to close for 30 days.  This included casinos, bars, restaurants, hotels, health clubs beauty salons, malls, gas stations, etc.  All gaming machines in the entire state were turned off.  For the first time ever and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Las Vegas was shut down! [ Associated Press ]

On this day in 2023, and after 12 years, the last episode of the excellent Gambling With An Edge podcast was produced.

Today is 6/5, otherwise known as National Blackjack Loser's Day.  Celebrate by NOT playing 6:5 blackjack and spreading the word that players expect nothing less than 3:2 blackjack. [ NationalBlackjackDay.org/ ] [ HighRollerRadioTV ]

On this day somewhere,  a casino pit boss is staring down a suspected card counter simply because he/she is using their brain while playing blackjack.