The Best Blackjack Books
Whether you want to learn how to win at blackjack or just improve your playing skills, there are many books out there that can give you the knowledge you need. Some are more focused on the mathematical aspects of the game, while others offer a more holistic approach to the strategy. The best blackjack books are a combination of the two.
1.-The Theory of Blackjack by Peter Griffin ; This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the math behind blackjack. It covers the Kelly criterion and other statistical methods that make blackjack so profitable. It’s also a great resource for those who are interested in learning more about the probability theory of blackjack, and how to use that knowledge to improve their game.
2.-Beat the Dealer by Edward O Thorp ; This is an iconic classic that was a major turning point for card counting in blackjack. It provided the first public-available card counting system and is now a must-read for any serious player.
3.-Las Vegas Blackjack Diary by Stuart Perry ; This is the antithesis of the “Bringing Down the House” books that are often slanted toward card-counting cowboys who get chased around the world and end up in jail for their actions. It’s a real-life story about a professional blackjack player who decided to count cards, record his financials results and his emotional experience while in Las Vegas.
4.-Knock-Out Blackjack by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs ; This is another book that delves into a system of card counting, but does so in an easy to understand manner. The authors eliminate the need for complex math by creating an unbalanced K-O count that can be used anywhere in the world that uses standard decks of cards.
5.-Snyder’s Blackjack for Blood: The Art of Winning Without Losing Your Life by Arnold Snyder ; This is another book that doesn’t focus on the mathematical side of the game. Instead, it focuses on the practicalities of being a card counter. It includes a lot of practical advice for the beginner to advanced player and teaches you how to hide your advantage play at the table.
6.-Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong ; This is an excellent reference on the Hi-Lo card counting system. It is written by a long time theorist and player who is considered one of the top experts on the topic.
7.-Playing Blackjack Like the Pros by Kevin Blackwood ; This is a very broad coverage of the game of blackjack including basic strategy, different levels of advantage play, team play, tournaments and betting systems / money management. It is an excellent resource for professional players looking to sharpen their game.
8.-Playing Blackjack: A Business by Lawrence Revere ; This is a classic blackjack book that provides clear, succinct coverage of basic strategy methods / systems, betting strategies and application of three different count systems. It is also a good reference for the beginner player who wants to learn how to play blackjack as a business.