Customer Reviews:
 One of the best! October 18, 2003
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book is of historical importance because it is the first book written, as it is the oldest, with a viable counting system. A must have for your blackjack library. I also recommend, for modern games, Gregorian Strategy for multiple deck blackjack.
The book that started it all! November 23, 2002
39 out of 39 found this review helpful
This book started it all. Before this book, only a very few people knew about card counting, and most only had primitive systems. Thorp analyzed the game, ran computer simulations, and devised two effective strategies for beating the casinos at their own games.Can you run out and use these systems today against the casinos? Sure, but over 30 years have gone by and there are now simpler more effective systems. But if you are naturally gifted at doing complex calculations in your head quickly, I think the 10 count system would still be wickedly effective. Buy it for the theory and the stories. Then go out and buy a newer book with simpler more modern counting systems.
 Outdated but Interesting March 3, 2002
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
If you are looking to learn blackjack for the first time or even if you are an intermediate player, I would not recommend this as the book to read. You should read Frank Scoblete's BEST BLACKJACK which teaches a much simpler and easier to learn card counting system. Also, Scoblete's book is a lot more fun. But Thorp is the genius who invented card counting and his book is a must as background.
Re: A reader from La Canada, CA United States October 3, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The cover of the book brilliantly displays a variation of the game called double exposure, among other names. Both of the dealer's cards are exposed for the players to see. This may seem like a great advantage to the player until you consider that pushes loss. This, along with whatever other restrictions may be placed on the players by the house for knowing what the dealer has, such as doubling only on 10 and 11. Also, when the player has a 19 looking at a dealer's 20 the player will have no choice but to hit a hard 19. Beat the Dealer explains the importance of rule variations. Take it from a dealer, read this book.
Re: A reader from La Canada, CA United States October 3, 2001
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
The cover of the book brilliantly displays a variation of the game called double exposure, among other names. Both of the dealer's cards are exposed for the players to see. This may seem like a great advantage to the player until you consider that pushes loss. This, along with whatever other restrictions may be placed on the players by the house for knowing what the dealer has, such as doubling only on 10 and 11. Also, when the player has a 19 looking at a dealer's 20 the player will have no choice but to hit a hard 19. Beat the Dealer explains the importance of rule variations. Take it from a dealer, read this book.
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