Thousands of blackjack books have been written over the years, and they range in quality from useful to downright embarrassing. While we’ve read our share of bad books about blackjack, we’ve also made a list of those that have helped us improve our game and put pressure on the casinos.
The team at BlackjackTips.com.au personally endorses all of the titles listed below. Some are perfect for teaching beginners, while others are better suited to more advanced players. There are also books that focus on the people and stories related to blackjack, which can be quite fascinating and provide some intriguing insights into the game of 21. After reading the best blackjack books, you can put these new strategies to the test.
Books about blackjack
The following blackjack books should be available at any major bookstore, as well as online giants like Amazon. Most have been in print for a number of years, so finding them at reduced prices shouldn’t be a problem. Softcover versions will be cheaper, but we recommend splurging for the hardcover version if you’re thinking about building an impressive blackjack library.
Blackjack Blueprint: How to Play Like a Pro…Part Time – This book was written by Rick Blaine, a Fortune 500 executive who moonlights as a blackjack player in his spare time. He obviously knows what he’s talking about, as his career earnings at the blackjack table stretch into the millions of dollars.
Billed as “the most comprehensive book ever written on learning to play blackjack for profit,” Blackjack Blueprint covers topics such as: counting cards and basic strategy, shuffle tracking, casino comps, the importance of location, tournaments, playing on a team, wearing disguises, and much more. One of the Amazon customers left the following feedback: “Great reference for those serious about making money playing blackjack.”
Blackjack for Blood: The Card Counter’s Bible and Complete Winning Guide
– Written by Bryce Carlson, this 248-page book provides expert advice for both beginners and advanced players. Basic strategy is discussed, as well as the theory of card counting, money management, game selection, camouflage, and a number of commando tactics to help player’s stay one step ahead of the casinos.
As for counting systems, two dominate the pages of Carlson’s book. The first, the basic Hi-Lo system, is intended for beginners. The second is the more advanced Omega II system, which enjoyed a great deal of popularity after this book hit the shelves.
Professional Blackjack – Stanford Wong is a respected advantage player who isn’t afraid to take chances in his quest to beat the casinos at their own game. In this legendary blackjack book, he details some of his most effective strategies for winning at the tables, from double exposure and over-under side bets to Halves Count and Hi-Lo.
One of the things we enjoy about this book is the lack of colourful anecdotes. Some gambling authors try to cover up a lack of useful information with gambling-related stories, but Wong never strays from the path of illuminating the reader. While Professional Blackjack is better suited to advanced players, even beginners will feel their overall game improving with each turn of the page.
Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One – Written in 1966 by Edward O. Thorp, the man known as the “father of card counting,” Beat the Dealer is the definitive work on the subject. The game has changed significantly since the original publication date, but that doesn’t mean that Thorp’s information is worthless.
Simple charts demonstrate the proper strategy, and perforated cards can be removed from the book and carried along to the casino. Advice is also included for avoiding the casino’s watchful eye, although this was written in a day when surveillance equipment was far less sophisticated.
Overall, Beat the Dealer is an important work for gamblers, even if some of the chapters discuss concepts that have changed drastically since publication. It remains a classic, which is reason enough to give it a look.
Knock-Out Blackjack: The Easiest Card-Counting System Ever Devised – Endorsed by everyone from Arnold Snyder to Edward O. Thorp, Knock-Out Blackjack introduces the single-level “KO” card-counting method. Intended as a system for beginners, the practical applications of their method are explained in simple terms by authors Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs.
Best Blackjack – Frank Scoblete has written about everything from dice control to slot machines, and now he turns his talents to the game of blackjack. Each of the 283 pages is packed with nuggets of wisdom, as well as plenty of Scoblete’s colourful tales from the world of gambling.
The instructional part of the book is divided into three sections: basic rules, basic strategy, and card counting. Depending on your level of skill, you’ll be able to find the section that addresses your needs and jump right in. The only real downside is with the presentation of the basic strategy section, as he wrote it out instead of presenting it as a chart.
In addition to useful advice for the blackjack table, Scoblete also provides numerous stories about the colourful people who play the game. Our favourite involved a ragged fellow who stumbled into a well-known casino with nothing more than his social security check. After exchanging it for chips and pulling up a chair at a blackjack table, the man proceeded to go on a winning streak that eventually stretched into the millions of dollars. We won’t spoil the ending for you, but stories like that are worth the cost of the book. Throw in some expert advice, and you’ve got yourself a bargain.
Blackjack books are easy to find, but not all blackjack guides are created equal. While some authors have a knack for explaining strategies and concepts in easy-to-understand terms, others are limited by an inability to write and/or a tendency to overwhelm the reader with unnecessary jargon. That’s why finding the right 21 book is crucial, as it will help you on your way towards mastering this popular game of chance.
If you’re serious about becoming a better blackjack player, we suggest you pick up a few of the texts listed above, read them cover-to-cover, and dutifully practice the concepts discussed inside at one of our recommended land-based casinos around Australia. It will not only make you a better blackjack player, but you’ll also be well on your way to putting together an impressive gambling library.