Looking for a good book this Xmas any suggestions?

[Doc Block]

Hello everyone,

I am a new comer to these forums and card counting in general. I believe I have yet to post on these forums so I guess I will make this my intro too. I am 22 and learned about card counting by watching the MIT Blackjack Team on the History Channel over a year ago. As I turned 21, of course, I went to the casino and won a little bit of money just using bday luck and intuition I guess. Soon after that I enrolled my self to the Game Masters Online Course and began to learn the secrets of card counting.

In an over eager and unwise decision on my part I headed off to the casino thinking that I was good enough to card count and do all the 'needed' necessities to get the money. Come to find out I was utterly wrong. With little practice the casino took my money as if I were a just a mere drunken customer.

Vowing to regain my money last month I decided to re-enroll my self in the game masters online course and this time stick to it until the end or death do us part. I have started from lesson one again building off of what I had previously learned.

I am currently on lesson 6 and I practice Mon-Thus 10pm-1am right before bed. This is actually the first night in two week that I have not practiced due to a lot of work and things I needed to get done. I am currently learning Hi-Low and have just about masted my BSM. My current record in single deck break downs is 18sec but my average is 20. I am hoping to shave off a few more seconds by the end of the week

With all that said, I was just wondering which book would be best for me to ask for x-mas. I have heard of a few good ones just by reading though these forums but I was just wondering which one would help me the most learning Hi-low, having a casino in my back yard (basically), and plan to take a few trips to Tunica MS each year. I have yet to learn single deck because I want to master six decks first since it will be the easiest for me to practice regularly in casino.

Thanks to all for listening I hope to become better acquainted with you all over the next few months of my training and hopefully even though my success

 

[johndoe]

I'd recommend asking for a copy of Casino Verite, rather than (or in addition to) books, if it's not too pricey for a gift. It even has all your BS and indexes right in there.

But if you had to choose one book, I'd recommend Blackjack Attack (3rd ed) to start with. Professional Blackjack is also well liked, but I didn't find it that useful personally.

 

[Doc Block]

thanks johndoe, does anyone else have any suggestions?

@johndoe, is that a software program and where can i get it?

 

[karlmaj]

if you want hi lo, buy Stanford Wong's Professional Blackjack.
It has -10 to 10 indices.
Also, Wong introduces you to Halves counting system, which is a little bit more powerful than Hi Lo but a little bit difficult. The good thing is that if you mastered the indices for Hi Lo, you can use it also for halves.
The book also teaches some advanced techniques, like shuffle tracking, bankroll advise, risk of ruin, etc.

 

[zengrifter]

Snyder's Big Book of BJ is the ideal first book. Then Snyder's Blackbelt and Bluebook by Renzey. zg

 

[callipygian]

Snyder's Big Book of BJ is the ideal first book. Then Snyder's Blackbelt

Seconded.

Pros:

(1) I think Snyder has a great view of card counting - optimistic, but not too optimistic, and cautious, but not pessimistic.

(1a) I applaud Snyder for stating up front the most understated problems of card counting - problem gambling and bankroll management.

(2) One of the two books, I think the Big Book, has an extensive section at the beginning on the history of blackjack. It won't help you win any money, but it's a fun read.

Cons:

(1) I think Snyder pushes Red 7 far too much.

(2) The books omit discussion on advanced techniques such as shuffle tracking, but I don't see this as a huge problem as an introductory book. I would not advocate Snyder's books as an essential blackjack reference that you will keep forever - more likely than not, you will read it, learn it, and then sell it to a used bookstore because you've essentially memorized it.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Seconded.

Pros:

(1) I think Snyder has a great view of card counting - optimistic, but not too optimistic, and cautious, but not pessimistic.

(1a) I applaud Snyder for stating up front the most understated problems of card counting - problem gambling and bankroll management.

(2) One of the two books, I think the Big Book, has an extensive section at the beginning on the history of blackjack. It won't help you win any money, but it's a fun read.

Cons:

(1) I think Snyder pushes Red 7 far too much.

(2) The books omit discussion on advanced techniques such as shuffle tracking, but I don't see this as a huge problem as an introductory book. I would not advocate Snyder's books as an essential blackjack reference that you will keep forever - more likely than not, you will read it, learn it, and then sell it to a used bookstore because you've essentially memorized it.

My recommendations:

1. Eliot Jacobson- The Blackjack Zone. Not highly technical but it will give you a very good qualitative understanding of the game that will help disabuse you of the things you see on TV about blackjack.

2. Stanford Wong- Professional Blackjack. Much more technical.

3. Don Schlesinger- Blackjack Attack. Much more technical.

 

[johndoe]

@johndoe, is that a software program and where can i get it?

Yes, http://www.qfit.com . The other programs are excellent as well, and you get a deal if you get a set of them. All are useful and complement each other; for just learning the game (w/o game analysis, BR management) Casino Verite is the one.

Powersim (google it) is also very good for game simulation, and it's free. It doesn't have a crisp user interface but it works perfectly well.

 

[Doc Block]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will check all the prices and everything tonight and post which ones will be my first addition to my BJ library.

@johndoe, thanks for the link I will check it out tonight also!


Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[dangeroso]

Books I've enjoyed that I would add to the list:

Blackjack Bluebook, Fred Renzey
Blackjack for Blood, Bryce Carlson
Knockout Blackjack, Olaf Vancura, Ken Fuchs

 

[FLASH1296]

I agree wholeheartedly that Arnold Snyder's books are excellent choices, but ...

I finally read "Blackjack BlueBook" as peeps on this forum frequently mention it.

I have begun to give (actual) hands-on Card Counting lessons to a regular contributor to these forums who has had far less than stellar results after studying Renzy's book.

I read it cover to cover today. I feel obliged to say that this is among the worst books that I have ever read on playing BJ, with the exception of books that do not even advocate Card Counting.

This book advises (early on) that you can improve your results by scanning the cards visible on the felt when you make any of seven (7) close plays, and play it accordingly, including insurance decisions. Quelle Bizarre !

When the author finally gets to what looks initially like a strong count ("The Mentor Count") he manages to screw that up pretty badly with such weird ideas as doing a True Count by 2 deck slugs !

Most of this book offers three (3) K.I.S.S. Counts. They are all rather weak, to understate the case. They are also unbalanced counts.

I admit that I dislike unbalanced counts, although for casual players l(who plays perhaps 2 or 3 hundred hours yearly) or low stakes player (who plays red chips), my reservations are minimal.

 

[rukus]

I agree wholeheartedly that Arnold Snyder's books are excellent choices, but ...

I finally read "Blackjack BlueBook" as peeps on this forum frequently mention it.

I have begun to give (actual) hands-on Card Counting lessons to a regular contributor to these forums who has had far less than stellar results after studying Renzy's book.

I read it cover to cover today. I feel obliged to say that this is among the worst books that I have ever read on playing BJ, with the exception of books that do not even advocate Card Counting.

This book advises (early on) that you can improve your results by scanning the cards visible on the felt when you make any of seven (7) close plays, and play it accordingly, including insurance decisions. Quelle Bizarre !

When the author finally gets to what looks initially like a strong count ("The Mentor Count") he manages to screw that up pretty badly with such weird ideas as doing a True Count by 2 deck slugs !

Most of this book offers three (3) K.I.S.S. Counts. They are all rather weak, to understate the case. They are also unbalanced counts.

I admit that I dislike unbalanced counts, although for casual players l(who plays perhaps 2 or 3 hundred hours yearly) or low stakes player (who plays red chips), my reservations are minimal.

im going to knitpick this even though it has been discussed multiple times and I'm sure Fred doesnt need me to defend himself.

dividing by a 2D slug remaining (as recommended for MENTOR) is actually BETTER than using 1D slugs for calculating TC, precisely for the same reason why using 0.5D slugs (as snyder recommended in his latest BBIBJ edition) is worse than using 1D slugs remaining. using a 2D slug divider gives you better resolution when making betting and playing decisions. if you dont comprehend why, search these boards, as i believe i and others have explained it in the past.

cannot comment on the rest of your post because i have not read the book personally. i have stayed out of any flame wars between you and other members on this board saying you dont know what you are talking about, but before you bash a very knowledgeable author, i would check to make sure you know what you are talking about....

whether you really are a grizzled vet or not, at least the above bolded portion of your post was inaccurate and unfair to say the least.

 

[FLASH1296]

"... respected author" ?
No disrespect meant, but ...
respected by whom?

Go to one of the pay-as-you-go forums, e.g. Stanford Wong's Green Chip' and mention him by name.

 

[rukus]

"... respected author" ?
No disrespect meant, but ...
respected by whom?

Go to one of the pay-as-you-go forums, e.g. Stanford Wong's Green Chip' and mention him by name.

by me and many others here.

frequent those pay-for forums all the time. if i went to green chips and mentioned you by name it will get a far more negative response than his name. this is as far as i care to take personal attacks, so you wont hear any more about this from me.

BUT explain why 2d tc conversion is worse than 1d conversion, please. in a new thread so as not to hijack this one any further. im always up for a good debate.

 

[sagefr0g]

respected author

humble as i am, i highly respect the authors work.:1st:
a favorite in fact.

 

[nottooshabby]

Fred is the man!

And Doc Block, "Bluebook II" is a very worthwhile read, although it may not help you much with mastering Hi-Lo as you stated in your original post.

 

[Doc Block]

Thanks for all the replies again everyone. Strong community here is seems. I have decided to go with "Professional Blackjack" by Stanford Wong since it goes through the hi-low and then the halves system really sold me. I have made it a personal goal to go beyond hi-low, I just didn't know which way I would go. But the halves sounds pretty promising.

I am also going to probably get CV-Blue Print software, but if I can't I will probably get Blackjack Attack and/or BJ Bluebook.

 

[zengrifter]

Thanks for all the replies again everyone. Strong community here is seems. I have decided to go with "Professional Blackjack" by Stanford Wong since it goes through the hi-low and then the halves system really sold me. I have made it a personal goal to go beyond hi-low, I just didn't know which way I would go. But the halves sounds pretty promising.

I am also going to probably get CV-Blue Print software, but if I can't I will probably get Blackjack Attack and/or BJ Bluebook.

Don't go with Halves - go with MENTOR in Bluebook.
Check my credentials and then trust me on this. zg

 

[Renzey]

Originally posted by FLASH1296
I finally read "Blackjack BlueBook" cover to cover today. I feel obliged to say that this is among the worst books that I have ever read on playing BJ. This book advises (early on) that you can improve your results by scanning the cards visible on the felt when you make any of seven (7) close plays, including insurance decisions.
When the author finally gets to what looks initially like a strong count ("The Mentor Count") he manages to screw that up pretty badly with such weird ideas as doing a True Count by 2 deck slugs!

Flash -- Insurance is not one of the "Mag-7" plays mentioned in the "Just Beyond Basic Strategy" chapter of Bluebook. The Mag-7 are intended for "boardcounters", not "cardcounters", and they can be implemented at any point.

With the Mentor Count, you do not true up by 2 deck slugs, but by the count-per-2-decks rather than the count-per-deck. You do in fact do this in half deck increments. You might have read the book a bit too quickly.

 

[tribute]

I read it cover to cover today. I feel obliged to say that this is among the worst books that I have ever read on playing BJ, with the exception of books that do not even advocate Card Counting.



.

I had read many books on blackjack before Fred's. It happens to remain MY favorite. I still use it as a resource. I can't imagine anyone giving it a thumbs-down!