Professional Blackjack

by Stanford Wong

Book Overview

Professional Blackjack explains card counting and other ways to beat blackjack, and has strategies for various rule variations. It contains complete strategy tables for the high-low and halves... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688008186
• ISBN13: 9780688008185
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent!

Anything written by Stanford Wong is worth reading. Professional Blackjack is no exception. This book is the best resource that I know for those using the Hi-Lo system of counting cards. Wong carefully explains the system, and backs up his research with loads of computer analysis. He provides strategy tables for basic strategy, and a myriad of other strategy tables for all sorts of different rules. This is the sort of book that keeps blackjack pit bosses awake at night!

What else do you need to know?

What else do you need to know besides this: 1 - Wong has been one of the top blackjack players for quite a long time. 2 - This book contains tables and data for just about every possible permutation of blackjack that you will come across in most casinos. 3 - There is _no_ serious blackjack player out there that has not read this book. Any other questions?

Outstanding Guide to Card Counting

To win at Blackjack, you need to do four things:(1) make the appropriate playing decision (e.g. hit / stand);(2) bet more when odds favor that you will win;(3) have a sufficient bankroll available; and(4) play enough roundsThis book covers all four points.Making the appropriate decision (playing strategy) can be achieved by learning basic strategy. Playing strategy -- and hence your win rate -- can be improved by memorizing index numbers, but basic strategy is actually sufficient for winning at blackjack. Basic strategy, as well as index strategies for two card counting systems, are presented thoroughly.Making the appropriate betting decision is necessary for winning at blackjack. In the long term, it is statistically impossible to win at blackjack without varying your bet appropriately. Selecting an appropriate bet is covered thoroughly in this book.Having a sufficient bankroll is essential. While the minimum bankroll size (say $2500 for playing on the Strip) may be more than you like, the details of calculating the bankroll you need is provided.Playing enough rounds is essential. The details are provided for you to calculate your expected win rates, and their standard deviations, so you know what to expect. You may need to play more than you want (say 100 - 1000) hours to have a reasonable chance of doubling your bankroll, but again, you can calculate it.This book does have math. No calculus, but basic statistics. Everything is explained -- and you will want it explained.The material in the book is not heavily dated (cf _Million Dollar Blackjack_ by Ken Uston). Some readers have expressed concern, but as of the date of this review, it's easy to find games in Las Vegas with odds better than the benchmark rules.I am tempted to add a fifth necessary condition for winning at blackjack -- finding a table with sufficient penetration. This means a table where enough of the deck is used that you will see variations the card counter can take care of. A dealer that shuffles after one or two hands, or the increasingly-present continuous shuffling machines, significantly reduces a counter's advantage by reducing the opportunities to count! I agree with other readers that say penetration deserves better coverage in this book.Good luck! You can win! But first learn basic strategy, calculate your bet sizes, accumulate your bankroll. Then play as many hands as you can.

Best Blackjack and Professional Blackjack Are Two Best

The two best blackjack books I've read since getting interested in this game about six months ago are Wong's "Professional Blackjack" and Scoblete's "Best Blackjack." Wong's book is really for math types but it is the best reference book for all types of games and rules. However, Scoblete's book is the more enjoyable and, for novice and intermediate players with some experience, the book that helps you learn the most. These two are both outstanding and if you want to be a good blackjack player they are must reading.

Card counters bible

This is one of the best if not the very best book on blackjack out on the market today. This book does not have colorful stories but has all the information you will need to get an edge at blackjack and win money from the casinos consistently. The rest is up to you(proper bankroll, camoflage, patience, and discipline). This book will give you basic stategy for six decks. It will teach you the hi-lo and also the halves count(a 2 level count). The book will tell you how much per hour you are expected to win due to differing rules when a specified hi lo bet scheme is used. There are also chapters dealing with double exposure and the over under side bet. There are also charts for taking advantage of special rules like 7-7-7 , 6-7-8 , or 5 or 6 card 21's paying a bonus.Wong also discusses risk and includes many charts including expected values for hands and strategy changes for counts using the hi lo and for using the halves count. This book has no fluff it is packed with information. If you want stories buy another book but if you want to win money buy this one. This book has everything I mentioned and more.A five star book definitely worth more than the price.