Dr. Edward Thorp played a major role in the history of blackjack and is regarded as the game’s “father of card counting.” Not only was Thorp arguably the world’s most skilled professional blackjack player, but also a researcher and writer of several blackjack strategy books, such as “Beat the Dealer.” Today, Thorp is a member of Blackjack’s Hall of Fame.
“Beat the Dealer”
This book, which was written in 1962, is the first known strategy guide for blackjack card-counting; this strategy will decrease the dealer’s advantage to approximately 5 percent, making it one of the largest, most profitable blackjack strategies of Thorp’s time. This book found its way to New York Time’s bestsellers’ list; 700,000 copies were sold.
Educational Background
Thorp’s numerous success and talents at blackjack are due to his amazing mathematical capabilities. After he earned his doctorate in 1958 at University of California, he began working as a math professor at MIT until 1961.
Computers and Gambling Theories
Through the use of computer programs, Thorp created a blackjack strategy. The strategy he made was the first ever to be developed on a computer. The computer he used was the IBM 704, which proved successful in calculating game odds and tweaking the system in order to increase a player’s advantage.
His Reputation With Casinos
Because of his computer calculations, Thorp became a household name in the world of blackjack. However, his fame irked casinos so much that Thorp ended up becoming banned. But this did not stop him. Instead, he donned various disguises and continued to frequent the casinos where he was not allowed.
Due to Thorp’s craftiness, casinos took it upon themselves to put certain measures in place that kept him and others like him from counting cards. Among the most used methods still employed today is constant shuffling.
There are a few easy blackjack strategies anyone can use to improve their chances of winning this popular card game. All of these tips and strategies have been successfully used by experienced blackjack players in many casino venues. Even though most people understand how card counting can bump a player’s blackjack game to the next level, the following are some effective methods to complete the same task.
Eight, Nine, and 10
Whenever you may have a possible eight, nine, or 10, you should never double down when holding a two. In this instance, the dealer has the best chance of hitting higher than what you will.
Blackjack Insurance
Do not purchase blackjack insurance if you hold anything else but 20 total card points. If you follow this strategy, you can save yourself the aggravation of losing money on worthless card insurance.
Hitting on 16
Some players have realized that hitting on 16 increases their winning edge, even if it risky. Specifically, it increases your odds of receiving a higher card-point total than the dealer.
Splitting Cards
Although you are allowed to split the cards two different times and play two different games simultaneously, it is advisable not to split a third time. If you do, you could lose all of them, causing you to waste a lot of money.
Hitting on 12
If you have 12 total points and the dealer’s face-up card shows a value of two, the dealer will usually bust. This tip is meant for “21” tables.
If you play blackjack and utilize the above strategies when you do, you will soon enjoy more wins and a bigger gambling cash flow, all without relying on sheer luck. Do not be someone who loses more than they win because they let luck be their guide. If you add card counting to your strategy repertoire, you will be unstoppable at the tables.
Although increasing your online blackjack bankroll can be challenging, there are a few methods you can use to pad you funds. So put your skepticism aside and find out how players from all over the world make a profit playing Internet blackjack.
Counting Cards Online
When counting cards in a brick-and-mortar casino, the task is difficult because the player must keep track of the count while cards are dealt at a quick pace. And the counting has to be done in a way that the casino does not catch on to what the player is doing.
Even though this is not a problem when counting cards online, Internet casinos use number generators as opposed to actual card decks, rendering the card counting method useless. These generators can shuffle, reshuffle, and work with as many decks as it chooses, all without a player’s knowledge.
Playing a Basic Strategy
A lot of people want to know if using a basic blackjack strategy when playing online is helpful. Actually, a basic strategy is definitely a step up from trying to count cards, making it a better way to increase a bankroll. A basic strategy is simply a mathematical chart that makes each play as optimal as possible.
But even when using a perfectly-created strategy coupled with player-favored rules, the house still has an edge, usually around 2 percent. So while you may not crash and burn quickly, you still have a small chance of adding to your playing funds.
Using Online Bonuses
If you utilize a combination consisting of bonuses and basic strategies, it is possible to increase your bankroll. By getting a bonus that is double the amount of your first deposit and then playing flawlessly in order to lose the minimum amount needed to clear the bonus, you stand a good chance of enjoying a healthy bankroll from your online blackjack endeavors.
Stanford Wong, also know by the pseudonym of John Ferguson, is regarded as a hugely famous person in the world of blackjack gambling; Wong is responsible for breakthrough research that proves useful to blackjack players. Due to his work as a gambling researcher, player, author, and consultant, Stanford Wong is now a member of blackjack’s Hall of Fame.
His Beginnings in Blackjack
In 1976, Wong began his career in gambling as a finance teacher who worked at San Francisco’s State University. And even when his blackjack career reached an ultimate high, he was still able to further his education by earning a Doctorate in Finance as a student at Stanford University. However, by the time he reached his last year of teaching at the university, Wong became so tired of faculty meetings and school bureaucracy that he agreed to take a $1 yearly salary in order to focus on his blackjack career and avoid meetings.
Contributions to the Blackjack Community
In 1975, Wong published “Professional Blackjack,” which is a book that provides detailed blackjack tutorials. Besides his written-word accomplishments, Wong also created the computer program called the Blackjack Analyzer that is made to analyze a blackjack game’s odds. Currently, Wong heads up a publishing house called Pi Yee Press.
Wong is also the creator of a certain blackjack technique coined “the wong” and referred to as “wonging.” In the 1980s, wonging found great popularity. The wong consists of not only watching the game, but also calculating the odds so as soon as the player believes the odds to be in his favor, he will join in a game. On the other hand, when the player’s odds begin to sink, the player should remove himself from the game to avoid further losses. However, casinos started combating this with a policy called “no mid shoe entries,” preventing people from counting odds and wonging.
If you know how to add, you are well on your way to having a firm grasp of the rules that govern blackjack. However, when it comes to online blackjack, math is not necessary. The computer software calculates your hand value, displaying it as well as your playing options.
Card Values
In blackjack, the face cards equal 10 points and the ace equals either one or 11, depending upon the player’s preference. Of course, the cards with a numerical value are worth the points shown on them. A blackjack is when a player holds 21 points worth of cards when one of those cards has a 10 value and the other is an ace.
Dealt Cards
Even though there are no hard and fast rules shared by all casinos, players are always given two cards and then get to make a decision about whether or not to take a card, depending on what the dealer’s face-up card shows.
Dealer Rules
The blackjack dealer usually holds when he has 17 or over; the dealer will continue to hit until he gets 17 points. With this in mind, the most effective way to practice the game is to deal out two hands – one for yourself and one for the dealer. Begin playing against the dealer and once the round is over, flip up the dealer’s face-down card.
The “Charlie Rule”
There are a few casinos that follow the “charlie rule.” This rule states that a blackjack player will win if he or she draws a particular number of cards without busting; the usual amount of cards to qualify is five. Of course, the total amount of card points must be 21 or under. The charlie rule affords players quite the favorable benefit and should be used to their advantage at every opportunity.
