I would consider myself a better than average card player, and I can play blackjack pretty well. But I have never looked at the formal mathematics or strategies involved in playing blackjack, *to win*.

This book covers "BS", the Basic Strategy, in itself enough to improve your game. Once you master this topic (you are dealt an A,7 and the dealer has a 3, what do you do?), the author introduces more and more advanced topics to continually improve you chances of winning (or rather remove the advantage the casinos already have, i.e. your chances of losing)

These advanced topics include several different methods of counting cards (take your pick), ranging your bet based on the count, and then finally using MBS, or "Modified Basic Strategy", complete with a whole new set of tables to master, oh my!

This book provided me exactly the information I wanted to become a better player, namely the BS strategy table, methods for counting cards, and sound reasoning to back it up. As a bonus, the author continually stresses how to reduce the chances of getting wiped out, and in general I think provides some good tips to keep in mind when gambling.

I bought this book because I was going on vacation to a destination with a casino, and although I'm hardly an avid gambler, I thought I'd spend some time playing blackjack. But this time, I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing, because I was tired of simply showing up at a table with a pocketful of hope.

I was aware that there were basic systems around for amateurs that purported to even out the casino's edge in blackjack, but to be honest, I'd never taken the time to read about them or learn one. If I ever knew all the right plays, like when to hit, stand, split or double in every conceivable situation, I had long ago forgotten the rules. For example, do you hit a 16 when the dealer has a 7 showing?

Enter "Professor" Reynolds with The Complete Book of Blackjack. I call him Professor because I never would have imagined a more literate, humane, or succinctly instructive treatment of a subject like this. If you ever decide to play blackjack, the section on the "Basic Strategy (BS)" will repay you many times over. In this unit, you learn the cold, hard mathematically validated rules on when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, reinforced with practical exercises and drills. There's an immensely readable chapter on myths of blackjack, all debunked with the same matter-of-fact, analytically based style. I didn't have time to absorb info on money management techniques and the real payoff that comes from counting systems, but the Professor assured me that I could hold my own with the basic strategy, so I decided to give it a try.

After three days of occasionally studying the tables and quizzing myself until I had BS memorized, I summoned up the courage to enter the casino, despite the fact that the book prudently warned me to practice at home or on the computer first. It's an entirely different game when you know the statistically right thing to do in every situation: violent emotions of hope and despair are replaced with relative calm and dispassionate observation. Don't get me wrong: this system doesn't guarantee that you will win every time out or get rich quick. It just insures you won't make a decision that concedes the advantage to the house.

So what happened? I played for two hours the first night and won $85 betting $5 a hand. I played for 45 minutes the next day with the same betting routine and won $75. Unfortunately Professor Reynolds can't accompany you and swat you in the head when it's time to get up from the table-you have to do that for yourself, although he offers advice on how to quit when you're ahead. Cost of book: $12 plus shipping. Return: $160. Not bad for openers.

I'm sure there are plenty of other books that offer similar systems and probably even more depth, but this a terrific primer for someone who doesn't want to devote his life to the subject. Thanks, Professor!

I've got to declare my bias up front... I'm the author's son, *but* I am also a computer programmer -- *the* computer programmer that wrote the simulation programs used by T.J. Reynolds in his research, in fact.

I knew very little about the game before I became responsible for replicating its play electronically and assisting in the proof-reading...

I used the amalgamated systems to win enough to pay for my honeymoon cruise through the Carribean, and still had enough left over to buy a *very* nice watch!

The best thing about the book, in my opinion, is how the author explains the rationale behind every element of the Basic Strategy as well as the more complex topics in a straight forward manner that seems to assist in remembering them.

I also appreciate the section that debunks the common Myths of Blackjack, and shatters the superstitions that are the most common causes of ruin among amateurs -- once again he pulls no punches about the statistics while wording the explainations in a way that is accessible to those of us who are crappy at Math...

With this book -- which is a fusion of all the most noted works on the game of BlackJack published this century -- you don't need to buy any of the originals by Thorpe, Wong, Uston, etc. -- It's all inside reduced to the essential concepts without any of the peripheral dissertations that would only be of interest to Statisticians.

If you can only afford to buy or travel with one book, THIS IS THE ONE!

This book is primarily for non-counting beginners who want to improve their basic strategy. Although there is no counting, the strategies provided are pretty good. There are some statistics for the different approaches, but not an abundance of support. It is basically a simple intro guide with some good hands-on information like how the dealing takes place, how to handle the IRS, how to play some other variants (which I do not care about), etc.

Having read dozens of books on the subject of blackjack, I found this one to be exactly what it is intended to be... a guide for anyone who wants to beat the multiple blackjack game. While it is a great primer on the game for anyone who has never been inside of a casino, it can also serve the more experienced player as well. It does not offer any anecdotal accounts of the author's experiences at blackjack. It does not offer card counting strategies at all. If you're an experienced player who's looking to hone your card counting skills, this book is not what you're looking for. But even an experienced player can benefit from all but the book's first chapter which details rules, equipment and blackjack terminology. It is probably the best book I've come across covering basic strategy. It not only shows you the correct basic strategy to use based on the number of decks and house rules, the author explains the "why", making it easier for players of all levels to recall what their correct play should be. It also offers a formula for determining the house advantage on the games that you may face by adding %'s of house advantage rules and deducting player advantage rules. Based on the various house rules, it gives you the variations of basic strategy that the player should employ. Whether you're an experienced player who wants to brush up on your game, a novice that wants to learn what variations of basic strategy to use, or you're simply a beginner who wants to get ready to hit the tables for the first time, this is the book to get.

Blackjack Strategy is a good overview of the game. The book starts with a brief history of the game and then quickly moves on to the "Basic Strategy" of Blackjack, i.e. minimizing your disadvantage.

The chapter on the basic strategy is enough to make you confident enough to tackle any Blackjack table without looking foolish. It will teach you when to hit, stand, double down, etc...

The next few chapters go on to describe a basic card counting strategy. It is easy enough to understand but if you are looking for some serious information on card counting this book will probabaly not be good enough by itself.

Overall the book was a quick read and easy to comprehend. If you are about to hit the Blackjack tables and want an understanding of the game and its strategies I would recommend reading this book before hand. This book is also a good reference with many tables in the appendix. You can easily read it in one sitting. If you are looking for a meaty book with ton's of detailed information you may want to look elsewhere.

This is a good book that can give beginners a good introduction to black jack and some of the casino rules. For non-beginners (people with some "know how") there is plenty of material to.

It gives you an overview of gambling/black jack history (very brief but interesting) and it tells you some of the "unwritten" rules that only people that visit casinos know. It provides you with fundamental rules, reference tables for different scenarios and advance techniques.

To the bottom line... I follow the book direction and it helped me to make enough money that my trip to Vegas was pretty much free. For my first attempt at black jack obviously I am happy, and I plan to read it again and check the advanced material for my next trip.

Finally, Black Jack is a lot more fun and intense than the roulette or the coin machines.

The book "Blackjack Your Way to Riches" is a highly informative Blackjack book with much more than just BJ techniques. Much, much, more. It offers advice on tipping, gestures, and comps during in which that time the author and his four "associates" are keeping you in constant laughs. It is fine for a general reference if you just want to level out with the house but many of their techniques are outdated and do not work in most of today's conditions. The author brags about his counting system not getting you barred, but that is a lie. All users working counting systems are almost always found out and barred, no matter who they are. All in all a good book though for the newcomer to BJ or someone just going on a vacation playing a few hands. If you would like some better strategies that are more up to date please order a copy of either Ken Uston's "Million Dollar Blackjack" and/or Jerry L. Patterson's "Blackjack A Winner's Handbook", both 5 star books. And, if anyone wants to try it, no one I know has used the system in the back of the book. If you do please feel free to e-mail me with your results and comments.

A bit of advise from somone who has spent the last 6 years mastering and playing various BJ systems in Reno and Vegas. There is no single book in print that will give more playing power to a beginner than does Canfields. My father played with a "associate," for many years using the modified master system, which has astounding results, but is as complicated as "BJ for Blood" The expert running count as found in this book produces excelent results over many hours of play. Atleast one quarter of my year is dedicated to play and I still use most of the technique described. As far as getting caught and barred, I'm still rolling... Not everyone who counts gets caught, but they are watching, unfortunatly bank rolls are about double now to avoid detection and this system although powerfull is now more time consuming than before. It will make you money, My returns playing are usually under those shown per hour in the book, but not by much. As for those seeking the Master system, good luck hunting!

I bought this book on in an airport and enjoyed it. I got me interested in learning how to play blackjack correctly, so, in that sense, it was great. It's relatively clear and geared toward the beginner. The mathematical focus of some sections made the strategies more easy to understand. The problem with this book, however, is that it sometimes rejects the correct play. If you are ahead in the count, keep playing. Leaving the table, even when you're losing, basically amounts to wasting all the effort you put into counting. Also, streak betting is just plain superstition. If you can count, this information is more valuable than the tendancy for streaks to indicate a favorable count. Finally, If somebody at the table doesn't make the correct plays, you don't have to leave. It is just as likely to help as to hurt you. It was ok, but I'm sure there are better books than this.

Tamburin gives you the three steps (The Play, The Betting & The Card Count) necessary to win. He also gives you the easier approach and the better, harder approach. Explanation of the true count calculation was harder than it should have been, but otherwise an excellent book. Has greatly improved my game. I now win more than I lose.

Fantastic book!. Since I've bought it, I have stepped away from a Casino, always as a winner. I am not a proffesional gambler, but I love to win some extra money when I visit a Casino. I am looking forward to buy the rest of Mr. Tamburin's books. He deserves it.

This book is suitable for beginners and recreational players but those who know basic strategy and count cards will not benefit much from this book...

Those who know basic strategy and count cards will not benefit much from this book, except possibly as a refresher, but for those starting out it is invaluable. It is better to become familiar with the rules of blackjack before you step into a casino, rather than learn at the tables, and this book is a great way to start. Basic strategy, something every blackjack player should know, is covered thoroughly. All reputable blackjack writers acknowledge the need to know basic strategy cold, which you can do if you study this book.

This is an awesome book for those who want to win at Blackjack but don't want to learn the math behind card counting. You won't win every hand (if you did, you should write a book). But, this book explains how to win overall at the tables in plain and simple english. It goes into the basics of the game, terminology, the strategies and ideas behind playing against the dealer, has charts on what to do based on different casino rules, and touches on how to and how much to bet. I've seen different charts and strategies but the ones in this book did the best for me. A must read for every Blackjack player who wants to win at the tables.

A GREAT BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THOSE EARLY DAYS. IT HAS A FEW GOOD TIPS ON COVER THRU STORIES HOWEVER THIS A REALLY DATED FOR ANY PRACTICAL USE IN CASIOS TODAY.

Ken Uston once again demonstrates why he was the world's foremost authority on the game of blackjack. His playing experiences were both varied and extreme. In this book, he tells stories (some told before) of his playing experiences, and details his ultimately fruitless attempts to get the Nevada Gaming Commission to stop the casino practice of barring card counters. Of note: in this book he disavows his previously touted Uston APC count, stating that it's just too difficult to use effectively, and that simpler systems are probably more effective in the long run. That piece of information alone makes the book worth having, and in this book he suggests which other systems should be used instead.

This book does NOT contain tips on playing blackjack. Instead it is filled with stories and anecdotes of how the infamous Ken Uston used Team Play to beat the casinos out of millions of dollars. Millions. At times laugh-out-loud, occasionally boring when the courts become involved, but is quite accessible even for those with little familiarity with 21.

If you want to read about other casino shenanigans, like how some physics students put computers in their shoes and beat the roulette wheel (and still to this day receive royalty checks), grab a copy of the Eudemonic Pie. For the book that started it all: Beat the Dealer.

If you're looking to become a card counter after reading this, check out the de facto standard for any serious counter: Million Dollar Blackjack, also by Uston. Do not waste time with the others, particularly Jerry Patterson's shuffle tracking scheme.

My wife just loves Vegas but I got tired of losing money on every trip we made there. A few years ago we were waiting for a plane to leave and I picked up the first edition of Jerry's book in the airport to read on the way home. I just knew there had to be a better way. Jerry not only changed my thoughts about blackjack but about gambling as a whole.

I've read almost every blackjack book I could get my hands on and most are very technical and filled with statistics that work well for those who enjoy playing theoretical games against a computer but this is the only book that shows you how to beat the real game in real live casinos. When I heard the new edition was coming out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I wasn't disappointed. I now am able to evaluate any game of blackjack before I sit down in a way that no other author has ever described. This book paid for itself many times over on my first trip back to the casinos.

Thanks Jerry! Las Vegas is much more fun now that I come home a Winner!!

Jerry L. Patterson, with over a quarter century of teaching blackjack, has in one single book provided the most comprenhensive analysis of the game that is currently available. As oppopsed the the majority of blackjack books, which promote mechanical systems, he provides a complete understanding and a thorough analysis of every facet of the game. By following Patterson's teachings any blackjack player will benefit and if after reading the book one cares to further their knowledge there are courses that the author provides.
Jerry Patterson is one very few widely respected experts in the blackjack education business and has an extremely large group of loyal followers, who over the years have prospered from his knowledge and teachings.

I've read just about every worthwhile Blackjack book published, and have even met a few of the authors personally (Uston, Patterson, and... "Wong," who apparently penned the 1-star review below). Around 1980, there must have been a hundred people writing Blackjack books, and the only one of them still standing, and more important, still playing in casinos, 20 years later is Patterson. That kind of longevity in the "Blackjack trenches" is unique.

You get the basics on the game, plus an outline of systems and development of Blackjack strategies from the beginning up to current methods. He includes discussions of shuffle tracking, hole card play, various counting systems, concealed computers, and card clumping (all of which Patterson has himself used over the years). The Basic Strategy and basic count are included, as well as some of Patterson's newer techniques refined from his experiences. He also details excellent money management systems and strategies for betting with count and without count. Plus, Patterson summarizes and reviews quite a few books and newsletters and makes recommendations for further reading and study of the game.

My opinion is, whatever books you get on Blackjack, this is the one to start with. This book is a great start on skillful playing.

The most valuable information in George's book is essentially how to be a disciplined blackjack player, which is most valuable indeed. Think about it though. If there was a guaranteed way for the average non-card counting Joe like you or me to win consistently at casinos, casinos would soon cease to exist. What about George's 78% win average? Well, that's according to him of course. But consider this: when you use his system you've had a "winning" session when you win 50% of your original stake. You've had a "losing" session when you've lost 100% of your stake. Therefore you can end up with a higher percentage of winning sessions than losing sessions, and still end up in the hole. George doesn't say he sees a consistent 78% monetary return on all his blackjack investments, just that he sees a 78% "win average." Plus, no betting system can gain or lose you money. How does one hand know what was wagered on the last hand?

However, I rate this book highly because of the many positive lessons it teaches about gambling in general. Although George's system cannot guarantee you will win money, it is still a system which requires discipline, proper playing technique, and a strict betting and money management formula. He emphasizes fundamentals that are paramount to having a successful ride at any gaming table: do not drink, don't bet hunches or feelings, bring only a certain amount (depending on table limits) to each table, walk when you win or lose a certain amount. If you can follow all George's disciplines, you will definitely increase your chances of winning. Hopefully you will have a good time as well and not walk away broke, having spent five times as much as you intended in half an hour.

George is an Everyman, and his short book is a good read. From reading his books and hearing him on talk shows, I think he has a great personality, and very much speaks to the average or casual gambler like you and me. He is a good writer for someone who is not a professional writer. The handy strategy cards can be simply torn out and taken to the blackjack table with you. If you're planning a trip to Vegas or Atlantic City, it can be a fun system to try. Who knows, you may get lucky!

This book has changed my entire perception of gambling in the casinos. I was willing to give this idea of George's a try. After all counting cards is suppose to be difficult and time consuming.With this book the reading is easy to follow and it's a system that allows you to grasp the concept very easily. I'm playing with the mathmatical odds that enable me to win at blackjack, not break the casino. you'll never beat the casinos,but you can win fairly consistently with this system.FIVE STARS is my vote

I'm a blackjack newbie ... and I KNOW this book will save me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. George's system is easy to learn (unlike card counting) and remember. Plus, it's a relatively quick read, making it perfect to bring on a plane ride to Vegas or your gambling mecca of choice. If you're headed to the blackjack tables, get this book first! It'll be the best [money] you spend ... and with George's 78% success rate, chances are good you'll recoup your investment.

This book is written by a master teacher-- Mr. Harvey covers all facets of Blackjack, and makes it understandable both for a beginner, and for players who want to improve their winnings and enjoy the game. In addition to teaching you his system of playing,and handling bets ("money management"), he tells you how to choose a casino-- a good table--where to sit--even talks about tipping the dealer. I like his conservative approach about how long to play, when not to play, and when to leave. The Glossary and Index at the end make this an easy book to find information. This is a good gift for someone who likes to go to the casinos (it was given to me by a blackjack player who has been doing very well with Mr. Harvey's system).

Richard Harvey's book is a very comprehensive aid for the game of blackjack. Aimed mainly at the small-stakes player and the new player, the information is valuable to all who face the dealer in today's casinos. Information includes many new and different items that aid the player that I haven't seen in other books. Things as simple as how to pick a table...far more important than a lot of players realize. Then there's the "X Factor" which spells out a great deal of important things to be aware of during the course of play. There is a section on how to detect if cheating is possibly going on. Additionally, if you find card counting difficult then the section on card observation will be of great assistance in your game. This isn't in any other book I have read. There is a terrific section on a very no-nonsense money management plan that will be a tremendous help in maximizing good runs as well as controlling losses during down cycles. If you are a card counter this is the first blackjack book I have read that counts all the cards, not just the 10s and Aces. It really does make a difference. All in all after reading this book and trying out the strategies in real play I have had more success than previous recommendations especially in the area of how to deal with soft hands. If you are a small stakes player or not this book with its excellent graphics will make a difference in your play. It is one of the better investments I have made in the gaming world.

After spending three days reading this very easy to read book, I learned optimal basic strategy along with simple card-counting techniques. With a total of 14 hours spent in the casino after reading this book, I made a profit of more than 150%!