The Theory of Blackjack: The Compleat Card Counter's Guide to the Casino Game of 21

Although this is a great book you really need to know what it is and what it IS NOT!It is not an introduction to blackjack. It's assumed you already know how to play the game.It is not an introduction to card counting. The author assumes you already know a card counting system, or at least have a basic understanding of what one entails.It is PROBABLY not going to make you a better player. It's not really a "how to" guide for the game as much as it's a guide to show you how to effectively ANALYZE the game.As the title suggests this book is a fairly comprehensive review of the theory of blackjack. While a traditional counting book will tell you the HOW of card counting, this book will show you WHY it works, how card counting systems are derived, how to compare the power of different card counting systems (the so-called "efficiences") and contrast them to an (linearly) ideal system. You will also learn how to calculate exact probabilities (well, really how to write a program to do this) that could be used to determine the values (in terms of expected return) of different hands or to design a tool that will give you the optimal play in any situation that may arrise in blackjack. This tool isn't to be confused with "basic strategy", which only gives you the optimal play off the top of a freshly shuffled shoe.This book is ideal for someone who is comfortable with playing blackjack in a casino environment, has a basic understanding of the difficulties faced by card counters, and is comfortable with mathematical formulas and their derivations (although a lot of concepts can be understood without a strong background in math, you'll get a lot more out of the book if you can follow its derivations). After reading it you should be in a position where you COULD develop your own card counting system, calculate expected values (essentially probabilities) for given hands and given plays, and have the satisfaction of knowing that you have a better understanding of the inner workings of blackjack than 99% of the people who play the game!

So many other books are chapters and chapters of meaningless fluff and filler. This guy really takes the time to break down the math step by step, which I absolutely love!@

I ran across this book many years ago in a used bookstore (mine was the 2nd edition). I must say this book changed my opinion of books about gambling books. Up to that point, all the gambling books I've come across were laughable. But this book was startlingly different. It thoroughly explains the mathematics behind basic strategy and card counting techniques in a way that really made sense.This may sound too advanced for many folks, but frankly the math is fairly easy to understand (it mostly uses basic statistics that you probably learned and forgot in high school).If you are serious about card counting, the information in this book will help you evaluate BJ counting systems (or even systems you invent). It will also help you subtly modify your play for changes in rules at different casinos.Do you need to be a computer programmer to use this book? No, but it wouldn't hurt. Is this book useful for writing BJ simulators? Yes, but it's also great for really understanding what it takes to be a really good card counter.Personally, this book convinced me that I don't have the patience (or time) to become a good card counter. But at least now I know why.

griffin, himself, though, says that he would recommend starting with a different, easier book if you are weak in the math department. since i am weak(er) than i thought i was, i am finding the book a bit of a challenge.also, it just makes me think, because here's this mathematician who even wrote a book on the subject, yet he writes that he never actually won much money playing blackjack. obviously -- assumably -- it's not because he didn't understand how to play. just makes me realize that there's no guarantee that the laws of probability are gonna turn in my favor anytime soon. Like what's his name said, in the long run, we're all dead. so that don't do me too much good :(

This is an excellent book on the theory of blackjack as the title of the book suggests : this is a book to excite an academic, remember Peter A. Griffin is a professor of Mathematics! It is unlike the book "Beat The Dealer" by professor Edward O.Thorp which is accessible to the general public, easy to read & full of practical real casino tips & advice. To professor Peter A. Griffin's credit, he really makes it clear what type of book it is early on in the book : theoretical & won't make you a better blackjack player! It is intended to explain the theory behind "Basic Strategy", "Card Counting" & "Expectation" on the blackjack table. Professor Peter A. Griffin has been inducted into "The Blackjack Hall Of Fame" for his theoretical contribution to Blackjack!

Absolutely the best book on blackjack in its balance of wit, good prose and sensible mathematical analysis. Prof Griffin RIP

I was looking for a book that would spend time developing at least some of the probability math underlying player/dealer expectations of "basic strategy" which was first discussed in a 1950's paper by Baldwin, etc. ; and maybe some of the similar math presented by Thorp in "Beat the Dealer " - with hindsight I should have tried to locate this book in a library or maybe Ebay before buying it .

NIce item, fast delivery. Highly recommend. Thanks

I have been practising basic strategy and some card counting during the Covid lockdowns as our UK Casinos are still closed as of writing this reviewThis is a book for a very experienced player - covers a lot of charts, maths and probablilitys -Bought for my collection anyway - Usually in a book there will be a paragraph or a few pages that really help you in some way - This means the book was worth the price for that small piece of information alone

Attention ce bouquin hautement technique est à recommander pour ceux qui manie l'anglais à un niveau correct. Ensuite il est plutôt de type scientifique. Griffin ne fait pas dans la 1/2 mesure, c'est un des génies des 50 dernières années en matière de blackjack. Un must.