Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros' Way [Paperback]

Don Schlesinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2005

The most important book available to blackjack aficionados since Beat the Dealer by Ed Thorp, Blackjack Attack has been praised by every prominent blackjack expert. In it, Schlesinger answers virtually all of the thorny mathematical questions that have puzzled serious players for years: optimal betting, camouflage, risk analysis, team play, systems comparison, and much more. With twice as much material as its predecessor, this third edition contains new studies bound to intrigue even the most knowledgeable pro, including a complete reexamination of the late Peter Griffin's work, and the publication of the most accurate basic strategy and effects of removal charts ever devised.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Blackjack Attack is a valuable resource for serious blackjack players. It represents the distilled wisdom of twenty-five years from a master teacher and player. --Edward O. Thorp, author of Beat the Dealer

The subtitle is not hyperbole. --Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado December 2004; named one of "7 Books for the Serious Gambler"

Of all the blackjack books ever written, I think Blackjack Attack is the most useful. --Ian Andersen, author of Burning the Tables in Las Vegas

About the Author

Don Schlesinger has been involved with blackjack, in several capacities, for over 25 years. As a writer, lecturer, teacher, and player, Schlesinger has "done it all," in casinos worldwide. Schlesinger graduated from the City College of New York with a B.S degree in mathematics and holds M.A. and M.Phil. degrees in French from the City University of New York. A former teacher of mathematics and French in the New York City school system, Don changed professions in 1984 and, until 1998, enjoyed a successful career at one of Wall Street's most prestigious investment banks, where he was a principal (executive director) of the firm. Now in semi-retirement, he continues to lecture as a highy respected financial consultant.

Product Details

• Paperback: 533 pages
• Publisher: RGE Publishing, Ltd.; 3RD edition (March 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910575207
• ISBN-13: 978-0910575201
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Blackjack

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don Schlesinger is the World's #1 Authority on Blackjack, September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros' Way (Paperback)

I've bought several good books on blackjack (The World's Greatest Blackjack Book, Best Blackjack, Blackjack a Winner's Guide, Professional Blackjack, Beat the Dealer, Theory of Blackjack, Burning the Tables on Vegas, Blackjack Attack) and the two best are Burning the Tables in Vegas (BTV) and Blackjack Attack (BJA). In BTV it covers counting along with the entire lifestyle and behavior needed to prosper in the casino playing blackjack. In BJA Mr. Schlesinger covers every significant detail relating to the modern game. His famous "Illustrious 18" play variations gives the beginning player 90+ % of the advantage available though card counting in one very simple package. Throughout the book he uses several other blackjack authorities (some are authors of the above mentioned books) to verify his findings on many of the finer points of the game. This book assumes you already know how to card count using the most popular basic card counting system in use today, Hi-lo. This system is covered comprehensively in most of the other books forementioned.

PEace

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a true "must have.", July 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros' Way (Paperback)

There is much mathematical theory on blackjack. I have read pretty much all the major books on blackjack, and read most all its theory. The problem with some blackjack books is that it's based on bad mathematical theory. The problem with most of the other books is that it discusses the theory and math behind which a winning foundation can be built, but leaves the implementation of that theory at the casino table up to you.

Some writers do a passable job at addressing the application of blackjack mathematics at a blackjack table. Some leave you on your own to guess a lot of it. But to date, I have seen only one author, in one book, who crosses both realms perfectly with an uncanny gift to pick out what's relevant, dismiss what's not, and then apply that knowledge to answer virtually every important question that can be asked about blackjack.

This is the book.

This is not a basic blackjack book. It assumes you already have one of those, already know a count, and wish to put it to work in the most effective manner possible. If you fall into this category, this is the book you've been waiting for all these years.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A counter without BJA is like a conductor without a baton!, June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros' Way (Paperback)

This is a graduate course on winning at blackjack, not a basic primer. The author is extrememly creative in applying elementary probability theory to the tough practical questions that confront counters on a daily basis.

This should probably not be your first book on blackjack - but if you plan to give the casinos a run for their money, you MUST study this book.