Blackjack Autumn: A True Tale of Life, Death, and Splitting Tens in Winnemucca (Gambling Theories Methods) [Paperback]

Barry Meado (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2001 | Series: Gambling Theories Methods

When Barry Meadow decided to take two months off from his everyday life to play blackjack in every Nevada casino, he had no idea what he would find. Leaving behind his business, his fiancee, and his son, he set out on the road with a suitcase, a tape recorder, and $8,000 on the trip of a lifetime. He ran into cowboys and Indians, suffered the Stardust curse, split 10s in Winnemucca, and learned more about real-world gambling than anyone should have to know. With wit and wisdom, Meadow takes you on an incredible journey - literally, figuratively, even spiritually - all within the context of a professional blackjack player's remarkable way of life. Gambling lessons, life's lessons, Nevada geography lessons - this one has got it all. This is one of the most highly acclaimed gambling books in the past half-decade.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Given a map of Nevada and the premise that a blackjack card counter armed with $8000 will hit the road for two months, attacking every available casino, the reader expects a certain level of adventure and excitement. Just the escapist illusion of roadside traveling past historic ghost towns, stopping at mom-and-pop diners for conversation, is more than enough to hook most readers. Yet the narrator we encounter here is a one-dimensional individual with a do-or-die agenda for whom the road becomes boring, even annoyingly time-consuming. At one point, paranoia sets in for the writer, who is carrying over $25,000. At issue is his fear of being barred from casinos or spotted for his card counting. Even the death of a family member is handled from a gambler's perspective: just another annoying obstacle not unlike a change of casino dealers. Card counters are portrayed as a breed of loners and social misfits; writers at times tend to be just as masochistic. Turn a card counter into a writer, and you have a sometimes painful reading experience. Not recommended.AMarty Soven, Woodside, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Blackjack Autumn is much more than just a diary. It's a tour of Nevada. It's a blackjack primer. It's a laugh a minute. And it's a look deep into the head of a highly provocative thinker." -- Anthony Curtis, Las Vegas Advisor

"Get this book! It's educational and hilarious. Even if you're not a serious blackjack player, you will love this book if you like gambling tales." -- Arnold Snyder, Blackjack Forum --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 351 pages
• Publisher: Huntington Pres; 2nd edition (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929712080
• ISBN-13: 978-0929712086
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant adventure wonderfully told, October 12, 1999

By 

Fred Monte (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackjack Autumn: A True Tale of Life, Death, and Splitting Tens in Winnemucca (Hardcover)

After reading dozens of gambling books I have become jaded. This book, however, was riveting. I loved the true stories, insights and felt the life of an itinerant card counter. Finally, I love his dry sense of humor.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really fun book, April 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Blackjack Autumn: A True Tale of Life, Death, and Splitting Tens in Winnemucca (Hardcover)

I loved this book. It isn't the one to read if you want to learn to count cards at blackjack, but really gives a wonderful description of what casinos are like. Barry Meadows isn't Paul Theroux, but he is a lot funnier and sounds like a much nicer guy. Anyone who loves visiting Nevada will love this one. If you haven't visited Nevada, you will want to after you read this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun, August 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blackjack Autumn: A True Tale of Life, Death, and Splitting Tens in Winnemucca (Hardcover)

There are certain books that are fun to read and instructive too. This is one of them. Mr. Meadow recounts his experiences in an intelligent and funny way. You won't be bored. I think Barry Meadow now joins Frank Scoblete and Michael Konik as one of the three best writers in the gambling field for color and entertainment value.