Customer Reviews

Blackjack: A Winner's Handbook

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is for those serious about winning (or those wanting to stretch their limited fun time dollars) while playing BlackJack. How many times have you sat at a BlackJack table, like me, only to see the guy next to you winning big time while all your hard earned money is going to the house? It wasn't all that much fun but I didn't know the difference then. More often than not, you say? Then you should read Jerry Pattersons book. Although this subject has been written by many authors offering different points of view (mostly theories or undocumented practices) Jerry puts his years of research into it. His advice is based on practical knowledge gained from years of working experience. Virtually everything you need to know to start winning plus many research secrets revealed. The vast majority of these secrets are unknown to the casual weekend gambler. Now I know the difference, exploit these secrets everytime I play, and stopped losing. I also found it surprizing that most seasoned BlackJack veterans I talk to know little or nothing about these secrets. For example, before reading Jerry's book I was not aware how the game is controlled by the house. Jerry reveals how to avoid these costly mistakes. I once believed every BlackJack table I sat down to play was a potential winning table for me. Not true. Jerry's money management techniques are an absolute must for anyone gambling for fun or $profit$. Jerry explains his research development cycle, talks about his years of trial and error research, and refers to these successful exploitable items he shares as "factors". You will learn about these "factors", what they mean to you and how to exploit them like I have. These "factors" exist all around you in the casino environment. This book is really fun to read. Some very interesting and exciting storys about how some groups and individuals cheated and got caught. This book is not about cheating. His system really works - I've tried and tested it many times and won big! His systematic approach works in all casinos around (Reno, Vegas, Atlantic City, Indian and Provincial Canadian Casinos too), playing basic strategy (single and multiple deck tables are included), how to capitalize on your observances AND use Jerry's research secrets. This book is easily worth 100 or 1000 times the price. While using Jerry's approach to the game I have many times invested no more than $20 just to entertain myself for hours on end. Other times I found a hot table and won as much as $400 on a measly $5 table and did it in just 45 minutes! His approach to the game is now my defacto standard for playing BlackJack. This book is fresh and right on track. Thank you Jerry Patterson for telling us how to Win at BlackJack. I am just a weekend gambler.

I've read several blackjack books and this one is by far the most entertaining and informative. While every author has their own "winning methods", Jerry Patterson explains the reasoning behind his strategy with easy to understand examples and stories. His conersational approach is refreshing and makes for a quick read. He also writes with the average weekend gambler in mind. This way the reader feels as though they are actually receiving expert advice instead of a "get rich playing blackjack" message. This practical "Handbook" is a must for any blackjack collection.

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.

Just found this book? Consider yourself lucky. If you have read a bad review of this book disregard it as misleading and an attempt at pointing you away from the truth. Black Jack strategies are much more than mainstream card counting. It goes way beyond that into the very aspect of how Casino's manipulate you, your environment, and the cards, to get the edge over you the player. This book talks about it all and holds your hand through the beginning stage's, and for most of us, the disappointments that we've come to expect from card counting strategy's. If you been there and done that once two many times, here's the book for you.

I picked this book after reviewing it between four other Black Jack books. All the other Black Jack books where basically about the same things (card counting). "Black Jack : A Winners Handbook" takes a different, fresh view that is unexpected.

PS: I feel strongly about this book and another book of Jerry Patterson's called, "Casino Gambling". These books are well worth the read. Please believe me in my sincerity, because frankly I have never taken the time to write a book review, till this one.

Blackjack: A Winners Handbook has some very useful strategies even for those who are not located near a casino by taking advantage of bonuses offered by online casinos. Due to the heavy competition between the online casinos most offer a bonus for new accounts. Such a bonus might be $50 added to your account for initial $50 deposit. In order to collect the bonus you must wager a certain amount as determined by the casino. The bonus amount and minimum amount wagered vary by casino. Also be aware that often roulette & craps do not count towards the minimum amount that must be wagered in order to collect bonus. Blackjack wagers count at nearly all casinos. Once you have wagered the necessary amount you can then request withdrawal, hopefully at a profit. Just be sure of the rules for bonus and withdrawals which can be found under terms & conditions before you download casino or call the toll free number for the casino. Some casinos also give comps based on amount wagered and credit your account when comps reach a certain level such as $20. Also watch for bonus added to your account if you vote for that casino as casino of the month.

This book is useful for anyone who wants to win at blackjack. As an experienced player, I can attest that the info provided herein is comprehensive, complete, accurate and useful -- and if followed correctly will permit you to beat the casino at blackjack.

However, I subtracted 2* because the author refused to provide his current system for winning, instead teasing the reader with a not so thinly disguised sales pitch. Anyone who writes a how-to book but leaves out the how-to instructions should be pilloried.

In sum, I think both experienced and inexperienced players can benefit from his advice, but will be disappointed that the greedy author has chosen not to share his current strategy.

Brief: If you are going to play blackjack then the price of this paperback book isn't bad for understanding some of the interesting details about this game.

Rule #1: Players who play a system lose systematically.

Rule #2: Casinos have made much money on those that think that they can out-smart the casinos.

I have played on BJ teams, roulette teams (wheel and dealer bias), race and sports books. The race books have been my ONLY long-term money-maker (I would qualify this though in the right forum). I feel that I have played every system ever invented/constructed/fabricated known to humankind. I've read every book, every critique, and paid enormously for every "SYSTEM" sold out there. Since I am independently wealthy, I could afford to buy such things and try them out as much as I want. I did, and my advise to you: you will not beat the casinos. I will put all my money on that. Unfortunately, many live on fantasy alone, much to their own undoing.

I've met Jerry Patterson in the late 80's while exploring a few systems. Generally, he is a person of integrity. I understand that his research into systems brings him into contact with many that make his life a frustrating soap opera. Such is the battle-ground, I suppose. I respect Jerry Patterson for his extensive work in this field.

My advise to you is simple: some people make money doing that one thing that is claimed to make you money, and other people sell information about making this same money. Well, why sell this information if you are happily making such money? If Jerry Patterson can't make a good-enough living on his talents in this field (and he is, at the very least, one of the best players), then why do you think you can?

If YOU found a great system for beating craps, blackjack, the slots, horses, or NFL playoffs, THEN would you publish how others can similarialy benefit, OR, --if it is such a great system--, just go about making your good money?

Publishing books and systems on how to beat the casino is a way to make money. It is not very good money, but good enough with decent sales. This, of course, wouldn't approach what may be implied in the money that could be made if following this "system" in the field. Right? So, again, if you have a winning formula, why go hawk it to the public, if not to make sure, but small, money on it from publishing rather than seldom successful practicing of it.

Think about this until it makes sense.

With the price of this book, I DO believe it is well worth the read if you plan on doing BJ as entertainment only. If your looking for a way to make a lot of money, then, sorry, don't let me embellish your imaginary world.

I found this book a very refreshing approach to blackjack. Real time experiences at the tables and sharing the ideas that work in the real world of casinos helped me conserve my bankroll and even come out ahead more times than not. It is easy to read and understand. This book is a must for all gamblers, especially blackjack players. Enjoy!

I wanted to learn blackjack so I wouldn't throw all my money away on the slots like I usually do. So one day I haphazardly peruse the gaming section of my local bookstore and leave with the most unique view on the game I have ever seen.

The author is very thorough in describing several different scenarios of tables and gives great information about how to decide when to use the techniques that go along with them. Most people are looking for a sure fire way to win and the truth is that there really aren't any. But, armed with the information presented in this book you will probably end up winning more times than losing and when you do lose (as you invariably do) the author also mentally prepares you for this contingent and helps you in walking away still feeling like a winner.

This would be a 5 star review except that he is pretty heavy handed in trying to sell you to his moderately expensive blackjack home study course. This is the only complaint I have though and the good far outweighs the bad.

With all the new casinos being built and an infinite possibility of cyber games, nothing could be better for a bettor than knowledge of the casino game he/she wishes to play. If that person wishes to play blackjack, then this book is a must. If you ask almost any knowledgeable gambler who Jerry Patterson is, they can probably tell you. That is because he is one of, if not the most reputable authorities on casino table games in the industry. He has built his reputation on authoring a series of excellent books that document his incredible and often unique understanding of today's gaming. When it comes to blackjack, this book clearly explains not only card counting, but also shuffle tracking and strategies not even thought of yet by many so called experts. It's a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.