Ken Uston on Blackjack [Paperback]

Ken Uston (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0942637569 | ISBN-13: 978-0942637564 | Publication Date: May 1, 1992

A legendary figure at the "21" tables in Nevada and Atlantic City casinos, Ken Uston and his "team" won more than $5,000,000. He had the distinction of being barred from a number of casinos and used facial disguises to get into action. This book divulges Uston's priceless playing secrets.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ken Uston was born on January 12, 1935 in New York City. He graduated from Yale and earned an MBA at Harvard University. He became Vice-President of the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange. He is the author of several books on computer science and computer games. He died in Paris, France on September 19, 1987 at age 52. Roy Hoppe is a rated chess master and a professional bridge player. He was a professional blackjack player until he "retired" from the game for reasons explained in the book. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Barricade Books (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0942637569
• ISBN-13: 978-0942637564
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,256,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stories of playing experiences and court battles, October 11, 1999

By 

CharlieE "CharlieE" (Tooele, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ken Uston on Blackjack (Paperback)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and accessible, December 4, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ken Uston on Blackjack (Paperback)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE GENERAL, February 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ken Uston on Blackjack (Paperback)

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.