Customer Reviews

Mensa Guide to Blackjack

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Mensa Guide To Blackjack is a no-nonsense handbook of tested and proven techniques to win at casino blackjack. Written by a former professional solo and team blackjack player, as well as a member of the MIT Blackjack Team, Mensa Guide To Blackjack explains card-counting strategies and dispels common myths - one does not have to be extraordinarily skilled at math to count cards; card-counting is neither cheating nor illegal; and no one can be arrested for card-counting. Card-counting will get one banned from a casino, if one is suspected or caught doing it, because casinos know card-counters can win - therefore Mensa Guide To Blackjack offers simple exercises and techniques to practice until card-counting becomes so ingrained, one won't give away telltale signs while doing it (although betting and winning too much at high-limit tables may well tip a casino off!) Chapters cover both basic blackjack and rules variations, betting to win, refining basic strategies, playing with a team, and much more. An absolute "must-read" for anyone who wants to play casino blackjack to win.

This is the first book I read about Blackjack. The book is short but very concise, you can read it in a couple of days. If you haven't read a book about Blackjack make this one your first. And let me tell you why, the book is not confusing and the author does a great job explaining why Basic Strategy works. The author explains the probabilities behind Basic Strategy, knowing why you should hit or stand makes it easier to memorize the strategy. Also, the books has exercises and drills that will test your knowledge and help you refine your game.

As for the Basic Strategy Chart, I will use the one published on the WizardofoddsDOTcom website since most casinos use multiple decks 4+ and the dealer hits soft 17. Learn the rules of the casino before playing. Also I recommend complementing this book with John Bukofsky's "Blackjack: Play Like The Pros". John gives more detail in other areas and offers a more in-depth analysis of the game. However, note that if you've read Mensa Guide to Blackjack you will gain a better understanding of what John is trying to teach you.

If you can only afford one book then get this one, this one does a better job of helping the beginner player understand the game. I recommend reading this book once and then re-reading it a second time. And if you are an advantage player, well you won't be learning anything new here...

This is a brilliant book! It is so well organized and presented that the book is unbelievably short. Clear explanations of card counting theory without too much detail. The basic strategy is simple to learn. The card counting is similarly simple to learn. A little practice and anyone can learn the basic strategy and card counting. The difficulty comes in adapting the basic strategy for card counting. This is NOT simple to learn. That is not a fault of the book, just the reality of learning to beat the casinos.

My only complaint is that the book focuses on the rules of play in the large Las Vegas casinos. The smaller casinos and those outside of Las Vegas use rules mentioned in the book but not included in the counting charts. Adapting the charts for these other rules is time consuming and would be a welcome addition in a revised edition of the book.

If you are serious about counting cards, get this book, hunker down to memorize the charts then spend LOTS of time practicing.

Compared to many other books on blackjack, this was a refreshingly, straightforward, intelligent approach to learning blackjack. Although the book is not long, it can be reread easily to review certain key points. A great resource!

High recommendations for this book. Straight forward and unconfusing instructions. Hornik also educates the reader the about the subtleties of, and what to expect while sitting at a blackjack table. With consistent practice (play with your friends), you will play without initimadation!

This fun to read guide to blackjack is great.
I headed to Vegas with my new information and came home
a winner.
Even people who don't play more than once a year will
enjoy this book.

I didn't knew how to play blackjack at all before reading this, but this book explains you all the rules, the strategy, how to count, and more in a very clear way. I cant figure out better ways of teaching you the secrets of the game. To be honest, it's well explained but definitely it's not easy to count cards, if it were everybody would be doing it, and if you can't do it, at least you will do much better in normal play without counting.

Buy this book. Mr. Hornik's guide is helpful to both beginners and experts. I am now wiping the floor with my buddies during our weekly games. I AM NOW A PLAYAH!!!!

I bought this book for many friends who frequent Vegas and all of them raved about it!