Customer Reviews

Sklansky Talks Blackjack

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I admire David Sklansky very much and think that his attitude towards living the gambling life is b-lls out, but I do not think this book was worth the money I paid for it. Contingent to winning, with Sklansky, is that you, as reader, have the ability to count cards. Without it, you won't get any advantage over the house by reading Sklansky Talks Blackjack. The book's organization and use of pictured cards is useful but the author's offering nothing new here that can't be obtained by knowing basic strategy. Sadly, he provides no original or intellectual take on dealing with the 5 and 6 deck shoes that all of us-- outside of the gambling Meccas-- must deal with. I wish that he had.

When Sklansky came out with this book the Two Plus Two titles were really gaining momentum. This is an expanded version of the blackjack material he wrote about in "Getting the Best of It" and does not need to be a stand alone book. It only covers the basic strategy and simple count systems available in most blackjack books. and no illuminating angles or approaches. After the successes of "Theory of Poker" and "Holdem Poker for Advanced Players"- both considered must reading for poker players he elected to write this book because "players were interested in having him weigh in on the subject". His blackjack book is just so so in my opinion; it is accurate and to the point but you won't find new or better material here. If you are just starting and have no other blackjack books it is an acceptable primer but that's it.

conceptually the book is well thought out.playing blackjack is an exact science unlike poker where one has to judge the quality of opponents. describing deck situations as "slightly" "moderatly" "highly" is not appropriate when we know exactly when to deviate from basic strategy.
a much better book is "knock-out" blackjack if card counting is your aim or "blackjack bluebook" if recreational blackjack is your game

This is just the bare bones basics on learning how to correctly play casino Blackjack.
There is no better choice for a rank beginner.
This is not a text on Card Counting.
David Sklansky is nothing, if not a master teacher !

Highly recommended for recreational players / tourists.

David Sklansky' key card concept is a revelation for any player serious for counting. Finally someone places the importance of each individual card that still composes the deck. Sklansky reveals strategies for special situations when certain cards in the deck are depleted or in surplus. These ideas have never been discussed before and lead to a new kind of counting system.

Much like the title says, this is the best money I've ever spent with regards to gambling. I'm so pissed I've been playing all these years without reading a book on Blackjack.

Sklansky knows his stuff as well as anyone, and he breaks it down into a real easy method that works. Yes - it works! Since I got this book just 2 weeks ago - I've played 3 online sessions - 3 hands at a time, 1 dollar bets each. The sessions - +30, +100, and +28!

All you need to do is look at the cards, look up their totals in the book (the second part is broken down into 1-2 page "chapters" by hands - 21, 20, 19, etc.), look at the dealers face card, and do what he tells you! No need to count cards or anything (cant really count onlne anyway). I guess its just basic blackjack strategy - but its supposed to give you a slight (.3%-.5%) edge, assuming a 6 deck shoe, which most online BJ sites use.

He recommends memorizing basic strategy, but I've found that by playing online (you could even play practice games) and looking up each hand (takes about 10 seconds a hand), you start to remember what to do in certain situations. He also has a part about counting cards for live play, and I plan on boning up on that just a bit before I play any casino action.

But for now - I recommend this book unconditionally - it's already paid for itself 15X over! If you're looking to make money online - this book is essential! Good luck!

I bought this book for my mother and she is finding it an interesting and helpful read.