Customer Reviews

So You Wanna Be a Gambler: Card Counting

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Y'know, its funny that John Patrick always dismisses authors who use mathematical models and simulations to figure out what the best play is by saying "you're not gonna play a million hands of 5,5 vs. 5 or 6, so the simulations mean nothing;split those 5's" , yet he has written a book on card counting which is, of course, based on mathematical principles! It's totally antithesis to everything he espouses. His "Up and Pull" systems are nothing more than ... regression systems, designed to quit when you're ahead(the Ultimate regression? Bet $; if you win, leave. If you lose, leave!), yet most of the value you get from counting cards comes from betting more $ when there is a higher count; something which JP says helps the dealer more than the player. He is, of course, wrong, and while his book on "Advanced" card counting does posess some facts which could help you beat a Blackjack game, his system is merely a rehash and slight modification of already existing systems. One of John Patrick's main claims as to his legitimacy is that he actually plays in the casinos, wheras most other BJ authors you never see; well, that's because casinos don't like dealing to people who posess the ability to play their game with an advantage for a significant amount of money. If you never bet more than $ a hand, you could be the best BJ in the world and few casinos would kick you out. JP is no threat to any casino BR, not in the slightest bit, if he plays as he says. Strangely enough, I think he's actually a very intelligent man capable of beating casinos, but he's a much better marketer. I guarantee you, if he had a $ bet out, he wouldn't split those 5's.

John Patrick's card counting system is designed to give the casino max profits. If you use the advice in this book, you will be warmly welcomed by any casino in the world. There are a lot of mathematically oriented card counting systems out there. This is not one of them.

Professor Thorp proved the proper ways of beating a blackjack game nearly 40 years ago. John Patrick's methods of "up and pull" (really hunch and guess) set the standards back to the days before computers. This book is total nonsense.

A realistic account of how to survive playing blackjack. Book is focused on the player and not tons of theory that is suppost to "eventually" equal out. Theories on money management and betting series are worth the purchase price.