Customer Reviews

The World Greatest Blackjack Book

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book in a used book store and read it for fun. The basic system seems to work. I've played the system against computer blackjack games for hours at a time until I get bored and I seem to run pretty even. As he mentions in the book, the basic hit,stand,split,double system simply evens up the odds between you and the house. To actually make money you need to start counting.

The count system he teaches (The Hi-Opt 1) is easy to understand, but it takes a lot of practice to perfect (as does any counting system). From what I've seen on the web it's still a decent system, but it's not one of the more optimal systems that's been developed since this book was written in the 80's. But it's still a good one.

It's funny though to be constantly reminded that this book was written in the late 70's to early 80's. He keeps making references to Farrah Fawcett and Lee Majors and TV shows like "Barreta". That makes it tough to feel like you're learning the latest and best system. Also, if you just want to know the basic strategy and the count system then you can ignore about 380 of the 404 pages in this book. The rest of the book is stories and advice (which is also quite dated) on how the casinos work and how not to get barred as a counter.

Overall, it's not a bad book, but here in the 21st century it no longer rates as "The World's Greatest Blackjack Book".

I'm planning my first trip to Vegas and wanted to brush up on my Blackjack skills. I heard about this book from several websites and decided to buy it.

Overall, the book is a very good buy. The author thoroughly explains the ins and outs of gambling and does a great job teaching Basic Strategy, the Hi-Opt I counting method, and adjustments to Basic Strategy to accommodate the Hi-Opt I. The book details many gambling tricks and actions you can use to increase your advantage, explains casino cheating, and details betting procedures, etc. The author also discusses the variations and strategies for non-casino blackjack. The book is also fun to read because of the many stories the author tells from personal experience.

The major downside of the book was that it was printed in the 80's. The comparison of blackjack conditions in various casinos was based off the casinos that existed in the 70's and 80's. Obviously, that has changed drastically. Most of the mathematics and strategies are described for single, double and four deck games, which still exist, but more common these days are six or eight deck games. The only other downside is that the author is paranoid and obsessed with the topic of casino cheating.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is intersted in Blackjack, regardless of their skill level. There is information for anyone in this book!

This is the type of book that, if I were to look at it now after having learned a lot about blackjack, I would probably consider one of the "dumb" or "mainstream" books that try to convince you there's a system you can use to beat roulette. I think the title might help lend it this idea as well.

But in reality this is the book that started it all for me. I don't know why I chose it first, but I learned *everything* about blackjack from this book, except for advanced card-counting techniques (which are here as well, but I chose to learn a simpler system, the KO Count). This book does an excellent job of describing the game for those who are new to it, and it presents Basic Strategy very clearly and concisely. I still refer to it to refresh my memory every time I go to a casino. In a lot of ways it really is one of the greatest books, at least in my experience.

This is very good blackjack book. It's very entertaining andeasy to read. The first part of the book concentrates on introducingyou to the gambling world and how it works, with interesting anecdotes as well as useful info. Later in the book he introduces the Hi-Opt I counting system. A very easy to learn and powerful system. Nevertheless the system is weak when certain rules are implemented by the casinos. For example, if the casinos in your area use 6 decks and play european style, this book will be worth it's weight in dirt. It's truely for the amateur player who goes to casinos strictly for fun or to break even. END

Humble and Cooper's treatise on blackjack is far and away the best blackjack book on the market. Anyone interested in learning the game of blackjack or mastering advanced blackjack skills (e.g., card counting and betting strategies) needs to pick up this book. Although it is very lengthy and contains some fluff that could have been omitted, the book presents all aspects of the game in an easy to read format. Best of all, it contains percentages and mathematical information for those inclined to learn the game in a more academic manner, and also contains easy to read charts and more basic explanations of concepts for the more practical reader. The book is entertaining and informative, but most importantly, the information is accurate and reliable. I haven't found another book that tops this one - it makes a great reference to hang onto before trips to Vegas or the riverboats. Even though it is extremely long, the one chapter on basic strategy can be read in about twenty minutes (it's what makes the book worth the money). All in all, you simply can't go wrong with this Bible of Blackjack! Good luck!

I've been playing blackjack since I read this book in 1990 and I'm still ahead of the casinos. I've kept a spreadsheet of play now for over ten years, so I know this book works.

HiOpt 1 is the card counting method of this book it is not quite as easy or powerfull as the simple hi lo method however it is better because it is more accurate when used to modify basic strat tables. No one can use card counting to its full potential withought geeting caught so the money variations are made smaller...that is were this book comes in: it presents another way to count cards and make money without large fluctuations in the amount of money being bet per hand...modified stratagie based off of increased knoledge through counting. If you already know the simple Hi-Lo card method and dont want to learn HiOpt 1 try reading books by Stanford Wong. I learned Hi-Lo first.

This book started me on the way to making card counting a lifelong hobby. I am planning to send copies to some of my Vegas trip friends so that they can understand the passion I have for playing a system like HI-OPT 1. Easy to learn- not just for geniuses, thank goodness. Would like to see Cooper and Humble do a reprint to update things like Vegas casinos, etc. In case you haven't noticed, there's a few that have sprung up over the past 12 years.

Lance Humble and Clark Cooper, The World's Greatest Blackjack Book (revised edition) (Broadway Books, 1980)

The problem with the classic in the genre, Edward Thorp's Beat the Dealer, is that it's simply too complex for English majors like me to figure out. If you don't have a head for numbers, trying to put Thorp's work into practice is liable to send you to the nuthatch for long stretches of time. Humble and Cooper, after a good deal of expository prose (most of which is long, long out of date-- much of it, they surmise at various times, was probably out of date by the time the book rolled off the press), introduce first a basic non-counting system, then build on that to introduce the Hi-Opt (High Optimization) counting system. As it's a gradual process, it's already easier for boneheads like me to make sense out of. It does get complicated towards the end, of course, but as you're learning it in steps, things certainly seem a good deal easier. Besides, the big fad these days is Texas Hold 'Em, so you might actually be able to find a seat at the blackjack tables for once (or, better yet, at a no-dealer game administered by machine, where you can range your bets without a pit boss getting after you). The expository prose may be outdated, but the system is a "now more than ever" kind of thing. *** ½

The is the most straightforward book on any gambling topic I have ever read. Finally, a book that shots straight, and uses fact to support its arguements. 90% of all casino books are foolishly written, and based entirely on LUCK. These authors not only wrote a complete mathematical arguement, but supported each possible play with an actual occurence they encountered in casino play. Even if you aren't looking to conquer the casinos, this book is well worth the price in entertainment value.

PS: I'm doing very well with the system...