John Patrick's Blackjack: So You Wanna Be a Gambler' (Paperback)

by John Patrick (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
PATRICK HEADS LIST OF SEMINAR SPEAKERS...................For the second year in a row, John Patrick, one of the countrys most controversial teachers of casino games, will be headlining the list of Seminar Speakers at the Midwest Gaming Expo at the Chicago South Expo Center in Harvey Illinois.

Last year, with a record turnout, Patrick charmed audiences with exerpts from his Blackjack book, and other gaming books that he presented. This writer can personally vouch for the fantastic amount of information given in his Blackjack book (Personally, the only game I play),

My suggestion is to read this entertaining and enlightening version of the correct way to play Blackjack. -- Ron Koziel, Chicago Herald --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
This Blackjack book is a basic look at the most popular game in the casino. Currently in its 11th printing, the Money Management and Disciplines principles, outlined in detail, give the average player an excellent chance to compete sensibly at this table game.

Ith book covers Basic Strategy, betting procedures, and how to properly conduct yourself at the table. Like all my books, the emphasis is on the Money Management chapters and the reader is guided through the entire process of learning how to win..................... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0818405554
• ISBN-13: 978-0818405556
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #851,313 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #93 in

  Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Card Games > Blackjack

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars So you wanna be a loser?, June 22, 1998

By A Customer

Hard to tell where to start...

The correct way to play each hand without counting cards (called Basic Strategy) has now been known for over 40 years. Amazingly, this book dismisses these facts and recommends well over a dozen mistakes in their place. To put into perspective how bad this book is, John Patrick actually recommends splitting a pair of fives against a dealer's six.

His book is replete with coupons and offers to play in different casinos in Atlantic City and Nevada. This fact alone, that fact being casinos are BEGGING you to come play at their tables and play blackjack the John Patrick way, should tell you everything you need to know about a John Patrick gambling system.

There are many good books in the Amazon listing. This book is definitely among the very worst of the WORST of them, rivaled only by John Patrick's other gambling writings as to which one comes in last place.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Patrick doesn't understand BJ math, June 23, 2000

By	Shawn Brock "vbslinger" (Fairborn, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So You Wanna Be Gambler! Blackjack (Paperback)

I bought this and his advanced BJ book at the same time. I have read several books and I must say that Patrick has no idea what math is all about. Many of the book's tactics violate simple Basic Strategy - which has been proven by BILLIONS of computer simulated hands. If you play his strategies you will lose as a matter of mathematical fact.

There is some decent attempts at humor, but that's it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patrick knows What He's Doing, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

Follow Patrick's advice if you're willing to accept small, consistent returns. If you want someone to tell you that once you win to keep playing and be greedy, go somewhere else. Yes, he admits his basic strategy is slightly different from the time worn model, but his is geared toward conservative players. He recommends socking it to the dealer when he is weak, and not doubling down against power cards. If you follow Mr. Patricks advice of the Big 4, you WILL win. Not every trip to the casino, but overall. To all the detractors that wrote bad reviews of the book: If his methods did not work, how has he stayed one of the most respected and well known professional gamblers?