Revere invented a new simple counting system and first described the method of reducing the current score to the real one. Stanford Wong amplified and improved Hi-Lo system, and also developed the Halves system. Lance Humble, Brison, Gordon, Harvey Dubner, – all these giants made a great contribution to the development of the methods of the game.

In late 70s the professional gambler Al Francesco, probably created the first blackjack team in history. He hired the enthusiasts, taught them Lawrence Revere’s counting system and sent them to play. He invented and put into practice the principle of “BIG PLAYER” – when the part of the team is humbly playing low and some drunken and wealthy fish makes high bets on the given signals.

Ken Uston also belonged to this team. Uston was the vice president of fund stock exchange at that time. However after meeting Revere he quitted the stock exchange and changed his strict outfit for magnificent bush of hair, golden chains and silk shirts with huge collars in the style of that time.

Uston played for Francesco’s team for quite a long time and with varied success, but his ego did stand it under the pressure of his own ego. He had a very high opinion of himself and wanted to be the first in everything. He left Francesco and wrote several books about his adventures. The books simply exploded the gambling world.

The book “BIG PLAYER” revealed the secrets of team game. The Book “Million Dollar Blackjack” is stuffed with unbelievable stories in intervals explaining the technical aspects also presents different cards counting systems. Uston made people believe that one can beat casino playing blackjack. Win a lot. Millions of dollars. Also everyone found out how casinos react to the professional gamblers – slams, insinuations, blacklists, crooked gambling, false accusations. Uston was in the blacklists all over the world, having won with his several teams about 8 million dollars.

By the way, Al Francesco and many other players are still dissatisfied with Uston’s actions who decided to publish the methods of the game which were then available only to the few. But Uston would not be himself if he had not done it.

The next outburst of his popularity was in early 80s, when Ken won the case against a casino in New Jersey (Resorts International Hotel Inc.). Since then no casino of this state (unlike, for example, Las Vegas in Nevada) is not eligible to prohibit playing to person who can count cards. On the other hand, this verdict made the rules in Nevada much worse than in Vegas.

The next wave of the struggle between the casino and counters relates to Uston’s era. The casinos understood, that well-financed team of pros can cause great losses. And then the multidecked games, frequent riffle were coming into fashion and several good rules just died away. There appeared special detective agencies who spied on the professional players, collected the necessary information about them and distributed it among the casinos.

Uston created new methods of the game, used makeup, recruited more and more people in his teams and started playing abroad. He also was writing new books, was starring on TV, was writing new articles, was developing new counting systems. By the way Ken, wrote the book on optimal game strategy for Pac-Man (arcade video game). It’s a video game not for money, he was just interested in it.

One of the most scandalous Kenny’s projects was creating the team against the casino with using the computer. They used hidden on the body and in the shoes micro chips that calculated the current situation in the game more precisely than any other “human” strategy and gave the necessary signals to the player. His teams almost broke several casinos, but in a while they were caught, arrested and accused of fraud, the computer was confiscated. However, the experts including FBI experts, proved that there was no fraud and the accusations were withdrawn. In two weeks the Supreme Court of the USA of Nevada State made the usage of computing devices in casinos illegal…

Kenny was a good guy, the heart of the company, first class jazz musician, loved by women and press. He had great plans on making a film, writing new books, arranging one more trial, and surely new projects on blackjack. His life was suddenly interrupted in 1983 and the version that casinos are privy to his death is not cast back yet.

Casino Games History Or How People Have Learnt To Count Cards Part3. is a post from: Online Casino Blog

Being a young scientist, Edward O. Thorp regularly read mathematic journals. When he was a student, he was pressed for money. The idea of outplaying the casino on the basis of calculations appealed to Thorp and he decided to check the results of the “excellent four” and see what will come out of it. The result of his activity was a phenomenal book Beat The Dealer, now its sales are approaching million of samples.

Thorp chose the other way – he did not make analytical calculations, but with powerful at that time computer IBM (they were also called mainframe) he wrote several programs on Fortran, creating quite original methods for 60s. By the way, Thorp together with his research instructor Claude Elwood Shannon, a great scientist, were also involved in solving the problem “how to outplay the roulette?”

From his calculations Thorp understood that dead cards had a considerable affect on the gambler’s chances this or that way. His main idea was about memorizing the dead cards in somewhat simplified way and when the situation is beneficial for the player, make high stakes. By the way, this system still remains the basis of any methods and counting systems of blackjack.

The counting system introduced by Thorp, was rather complicated for usage in real casinos, required great concentration and large amount of mentally arithmetic actions. However with good training there was nothing impossible in its application.

Thorp’s book immediately became a success and bestseller. Everyone understood that with quite simple actions you can get an advantage. Every reader dreamt of enormous prizes. However, the casinos also knew the score.

Panic seized them. And in 1962 after Thorp’s book, all Las Vegas Casinos without exception changed their rules being afraid of mass influx of “system players”. The quality of the rules worsened terribly and no counting system could ever help you to win. Though the effect for casino turned out to be quite unpredictable and reverse – people stopped playing blackjack. And during several months, all the casinos had to return to the former rules for their own survival.

Another interesting effect caused by Thorp’s book- incredible popularity of blackjack outrunning the favorite American craps. A lot of people, after reading the book considered themselves potential winners and rushed to the blackjack tables. However, most of them had a bad understanding of the mathematical principles of the game did not become winners but quite vice versa. Therefore, casino got more clients and moreover losing clients. Since then their number is only increasing.

The system presented in the first edition of Thorp’s book was quite difficult even for professionals and only the few could apply it under the conditions of a real game. Something should be simplified.

The power behind the throne.
Julian Braun is quite a unique personality. He had hardly ever played a deal in real blackjack. But he played millions and maybe even billions of deals on the computer. Braun was a good mathematician and programmer and he got interested in Thorp’s idea and offered him cooperation in the sphere of calculations and programming.

Braun became the person who first invented the counting system Hi-Lo. He was behind the development of all modern systems the authorship of which belongs to Revere, Humble, Wong and Uston. He wrote the only book How to Play Winning Blackjack, but what a book!

Braun upgraded Thorp’s system on FORTRAN and made considerable changes and the second edition of Thorp’s book also contained Hi-Lo system in its modern form. It was quite a revolution in gambling world. Braun worked in IBM corporation and had access to probably most powerful computers of that time. This fact helped to build simple and efficient tool in struggle with casino.

Using Braun’s calculations the gambler mostly known as Lawrence Revere developed his own counting system and presented his results in the form of convenient tables which are applied in most counters of the world. Lance Humble based his HiOpt systems on Braun’s experience.

Regardless the fact that Julian most probably had never been to the casino, he became a power behind the throne of the blackjack and all the mathematical modeling of the game fell on him.

Casino Games History Or How People Have Learnt To Count Cards Part2. is a post from: Online Casino Blog

Besides, as has been mentioned, Thorp, while building his strategy presumed that cards were not often shuffled, in particular, if after finishing of a regular game there were still cards left in a pack, a croupier did not collect the thrown-away by the gamblers cards but dealt them anew (and the next game was played), and only after complete exhaustion of a pack, an official of a gambling house collected all the cards, thoroughly shuffled them and a new “cycle” began. Naturally, if a gambler had a good memory he could change his strategy depending on the knowledge of the cards which had gone out of the game, and what cards could still be counted upon. It is important to remember that a croupier himself who was to strictly follow the directions of the casino’s owners practically without changing his strategy!

Thorp set himself a task to formulate the rules which would allow him to calculate probabilities of taking out one or another card out of an incomplete pack. Knowing these probabilities a gambler could already with reasonable assurance draw cards from the widow without being too much afraid of “a pip out”, and besides, on the basis of the knowledge of some aspects of a croupier’s strategy to make suppositions about those cards which he had, and other gamblers as well. Naturally, as a gambler was to make a decision with regard to a widow very quickly, the sought rules for calculation of probabilities were to be rather simple for a gambler to be able to use them “in mind” with the help of neither a calculator, nor a pen and paper (even if we suppose that a gambler will be given a chance to do calculation on paper, it will certainly arise suspicion). Edward Thorp managed to solve this mathematical problem having created rather simple algorithms for calculation of probabilities of taking out of one or another card from a pack, and using them to build a strategy of the game of twenty-one which would not be very complicated, allowing a gambler to considerably increase his chances of winning!

As the Hungarian mathematician A.Reni states after a few days of presenting his report on the obtained results at the meeting of the American Maths Society in 1960 in Washington “Thorp received from a businessman a letter with a check for 1 thousand dollars intended for checking of a winning strategy in practice. Thorp accepted the check and having learnt the formulated by him rules left for Nevada to try his discovery. The trial went well: less than after two hours Thorp won 17 thousand dollars.

Needless to say, the owner of a gambling house didn’t share Thorp and his companion’s delight with regard to a successful comeout of the trial and the next day did his best to prevent Thorp from joining in the game. Later on Thorp tried to penetrate into other gambling houses, but the news of him had already spread far and wide, so that the doors of all the gambling houses appeared to be closed for him. Several times having adjusted a fake beard or having got a make up of a Chinese, Thorp managed to get to the gaming-table, but in any disguise his constant gain invariably gave him away. Thorp had to refuse from further checking of the strategy developed by him”. Though “additional checks” were “necessary” only to enrich the pockets of the talented mathematician. One could hardly doubt that E.Thorp managed to create a real winning strategy!

However, since he could no longer benefit from his discovery himself, he decided to render “welfare assistance” to his colleagues having published in 1961 a small article in an American academic journal (Thorp E.O. “A favourable strategy for twenty-one”, Proc.Nat.Acad.Sci., 47, 110-112, (1961)). And despite the small size of the article and, consequently, an extremely condensed form of persentment, made it comprehensible for rather a narrow group of professionals, one can be sure that a number of American scientists and their friends certainly “improved” their material situation (owners of gambling houses were unlikely to read scientific magazines at that time).

Casino Games And Mathematics. Part Two. is a post from: Online Casino Blog

One can often hear that the best piece of advice given by a mathematician to a lover of gambling games is an assertion which lies in the fact that the best strategy in gambling games is complete abstention from participation in them. A lot of mathematicians consider that the most which the theory of probability and the theory of games can give a gambler are the strategies following which he won’t lose too much.

It is difficult to predict whether the American mathematician Edward Thorp shared this view, when once spending winter holidays in Las-Vegas, he, having entered a casino, decided to try his luck in the game of twenty-one. As it turned out, “Dame Fortune” was extremely unkind to him. We do not know for sure what amount of money this teacher of mathematics of one of American universities lost that winter night at the end of the 50-s – the beginning of the 60-s of the last century, however, judging by the following events the amount was not small. Otherwise, how can we account for the fact that development of an optimal strategy of this game became for a number of years an “idte fixe” of our hero. Besides, the matter was not only in the quantity of money lost by the mathematician. Perhaps, Thorp was simply an extremely venturesome person, and his pride both of a gambler and an expert-mathematician was hurt. Besides, he could suspect a croupier of dishonesty, since, as he had noticed, cards were not shuffled after each game. Though, during the game itself it did not make him very uneasy. However, afterwards, having visited casinos a number of times, he noticed that as the rules did not presuppose obligatory shuffling of cards after each game, so it was difficult to accuse a croupier of anything. Anyway, he managed to develop a winning strategy in the game of twenty-one.

This strategy among other things was based on the same very aspect which had put a defeated mathematician on his guard – cards were not shuffled too often. At that, this, apparently, as a rule, was done not because of some evil design, but in order to avoid, so to say, unnecessary slowdowns in the game. The results of his studies Edward Thorp put forth in a book published in 1962 (Thorp E.O Beat the dealer. A winning strategy for the game of twenty one. – New York: Blaisdell,1962.) which made owners of gambling houses in the state of Nevada essentially change the rules of the game of twenty-one. But let’s not ride before the hounds.

In accordance with the game rules of twenty-one of that time one croupier dealt gamblers two cards each out of a thoroughly shuffled pack consisting of 52 cards. Gamblers themselves did not show their cards to a dealing croupier. At the same time out of two cards taken for himself an official of a casino showed one of them (usually the first one) to gamblers. Gamblers evaluate their cards according to the following scale. Jacks, queens and kings have a value equal to 10 points, an ace could be assigned either 1 point or 11 points, the value of the rest of the cards coincided with their numerical value (eights had 8 points, nines took 9, and etc). That gambler was considered a winner who had cards on hand with the sum of points closest to 21 from the bottom. At that, having assessed the received cards every gambler (including a croupier) had a right to take from a pack or putting it simpler, take a “widow”, any amount of cards. However, if, as a result, the total number of points after a widow, will exceed 21 points then a gambler must drop out of a game having shown his cards.

Special rules were established with regard to stakes. Initially, upper and lower bounds were set, and every gambler had a right of choice of a specific stake (within these bounds) depending on the evaluation of his position. If, as a result, it turned out that in accordance with the game rules a casino’s visitor had a “better” number of points on hand than a croupier had, he received a gain in the amount of the stake that he had made, otherwise, this gambler lost his stake. In case of an equal number of points of a gambler and a croupier, the game ended in peace, that is the result of the game is considered “harmless” both for a gambler and a casino.

Let’s point out that unlike ordinary gamblers a croupier is not obliged to open his cards in that case if the number of points in these cards exceeds 21. Moreover, after all the gamblers have opened their cards, and therefore, all the stakes go to a casino gamblers cannot practically find out what was the number of points of a croupier, in order to build their game strategy for the next game (whether to risk or not to stand pat, and etc). It goes without saying, it gives a croupier considerable advantages. Besides, all the gamblers are surely aware of this, and, … continue to play. Nothing can be done about it, who does not take risks, as is known, does not win.

Casino Games And Mathematics. Part One. is a post from: Online Casino Blog

The casino’s electronic versions of the regular games are also quirky and fun. There are serious video poker players who stake out the high-paying machines, and gamble only on them. Those who watch a serious video poker player long enough will learn some of their strategies, like the “Jacks or better” version where players favor hands, as the name implies, with a face card in it.

Casino dice games are exciting, but sometimes complicated. Variations include “street craps,” “bank craps” and what some people call “Grand Hazard”. It’s good to know what version of game is going on at the table before you lay your money down. Is the casino paying winners who roll seven or eleven? Or are you gambling, roulette style; on the numbers that come up on the dice roll?

Roulette is said to be one of the most challenging games in the casino. The roulette wheel has up to 38 numbered positions for the little ball to land in. You can start your gambling on a single number, odds or evens and other combinations. If you are a beginner, it’s best to research this one online or at your local bookstore first, as the game can be not only mesmerizing, but also expensive for a beginner.

Casino games are fun, but sometimes it’s a good idea to research first, learn the rules, and then go to the casino armed with your understanding of the rules. This insures maximum fun and a good night out. So what are you waiting for? Familiarize yourself with casino rules and get started having fun!

Casino Games – There Is Something For Everyone is a post from: Online Casino Blog

Nickel slots are by far the most inexpensive way for a newcomer to learn the ropes of casino slot machine gambling. Many of the features are the same, and there are tricks and techniques the seasoned gambling aficionado uses to increase fun and, yes, payoffs. Nickel slots may offer lower payouts, but there is still nothing like the thrill of hitting the jackpot, no matter what machines your casino offers.

Casinos feature just about everything; ‘single coin’ machines, dollar, and progressive slots. The single coin machines are just what their name implies; you are gambling one nickel, quarter, or dollar coin. The dollar slots have a feature where you can play either one coin or more until you reach the maximum bet. (Some dollar slots take up to six quarters, sometimes even more to reach the max). These slots usually have higher payouts depending on how many coins you play. Those used to gambling that maximum amount usually get the best jackpots.

Progressive slots are another type altogether. This is a machine that increases its’ big jackpot depending on how much gambling money has been inserted into the machine up to that point. Some progressive slots are tied to other machines, while others are standalone. Smart players check the readouts on progressive slots until they find the machine with the highest payout. Be sure to double-check the casino guidelines on each machine, as the big money usually doesn’t come unless you bet the maximum.

No matter which machines you prefer; take your time, read the instructions and stick with your spending limits. If you maintain financial control, you will have quite a bit of fun. In fact, you’ll have a blast!

Casino Games – Slots is a post from: Online Casino Blog

In 1962 Edward Thorp this time using computer technologies calculate and published in his book Beat The Dealer not only the basic strategy of playing but also card counting. Thorp states that blackjack differs from roulette, craps and other games of luck, the result of every hand in blackjack depends on the previous dealing – it really matters which cards drew back form the game and which remained in the pack. Most of the stuff calculated by Thorp is still precise, but all the serious modern gamblers should read this book only for historical interest.

Thorp’s system called “10 count system” was meant for one pack game which enjoyed great success in all casinos of Nevada. It was extremely difficult for learning, so most of the gamblers gave it up. However, Nevada’s casinos restricted some rules, for example, doubling down only on 11 points. The media told the whole world about it, and Thorp with his book became known all over the world and the casinos that showed themselves to disadvantage had to return former rules. Realizing that under such circumstances crowds card counters would be trying to beat the house, operators of gambling houses introduced two procedures – shuffling after withdrawal of the trim card and multi-packed games.

Thorp’s systems was very difficult to use in practice. But for the computer conference in Las Vegas in 1963, the game would remain on the same level. On a whim, the conference organizers decided to include a Panel Session on “Using Computers in Games of Chance and Skill.” It was just a whim of the organizers to include a section “Using computers in games of chance and skill”. Thorp was designated as Chairman of the Panel and experts on the various casino games, including blackjack, roulette and baccarat. The room filled up and overflowed with computer gamblers. Hundreds of conference attendees were pushing and shoving to get into the room.

The crowd, of course, had been drawn by Thorp. They were expecting revelations on the game and anticipated using his imparted wisdom immediately following the session to make a killing at the blackjack tables.

After one or two more presentations that mainly corrected and modified Thorp’s system, Harvey Dubner was introduced. He described the approach. Dubner kept a count of remaining high cards (10,J,Q,K,A) and low cards (2,3,4,5,6) as the cards were played and divided its difference by total cards left to play. He called the result the High-Low Ratio. His presentation was enthusiastically received by the standing room only crowd and he was given a round of applause at its conclusion. Here at last, many were saying, is a system that is practical, that can actually be used in the real world of casino play. Thorp incorporated “high-low” system into the second edition of Beat the Dealer published in 1966 and since then over 100 professional books on blackjack, team games, hidden computers, shuffle tracking and sleepless nights for casino securities all over the world.

Casino Games. How Professional Black Jack Started. is a post from: Online Casino Blog

A lot of people visit different casinos all year round. Whether it be in a gambling capital such as Las Vegas or simply at their home, many Americans simply cannot do without casino games. Well, this is not surprising. Casino gambling may mean you’re risking a pot of cash. Yet the betting game and tension, plus the thought of possibly winning the jackpot prize can also be your most exciting adventure ever. Of course, if you bag the gold, the experience becomes more immense.

If you’re too stressed out or bored with your work and daily routine, you definitely need to stretch out yourself and relax. Casino gambling is a great way to release all the tensions in your mind and body. When you visit a real casino, of course, the best part is your being able to enjoy the other facilities, comforts, luxuries, and entertainment offered by the gambling place.

Each time you are enticed by the thrills and fun of casino games, you need to remind yourself though about your limits. Remember the cardinal rule for gamblers? Control, control, and control! Otherwise, you’ll end up empty handed. Worse is that you can literally get hooked with casino gambling. There’s a thin line between moderate gamblers and addicts. Often, many people are too blinded by the excitement that they fail to realize they have already crossed the line. Well, not until their life starts to crumble. For, even a single night of fun can turn into a nightmare the next morning. If you haven’t been careful enough with your bets, then don’t get surprised when you’re confronted by debts the following day.

Casino games are definitely fun and relaxing, for that is their purpose – entertainment. Yet they can also be addictive especially when they are abused. Too often, it’s difficult to tell when you start to become a Casino Gambling addict. Of course, when family members or friends begin to remind you of your gambling, then it’s probably time to check yourself. Of course, do it soon before the addiction devours you and your life. Gambling addiction is also a root of many other problems in the society such as crimes and broken families. If you think you are one or if you know somebody addicted to gambling, do your responsibility of breaking the habit before it starts to break lives and families. Casino gambling is definitely relaxing and entertaining. It eases you from all tensions and pressures. Yet remember, you must always do it with great responsibility.

Casino Gambling: When Fun Becomes Dangerous is a post from: Online Casino Blog

For the card player, casino gambling offers blackjack and poker as main attractions. Casinos vary these games depending on the house rules. Some tables have lower stakes but use more decks to keep the game interesting, other gambling houses feature higher stakes games with one or only a couple of card decks in play. Make sure you know the house rules on subjects like table etiquette and gambling limits before you play. Some houses are very particular about when it’s ok to touch cards, and what’s considered a forfeit. For example, many casinos won’t recognize a hand if any card touches the discard pile. Knowing these details will come in handy when you’re ready to gamble.

The roulette wheel is another kind of gambling altogether. This classic game, along with the dice tables, can be confusing for a newcomer. The best thing to do if you are unfamiliar with any game is to watch and ask questions before putting gambling any money. The casino staff is trained to help you and nobody will think you’re foolish for learning the rules before you put down any cash.

Casino gambling may also include video poker, games of skill and electronic dice games. Once you’ve learned the ins and outs of these games, you may find them as exhilarating as the old-fashioned versions of blackjack, craps and poker. As always, know your limits, go to have fun and enjoy your casino experience!

Casino Gambling – The Choices is a post from: Online Casino Blog

Well, the great thing about casinos especially the real ones is that they mix money with other forms of luxury and amusement. At least, you can divert your attention to many other things just in case you need to get over your losses. You may not win the game, but you can experience the casino lifestyle even if it is only for a few days or hours. Yes! Your casino experience can burn out only in a few hours if things get wrong or luck is against you. In Casino Gambling, you can turn into a millionaire or a bum in an instant. Of course, it’s a different thing when you have gambled more than the money you can afford. In that case, it will be too difficult for you to forget or run away. Not even a luxurious and thrilling experience can take away such a nightmare. That’s why you need to control your gambling.

It is understood that most people would like to win the jackpot. You want the pot of cash, right? The truth in Casino Gambling though is that not all are able to win the money. A casino whether real or online is where the wealthy and poor mix together. It is where people end up as either winners or losers. It is where you can turn yourself into an instant millionaire or someone poorer than your current status. In order to boost your chances of winning, you definitely should know the rules of the game.

In Casino Gambling, your key to winning the entire game is discipline. In other words, control, control, and control. You should always keep this important factor in mind. Whether you are playing in a real casino or simply inside your home, you should know when to stop. Discipline keeps you ahead in any game. Of course, the task is more difficult when you are in a real casino since you can be carried away by the flow of excitement. Needless to say, the same control is needed whether you are gambling inside or outside your home. If you’re losing the game, don’t attempt to recover your losses by trying out other games. This is a risky option and it doesn’t work most of the time. When you start to feel and think it’s time to stop, then decide to stop immediately. Casino Gambling is certainly fun, but don’t be caught up by its allure. If you want to play more, then you need to save again before you go for the next game.

Casino Gambling: Taking Full Control Over The Games is a post from: Online Casino Blog