Casino Games. How Professional Black Jack Started.
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Recreation Sports -> subcategory Gambling Casinos.
The Origins of Professional Blackjack
Introduction
The world of professional blackjack is shrouded in myths, especially regarding players who allegedly mastered the game before the introduction of basic strategy by Cantey, McDermott, Maisel, and Baldwin in 1958. These four statisticians, using only hand calculators, published groundbreaking work in the American Statistical Association Journal. This stirred excitement among both gamblers and statisticians, suggesting that blackjack was a game even casual players could potentially win.
The Dawn of a New Era
Following the article's success, the authors published "Winning Blackjack." Though rare today, this book remains a valuable addition to any professional gambler's library. In 1962, Edward Thorp transformed the scene by employing computer technology to develop and publish not only basic strategies but also card counting techniques in his book "Beat the Dealer."
Thorp's Innovative Approach
Thorp argued that blackjack, unlike games of pure chance such as roulette or craps, depends on the cards dealt in previous hands. His calculations remain largely accurate, although modern serious gamblers view his work primarily as a historical reference.
The "10 Count System," designed for single-deck games prevalent in Nevada casinos, was notoriously complex, causing many to abandon it. As casinos responded by altering rules, such as restricting double downs, the media attention forced them to revert to previous regulations. To counteract the wave of card counters, casinos introduced tactics like shuffling after a trim card and multi-deck games.
Technological Advancements and Blackjack Evolution
Thorp's system was challenging to implement until a computer conference in Las Vegas in 1963 changed the landscape. Organizers whimsically included a session on "Using Computers in Games of Chance and Skill," drawing an overwhelming crowd of gamblers eager for insights. Thorp, leading the panel, was the main attraction.
Among other presenters, Harvey Dubner introduced a more practical approach. He tracked high cards (10, J, Q, K, A) and low cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and divided the difference by the total cards left, creating the High-Low Ratio. This straightforward system captivated the audience and was incorporated into the second edition of "Beat the Dealer" in 1966.
Legacy and Impact
Dubner’s High-Low system revolutionized blackjack strategy, paving the way for over a hundred professional books on blackjack, team play, hidden computer tactics, and shuffle tracking. These innovations continue to challenge casino security worldwide, making sleepless nights for many.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Casino Games. How Professional Black Jack Started..
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.