Casino Games History Or How People Have Learnt To Count Cards Part2.
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Recreation Sports -> subcategory Gambling Casinos.
The History of Casino Games: Card Counting Revolution Part 2
Introduction
We are currently in the 43rd year of what can be dubbed as Thorp’s era?"a period that transformed blackjack and the entire gambling industry. Edward O. Thorp's contributions were so impactful that building a monument in his honor, funded by casinos themselves, seems only fitting.
Thorp’s Revolutionary Approach
When Edward O. Thorp was a young scientist, he devoured mathematical journals while dealing with financial constraints. The allure of winning against casinos through calculations drove him to explore the theories of the "excellent four" and see if they held up.
His research culminated in the groundbreaking book, Beat the Dealer, which has sold nearly a million copies. Thorp, however, chose a unique path. Instead of relying solely on analytic calculations, he employed IBM mainframe computers and wrote Fortran programs to craft original strategies for the 1960s. Alongside his mentor, Claude Elwood Shannon?"a leading scientist?"Thorp tackled the intriguing challenge of beating roulette.
The Impact of Card Counting
Thorp realized that "dead cards" significantly influenced the player's odds. By memorizing these cards in a simplified manner, players could place higher bets when the situation was favorable. This method became the foundation for all future blackjack counting systems.
Although Thorp's counting system was initially complex, requiring intense concentration and mental arithmetic, it proved feasible with practice. The book's instant success and bestseller status made it clear: simplicity can tip the scales in favor of the player, enticing dreams of big wins. However, casinos were aware of this new threat.
The Casino Panic
In 1962, after the release of Thorp's book, Las Vegas casinos unanimously changed their rules, fearing a surge of "system players." Unfortunately, the new rules deterred players, leading to a drastic drop in blackjack participation. To survive, casinos reverted to their original rules within a few months.
Thorp’s book also sparked blackjack's popularity surge, surpassing craps as America's favorite game. Many who saw themselves as winners rushed to the tables, yet without a solid grasp of the game’s mathematical principles, most left empty-handed, benefiting the casinos.
Simplifying the System
The complex system in Thorp's first edition needed simplification. Enter Julian Braun?"an exceptional mathematician and programmer. Despite rarely playing live blackjack, Braun executed millions of deals on the computer. His collaboration with Thorp revolutionized the counting system with the Hi-Lo method.
Braun’s enhancements to the system, featured in the second edition of Thorp's book, marked a pivotal shift in gambling. Working at IBM with access to powerful computers, Braun crafted a simple yet effective tool to challenge casinos.
The Legacy Continues
Braun's calculations inspired Lawrence Revere to create his own counting system, presented in accessible tables now used worldwide. Lance Humble also built his HiOpt systems based on Braun's innovations. Despite likely never visiting a casino, Julian Braun became a seminal figure?"behind the scenes but at the forefront of blackjack's evolution.
Conclusion
The legacy of Thorp's and Braun's pioneering work in blackjack continues to influence the landscape of casino games today, with methods and strategies that forever changed the way players interact with the game.
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