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Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One
The Book That Made Las Vegas Change the Rules
Over 1,000,000 Copies in Print
Edward O. Thorp is the father of card counting, and in this classic guide he shares the revolutionary point system that has been successfully used by professional and amateur card players for generations. This book
o an overview of the basic rules of the game
o proven winning strategies ranging from simple to advanced
o methods to overcome casino counter measures
o ways to spot cheating
o charts and tables that clearly illustrate key concepts
A fascinating read and an indispensable resource for winning big, Beat the Dealer is the bible for players of this game of chance.
**Bring these strategies into the Perforated cards included in the book**
Over 1,000,000 Copies in Print
Edward O. Thorp is the father of card counting, and in this classic guide he shares the revolutionary point system that has been successfully used by professional and amateur card players for generations. This book
o an overview of the basic rules of the game
o proven winning strategies ranging from simple to advanced
o methods to overcome casino counter measures
o ways to spot cheating
o charts and tables that clearly illustrate key concepts
A fascinating read and an indispensable resource for winning big, Beat the Dealer is the bible for players of this game of chance.
**Bring these strategies into the Perforated cards included in the book**
220 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
340 people are currently reading
3432 people want to read
About the author
Edward O. Thorp
18 books346 followersEdward Oakley "Ed" Thorp (born 14 August 1932) is an American mathematics professor, author, hedge fund manager, and blackjack player best known as the "father of the wearable computer" after inventing the world's first wearable computer in 1961. He was a pioneer in modern applications of probability theory, including the harnessing of very small correlations for reliable financial gain[citation needed].
He is the author of Beat the Dealer, the first book to mathematically prove, in 1962, that the house advantage in blackjack could be overcome by card counting. He also developed and applied effective hedge fund techniques in the financial markets, and collaborated with Claude Shannon in creating the first wearable computer.
Thorp received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1958, and worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1959 to 1961. He was a professor of mathematics from 1961 to 1965 at New Mexico State University, and then joined the University of California, Irvine where he was a professor of mathematics from 1965 to 1977 and a professor of mathematics and finance from 1977 to 1982.
He is the author of Beat the Dealer, the first book to mathematically prove, in 1962, that the house advantage in blackjack could be overcome by card counting. He also developed and applied effective hedge fund techniques in the financial markets, and collaborated with Claude Shannon in creating the first wearable computer.
Thorp received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1958, and worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1959 to 1961. He was a professor of mathematics from 1961 to 1965 at New Mexico State University, and then joined the University of California, Irvine where he was a professor of mathematics from 1965 to 1977 and a professor of mathematics and finance from 1977 to 1982.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 28, 2022
I guess other kids were reading Old Yeller, but my dad gave me this book to read before my 10th birthday. Dad fascinated with black jack and specifically the mathematical strategy behind winning.
He would play blackjack with me in the morning before school. He would empty his wallet and give us his money to wager. We had to call out the math every time we hit. A great way to learn math.
From blackjack I would move on to poker and dad probably preferred craps, but we both loved talking about this game and the strategy.
He would play blackjack with me in the morning before school. He would empty his wallet and give us his money to wager. We had to call out the math every time we hit. A great way to learn math.
From blackjack I would move on to poker and dad probably preferred craps, but we both loved talking about this game and the strategy.
August 20, 2009
Beat the Dealer by Edward O Thorp (pp. 240)
Written in 1966, this is THE original gambling book. It started the blackjack craze in the 60s. Thorp was the scientist/math geek behind finding the best and most winning strategy for blackjack. He also backed up his theories by playing in the casinos and winning.
Considering the book is almost 50 years old, its information still holds. Thorp focuses mostly on single deck blackjack and card counting as a strategy to gain a positive edge against the casino. Today, his strategies on blackjack make it the best game a gambler can play in casino. If you’ve ever seen someone with one of those white laminated credit card sized strategy cards, you can thank Mr. Thorp. The book explains the math behind the decisions presented on the card and why play is altered in certain situations.
The book explains some card counting methods. Not everyone has the attention span to be a perfect counter, but having an understanding of how the systems work makes sitting at a table more interesting and entertaining. A re-read of Ben Mezrich’s book: Bringing Down the House would also be a worthwhile endeavor after reading Beat the Dealer.
My only complaint with the book is some of the presentation of math at times reads like a technical paper and can get cumbersome with flipping back and forth between charts, but the information provided far outweighs some of the presentation issues.
Written in 1966, this is THE original gambling book. It started the blackjack craze in the 60s. Thorp was the scientist/math geek behind finding the best and most winning strategy for blackjack. He also backed up his theories by playing in the casinos and winning.
Considering the book is almost 50 years old, its information still holds. Thorp focuses mostly on single deck blackjack and card counting as a strategy to gain a positive edge against the casino. Today, his strategies on blackjack make it the best game a gambler can play in casino. If you’ve ever seen someone with one of those white laminated credit card sized strategy cards, you can thank Mr. Thorp. The book explains the math behind the decisions presented on the card and why play is altered in certain situations.
The book explains some card counting methods. Not everyone has the attention span to be a perfect counter, but having an understanding of how the systems work makes sitting at a table more interesting and entertaining. A re-read of Ben Mezrich’s book: Bringing Down the House would also be a worthwhile endeavor after reading Beat the Dealer.
My only complaint with the book is some of the presentation of math at times reads like a technical paper and can get cumbersome with flipping back and forth between charts, but the information provided far outweighs some of the presentation issues.
November 30, 2012
If you play blackjack, you must read this book. The author, E.O. Thorp invented the 'basic system' that every good blackjack player memorizes. Thorp invented and perfected card counting and the odds. Thorp actually was so effective, he changed the way casinos deal and manage blackjack.
This is the original book on blackjack. All the others are derivatives of this one.
The book settings are dated (would love to see an updated version) but the guidelines of beating blackjack are here. Thorp was the one who established such rules as "stand when dealer shows a 6"; "double-down on a soft 18 when dealer shows a face card"; "never split 4s" etc. It is all here.
This is the original book on blackjack. All the others are derivatives of this one.
The book settings are dated (would love to see an updated version) but the guidelines of beating blackjack are here. Thorp was the one who established such rules as "stand when dealer shows a 6"; "double-down on a soft 18 when dealer shows a face card"; "never split 4s" etc. It is all here.
June 10, 2022
Beat the Dealer. WOW this book was amazingly interesting in how it took fact, science, massive research, and personal adventures to go and explain something so massive and so simply complex that it can break the average mind just trying to use it. This book while helping explain basic strategy in blackjack is also amazing to use as a learning tool to just learn more about the game and how it works.
I started reading this book to fill my time and learn some new things. And on the way started winning in casual blackjack games. This book is great for the curious but very determined powerful mind. Cause it takes a lot of math and situational skill on top of pure memory to do the strats in this book.
Overall i would recommend this book to all who are interested in blackjack, cards games, learning, love math, not wasting time, and blowing friends and families member's minds with these cool stats. Would read it again and again.
I started reading this book to fill my time and learn some new things. And on the way started winning in casual blackjack games. This book is great for the curious but very determined powerful mind. Cause it takes a lot of math and situational skill on top of pure memory to do the strats in this book.
Overall i would recommend this book to all who are interested in blackjack, cards games, learning, love math, not wasting time, and blowing friends and families member's minds with these cool stats. Would read it again and again.
July 9, 2014
When this book was published in the mid-sixties, I'm sure it created quite a storm. I don't think it's applicable now for one simple reason: the book's system assumes there is only one deck in play. Unless you're ultra-rich, I doubt you'll find a single-deck table anywhere. It was an interesting artifact, but I think I will need to read a more modern book to deal with the multi-deck shoe games that are extant now.
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January 21, 2016gud
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2022
A long time ago, a boy was left starry-eyed by offhand comment by his father, at a massive game of blackjack hosted by his grandmother at a Chinese New Year gathering. "If the dealer's up card is a 5, it's free money." Years later, and now a student of mathematics and probability himself, the boy understands that the jibe was wholly inapplicable to the game at hand. (Reason: grandmother's friends took turns being the dealer; house rules did not apply.) But it was fun learning why.
The once earth-shattering science of counting cards is today the subject of portrayals in popular media, ruthless countermeasures in casinos, and of course, the very much unrealised dreams of the young. I am confident the system can be mastered sooner that one completes a short course on EdX; I am less sure we will find enough opportunity for profit in today's environment to justify it.
As much a book of history and a damning account of man's greed as it is a math tutorial, Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One is written in the crisp and conscientious prose of a professor acquainted with the world beyond academia. Thorp even has the occasional flourish that would tickle readers of fiction.
Even so, many parts of the book are encyclopaedic and textbook-like, expanded to address technicals that a handful of casinos have in force. The reader is advised to focus on its gist, it tables, and the broader story of gambling within which it has firmly engraved its mark.
The once earth-shattering science of counting cards is today the subject of portrayals in popular media, ruthless countermeasures in casinos, and of course, the very much unrealised dreams of the young. I am confident the system can be mastered sooner that one completes a short course on EdX; I am less sure we will find enough opportunity for profit in today's environment to justify it.
As much a book of history and a damning account of man's greed as it is a math tutorial, Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One is written in the crisp and conscientious prose of a professor acquainted with the world beyond academia. Thorp even has the occasional flourish that would tickle readers of fiction.
Even so, many parts of the book are encyclopaedic and textbook-like, expanded to address technicals that a handful of casinos have in force. The reader is advised to focus on its gist, it tables, and the broader story of gambling within which it has firmly engraved its mark.
Read
December 25, 2020Оригинальная книга, навсегда изменившая блэкджек. Отец подсчета карт подробно описывает свою революционную систему начисления очков, которая дает игрокам в блэкджек преимущество, необходимое для победы.
Эдвард О. Торп - отец подсчета карт, и в книге «Побей дилера» он раскрывает революционную систему начисления очков, которая успешно используется профессиональными и любителями карточных игроков на протяжении двух поколений. От Лас-Вегаса до Монте-Карло ситуация изменилась, и как оффлайн, так и онлайн казино больше не имеет преимущества в блэкджеке.
Содержит основные правила игры, проверенные стратегии выигрыша, способы преодоления контрмер в казино и выявления мошенничества. Beat the Dealer - это библия для игроков в этой азартной игре. Перфорированные карты, включенные в книгу, - удобный способ привнести стратегии в казино.
Выигрышная стратегия для игры в 21. Основное, сведенное в простые диаграммы, может понять и запомнить средний игрок.
Эдвард О. Торп - отец подсчета карт, и в книге «Побей дилера» он раскрывает революционную систему начисления очков, которая успешно используется профессиональными и любителями карточных игроков на протяжении двух поколений. От Лас-Вегаса до Монте-Карло ситуация изменилась, и как оффлайн, так и онлайн казино больше не имеет преимущества в блэкджеке.
Содержит основные правила игры, проверенные стратегии выигрыша, способы преодоления контрмер в казино и выявления мошенничества. Beat the Dealer - это библия для игроков в этой азартной игре. Перфорированные карты, включенные в книгу, - удобный способ привнести стратегии в казино.
Выигрышная стратегия для игры в 21. Основное, сведенное в простые диаграммы, может понять и запомнить средний игрок.
February 17, 2021
This is a very interesting book as a piece of history. Thorp does a great job explaining his systems in a very clear manner and makes it easy for a person who wants to learn those systems learn them. However, by todays standards, the systems look like they can be cumbersome to use in practice. The parts where the author tells his stories about his casino exploits and the chapters on counter measures and cheating were very interesting to read and gave insight into what the gambling world was like back in the early 1960s. While this book may not be as practical today as it was when it first came out, it is a great introduction that will give the reader the sense that Blackjack is not a hopeless endeavor but something that can be beaten.
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October 18, 2022This book may have had its time, but it's pretty outdated in the modern age. Not going to rate bc it may be a good read if you want to see where blackjack has come, but much of what is talked about in here is useless now-a-days. Right from the get go when it said table mins were .50 I knew I was in for it, but 1 deck, shuffle during hands is a thing for the past. End game strategy is essentially useless with current casino counter measures, and all this made me really doubt the percentages and strategy given. Some of the counting strategies are still relevant, but if thats all youre interested in, same yourself the time and google. This book may have started it all, im not sure, which is why Im not gonna rate bc if youre interested in how it all started this may be for you.
April 15, 2025
I picked this up after reading Fortune’s Formula by William Poundstone, which extensively covers Ed Thorp and his exploits in blackjack and the stock market. Beat the Dealer is a classic in the card counting world, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the most engaging read. The chapters on card counting systems can feel a bit tedious if you’re not actively trying to learn and apply them. I enjoyed the more narrative-driven sections—like testing the systems in Vegas and spotting cheating dealers—much more. Overall, it’s hit or miss if you’re reading for fun rather than practicing card counting techniques.
September 1, 2019
I've only played blackjack a few times in casinos before, but a trip with a friend out of town got me back into it again and I decided to take the recommendation to get a baseline knowledge of how to win based on statistics. I read the most up to date version of this off Amazon and although Ed Thorp does include some updates (things like casinos using 6 deck shoes now and other rule variations), most of the information is still good enough to beat the house. Proved this with another casino trip with a friend and turned 200 into 405 when I left.
September 18, 2018
An interesting explanation of the basics of card counting and blackjack and a well told story of the authors personal experiences in the world of gambling and how casinos make sure the players are always at a disadvantage
January 13, 2020
Great book and great knowledge on blackjack. I have not tried his system myself, but I enjoyed the educational lessons he provided. There are other books that have simplified Thorpes' method, but it is wise to start with this book.
January 30, 2021
I read this because an entrepreneur (George Gammon) recommended it as what gave him an advantage starting out. It is interesting, but its utility is confined to blackjack. The applicability in other realms can simply be summed up 'think in terms of statistics'.
January 15, 2025
Although it seems in someway some of the methods are outdated, and some concerns as well (cheating dealers), it’s interesting to read about blackjack, see the origins of counting cards, and how Edward thorp originally was able to beat the dealer
January 25, 2018
An absolute classic, that even prompted legal battles between players and casinos.
April 12, 2018
I've pretty much finished reading the book a while ago, but there's still reference type study with it. I can consider it finished and get it off the current read list now..
November 16, 2018
Still lost some money on gambling haha. Definitely helped me to understand about casino and how to play black jack.
January 7, 2020
Your stock market / quantitative finance 101 book. Period.
April 4, 2020
As a groundbreaking research in the domain of probabilities and betting, an iconic classic. As an enjoyable book has very little to offer. Nice manual if you want to start counting cards.
February 10, 2021
Fascinating, technical but not impenetrable. Not just a theoretical account, contains anecdotes of real world play (and the unexpected problems encountered. Contains all you need to beat blackjack!
May 19, 2022
A classic book with all the necessary old knowledge in card reading. Maybe not appropriate for use in current days. But to understand how card reading works this book is an interesting read.
August 18, 2022
Good read, but a bit too technical on the different system strategies. Was hoping for more anecdotes of the Nevada casinos and the shenanigans that goes on.
June 23, 2023
The gold standard blackjack book. I haven't studied blackjack at the level I have for poker, but this was an eye-opening excursion into the rival game.
October 15, 2023
I just wanted to see what it said.
November 1, 2023
Not me thinking I can take down Vegas blackjack tables now 😂
November 6, 2023
It seems like a fun way to not lose money at a casino if you feel that you must play.
July 25, 2024
Super helpful book, goes through everything you need to know to get started with beating blackjack.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews