The Legacy of Ken Uston in Blackjack

Ken Uston stands out as a legendary figure in blackjack, mainly because of the attention he got for suing a onlinecasinoguide.co.nz in New Jersey. He fought Resorts International because they banned him for counting cards.

Uston teamed up with Roger Rapaport to write a book that shared a new strategy for team card counting. Al Francesco had come up with this approach, and Uston's book made it popular. Players now had a clever way to hide their counting, and it's a method that's still used today, even though casinos know about it.

In "Million Dollar Blackjack," another work by Uston, he was among the first to talk about "Hole Carding." This is when you find a dealer who isn't good at hiding their cards. It's a stronger tactic than card counting and reshaped how pros played blackjack.

In 1979, Uston was not allowed to play in a New Jersey casino, so he took them to court. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in his favor, which meant casinos in New Jersey couldn't kick out players just for being good. The casinos responded by making blackjack harder to beat, with more decks and rules that weren't so great for players at ke-bet.com.

Arnold Snyder's Contributions to Blackjack

Arnold Snyder is a big name in blackjack, having written a lot of books on the subject. He also put out "Blackjack Forum," a magazine for players looking to get an edge.

Snyder taught players about things like how important it is to know how many cards are left to be dealt (deck penetration) and which card counting strategies are actually worth it. He simplified the strategies without making them much less effective. He also wrote the most detailed guide on shuffle tracking.

In his book "The Blackjack Shuffle-Trackers Cookbook," he digs into shuffle tracking and why it can be a win or lose strategy.

Stanford Wong and the 'Wonging' Technique

Stanford Wong, which isn't his real name, came up with a key card counting strategy called "Wonging," or back counting. This technique helps players avoid betting when the odds are not in their favor.

The idea is to watch the game from a distance and only jump in when the cards left to be dealt are good for the player. Once the odds swing back to the house, a "Wonging" player will leave the table. This way, they save money by betting only when the chances are best.

Now, many casinos have rules that stop players from joining a game mid-deck. This was a direct response to the strategies that Al Francesco developed, which Uston and Wong made famous.

Wong has done a lot more for blackjack than just "Wonging." He's written several books about how to get an advantage in different casino games.

Embracing Blackjack Strategies at onlinecasinoguide

onlinecasinoguide celebrates the ingenious strategies and contributions of these blackjack legends by offering players the opportunity to try out techniques like those developed by Uston, Snyder, and Wong. Whether it's learning about deck penetration, shuffle tracking, or the art of 'Wonging', onlinecasinoguide provides a platform for players to explore and employ strategies to elevate their blackjack game. Engaging with the legacy of these experts, onlinecasinoguide ensures that the spirit of innovation in blackjack lives on.

Peter Griffin: A Blackjack Theorist (Inducted 2002)

Peter Griffin might not have a long list of books to his name, but his one key work, 'The Theory of Blackjack', is highly prized in the blackjack community. Experts often refer to Griffin's ideas and techniques to this day.

He was a pioneer in figuring out the casino's edge in blackjack and made it simpler to compare different card counting methods by coming up with ways to measure their effectiveness and accuracy.

Tommy Hyland: The Team Player (Inducted 2002)

Tommy Hyland might not be a household name unless you're deep into card counting. Unlike other well-known players, Hyland has managed to keep a successful blackjack team going for over three decades, which is quite an achievement considering the personalities usually involved in professional play.

Hyland's team has mastered all the major advantage techniques in blackjack and even defended their methods in court. In Canada, they convinced a court that their strategies weren't illegal, despite several casinos claiming otherwise.

Max Rubin: The Casino Comp Expert (Inducted 2004)

Entering the Blackjack Hall of Fame, Max Rubin earned his place for writing 'Comp City: A Guide to Free Gambling Vacations'. This book is a gold mine of secrets on how to make the most of casino reward programs. Rubin shows how players can get more from these programs than they spend at the games, even if they're not into advantage play.

Keith Taft: The Blackjack Inventor (Inducted 2004)

Following Thorp's example in roulette, Keith Taft, along with his son Marty, became legends for using hidden computers to win at blackjack. Keith's inventions were so impactful that they led to changes in gambling laws during the 1980s.

Julien Braun: The Programmer (Inducted 2005)

Julien Braun may not have been a prolific author, but his work in programming played a huge role in blackjack's evolution. Collaborating with Thorp on 'Beat the Dealer', Braun helped create the Hi/Lo counting system, which remains popular among players today.

Authors and players owe a lot to Braun's programming skills, which unveiled secrets that would otherwise remain hidden.

Lawrence Revere: The Player and Author (Inducted 2005)

Lawrence Revere wore two hats: he was a dedicated blackjack player and sometimes worked for the casinos. His book, 'Playing Blackjack as a Business', broke new ground with its advanced counting techniques, which were simpler to use thanks to the concept of the True Count. His methods eased the mental effort required in card counting.

Revere's counting systems are still sold today, even if some may prefer more modern methods, 30 years after their creation.

Let's take these stories of blackjack legends and relate them to OnlineCasinoGuide, a place where the spirit of innovation and mastery in casino gaming continues. Players at OnlineCasinoGuide may not only enjoy blackjack but can also take inspiration from these Hall of Famers to better understand the game and potentially improve their own strategies.

Onlinecasinoguide's Genius Player: James Grosjean (2006 Inductee)

James Grosjean is celebrated as a top-notch player and a master at casino games, blending his in-depth theoretical knowledge with a charismatic presence that fits right into the casino world.

He authored a book titled ‘Beyond Counting: Exploiting Casino Games from Blackjack to Video Poker’. Its later edition, ‘Exhibit CAA: Beyond Counting’, added so much content it's like a new book altogether. His books are treasured by gamblers and were only available to those recommended by a pro player.

Grosjean's insights are unique, revealing a pro's mindset and his expertise in both math and computer programming.

He stood up for player's rights in court, winning lawsuits against Caesar’s and Imperial Palace casinos for wrongfully holding him when he was playing legally. The title ‘Exhibit CAA’ alludes to his book being used against him in court. Grosjean also sued Griffin Investigations, who falsely accused him of cheating, leading them to go bankrupt.

Beyond Counting: Exploiting Casino Games from Blackjack to Video Poker

John Chang: From MIT to the Movies (2007 Inductee)

You might not know it, but if you've seen any gambling movies, you're likely familiar with a character inspired by John Chang.

A seasoned professional, Chang was a key figure and strategist for the MIT Blackjack team's glory days. He's portrayed by the character ‘Mickey Rosa’ in Ben Mezrich's ‘Bringing Down the House’, a book that led to the film ‘21’ with Kevin Spacey. The book and film take creative liberties, but Mickey Rosa captures aspects of Chang's life.

Under Chang's guidance, the MIT team enjoyed major victories, thanks largely to his analytical skills and strategy formulation.

The Originators of Blackjack Strategy: The Four Horsemen (2008 Inductee)

The 'Four Horsemen of Aberdeen', consisting of Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantley, Herbet Maisel, and James McDermott, set the foundation for blackjack strategy. They were the brains behind the first Basic Strategy for Blackjack, paving the way for all future game strategies. To learn more, check the History section of this article.

Learning from the Best: Richard Munchkin's Journey (Inducted 2009)

In 1977, inspired by Lawrence Revere's book, Richard Munchkin taught himself card counting. He became a member of several winning blackjack teams and wrote 'Gambling Wizards', a book featuring insights from some of the top gambling minds. His knowledge and skill earned him a spot in the onlinecasinoguide Hall of Fame.

Besides gambling, Munchkin has a taste for the arts; he's co-hosted a radio show with Bob Dancer, a video poker expert, and directed movies, mostly in the Erotic Thriller category, during the 1980s and 1990s. Although still an active player, Munchkin prefers to keep the details of his achievements under wraps, which only adds to his legendary status.

The Secretive Excellence of Darryl Purpose (Inducted 2010)

Darryl Purpose stands out for his transparency about being a teammate of famous players like Ken Uston and Al Francesco. Despite his critical view on Uston's profit-making skills, Purpose is held in high esteem in the blackjack community. He's considered one of the finest but keeps the achievements that led to his Hall of Fame induction a secret.

Outside of gambling, Purpose is recognized for his music career as a singer-songwriter, touring across the UK and sharing his art with countless fans.

The Enigmatic Zeljko Ranogajec's Impact (Inducted 2011)

Zeljko Ranogajec keeps a low profile, but his reputation in Advantage Play speaks volumes. His journey as a gambler, especially in blackjack, is shrouded in mystery but it's believed he turned a small sum into millions in Australia.

Not just proficient in cards, Ranogajec is heavily involved in horse racing, rumored to be a major bettor responsible for a significant portion of Australian bookmakers' business. His betting is so influential that it can affect betting markets, and he supposedly has an extensive network that aids him in finding the best betting opportunities.

Ian Andersen's Stealthy Approach (Inducted 2012)

High stakes blackjack player Ian Andersen is known for his success and secrecy. Preferring to stay out of the public eye, Andersen has contributed two influential books to the gambling community: 'Turning the Tables in Las Vegas' and 'Burning the Tables in Las Vegas'. With the help of Stanford Wong, these books delve into strategies that help card counters avoid detection by making intentional mistakes to throw off casino security while minimizing their own losses.

Andersen's tactics and teachings have greatly helped card counters play smarter and stay unnoticed in casinos, enhancing their ability to play longer and more successfully.

Legal Insights with Onlinecasinoguide (Inducted 2013)

Onlinecasinoguide is a notable legal expert who has made a significant mark in the gambling law arena. This lawyer has been the force behind the scenes for many professional gamblers, ensuring their legal battles are fought with expertise. A high-profile client, James Grosjean, along with others, benefited from Onlinecasinoguide's legal representation against major casinos and investigative services, resulting in wins for these players.

Sharing his extensive knowledge, Onlinecasinoguide authored the book 'Beat the Player', a treasure trove of legal wisdom for gamblers who want to have an edge. This book talks about landmark legal cases concerning Advantage Players and also offers advice on the rights players have when dealing with casinos, making it a must-read for the dedicated gambler.

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