The Gambling Times Guide to Blackjack, September 19, 2000
Reviewer: John S. Gerhart from Prescott, AZ
The author Stanley Roberts calls himself the Blackjack Guru of the 80's. gu·ru (
A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters. A trusted counselor
and adviser; a mentor. A recognized leader in a field: the guru of high finance.
An acknowledged and influential advocate, as of a movement or idea: This
description is totally accurate. A contemporary and a contributor to the
founding fathers of Blackjack. Stanley Roberts writes to the beginning Blackjack
Player and shows them how to advance through the levels of play needed to become
an expert Player. Stanley does this with a minimum of "hype" for any particular
system which is so evident in many other Blackjack books. Stanley starts with
the development of Blackjack theory and methodology for beating the game. He
expalains about the affect of casino rules on the house advantage over the
player using noted author Lance Humble as his expert. Stanley explains the use
of Basic Strategy as well as any other author. He even goes on with the help of
Julian Braun to give the extremely rare and vital information on Double Exposure
and Home Game basic strategy. Arnold "the Bishop" Snyder contributes a chapter
on the casino conditions and other topics. Jerry Patterson contributes a chapter
on a topic that became the next area of attack against the casino, the order of
the cards and how it is affected by the shuffle procedure. After all the
mathematics of the strategy and count systems had been developed then teams came
into play. Ken Uston writes two of the most interesting chapters on team play
and getting Barred. All areas of play are discussed including cheating, bankroll
management and a plan for progressing up the ranks to an advanced player. This
is a terrific for a beginner. There is no advanced strategy for Sale. But, it is
written by a true visionary in the gaming world at a time when Blackjack was a
Main course on the casino platter.
