“Beat the Dealer” is a book written by Edward O. Thorp, a mathematician and blackjack player who is considered the father of modern card counting. The book was first published in 1962 and has since become a classic in the world of blackjack.
In “Beat the Dealer,” Thorp presents a system for counting cards in blackjack and explains how to use this system to gain an advantage over the casino. Thorp’s system involves assigning a value to each card in the deck and keeping a running count as the cards are played. By keeping track of the count, the player can determine when the deck is favorable to the player and increase their bets, and when the deck is favorable to the dealer and decrease their bets.
Thorp’s book also includes a detailed analysis of the basic strategy for blackjack, which is a set of rules that dictate the optimal play for each hand based on the player’s total and the dealer’s up card. Thorp’s analysis shows that following the basic strategy can significantly reduce the house edge and increase the player’s chances of winning.
Overall, “Beat the Dealer” is a comprehensive and informative guide to playing blackjack and is considered a must-read for any serious blackjack player.