Best Blackjack Books for Beginners and Advanced Players

Blackjack is a game with plenty of strategy and learning when to make certain plays can help players lower the house edge as much as possible. That can get down to less than 1% and the use of correct basic strategy offers players one of the best chances at walking away a winner.

Some study can go a long way toward mastering basic blackjack strategy and taking a look at some of the best blackjack books may be worth the effort. That goes for players looking into card counting, which can actually flip the odds in the player’s favor.

Keep reading to learn about some of the best blackjack books for learning rules, strategies, and expert techniques. These books are suitable for players of all levels, from beginners to advanced.

Why Read a Blackjack Book?

A blackjack book can be seen as your blueprint for putting together the perfect strategy when hitting the tables. Players can learn the rules, strategy, bankroll management, card counting, and other key topics.

You will also learn from experts who have gone through the math of the game and have played in casinos extensively. Using a book to perfect your game can help increase your odds of winning and improve your skills. Take a look at a few of the books below to start expanding your blackjack knowledge base.

The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book by Lance Humble

The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book, by Lance Humble and Carl Cooper, is one of the most extensive guides to the game. Humble was a psychology professor at York University in Toronto and was teaching an “Aspects of Gambling” course in 1970 when he became infatuated with blackjack.

“I realized that a permanent mathematical advantage could be gained in the game of blackjack and not in any other casino game,” he said.

Humble began counting cards and finding results. The idea for a more exhaustive study on the game began taking shape. He began working on the book with his co-author and Humble used his own notes and studies in writing The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book. The book, which was originally released in 1980, features everything from picking the right casino and dealer to basic strategy and card counting.

The book focuses on fundamental strategies and simplified rules for players of all levels. This is the most comprehensive guide ever published on blackjack, the only casino game in which a knowledgeable player can gain an advantage over the house.

The publishing company notes: “No matter what your level of experience, it will teach you how to make the most money possible playing your cards.”

Best Blackjack Books for Beginners

There are numerous other great options for beginners trying to learn the game. Here’s a quick look at a few blackjack handbooks that may help players looking to up their games.

Beat the Dealer by Edward O. Thorp (1966) – Thorp’s work is considered one of the seminal books outlining how card counting works and was the first to prove that the odds could be tipped in the player’s favor. The mathematician and professor used computers throughout the 1950s to help prove his theory. He later tested his card counting plan at casinos in Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas and is now known as “the father of card counting.”

Blackjack for Blood by Bryce Carlson (2017) – This is a comprehensive guide for players who want to get better and learn some of the key skills that can help reap more winnings. The book will help beginners learn and master basic strategy, and also focuses on other topics as well like betting, money management, and more.

Advanced Blackjack Books for Experienced Players

Like any game or science, new theories and ideas come along that build on or reshape theories and strategies from earlier practitioners. That goes for blackjack as well. Here’s a look at a few more of the best books on blackjack for more advanced players. These cover complex strategies, card counting, and an in-depth analysis of blackjack mathematics. These advanced books can also help players integrate strategies like the 212 Blackjack Strategy.

Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong (1975) – The author created the “Blackjack Analyzer” computer program, which was one of the commercially available pieces of software that could analyze blackjack odds. The book builds on that research and offers players a complete guide to winning blackjack using a more simplified system. Wong served as a longtime card counter and financier for counting teams.

Blackjack Attack by Don Schlesinger (1997) – This mathematician has been in the game for five decades and the book offers players numerous tables and charts to better understand the math behind the game. Schlesinger also outlines other key topics like optimal betting, camouflage, risk analysis, team play, systems comparison, and much more. This is considered a classic in the genre.

Top Blackjack Handbooks and Rule Books

Some of the best books on blackjack also include some general handbooks to offer a quick reference on game rules, variations, table etiquette, and training items like basic strategy charts. For more insight, check out our step-by-step guide for dealers. Here are a few titles that can serve as essential blackjack handbooks.

The Blackjack Blueprint by Rick “Night Train” Blaine (2006) – This book covers every aspect of the game a player might be interested in. Some of the topics include casino comps, tournaments, location play, shuffle tracking, playing in disguise when card counting, outwitting “eye in the sky: security measures, and other advantage play techniques. Blaine has been beating the casinos for over 25 years and has played numerous roles on blackjack card-counting teams.

Blackjack: A Winner’s Handbook by Jerry L. Patterson (1977) – This longtime gambling writer and player helped build one of the first blackjack computer simulation models. He was also one of the first to begin detailing “shuffle tracking” strategy. This book serves as a guide to his own techniques to beat the dealers and win more money.

Conclusion

There have been some great blackjack books through the years that can help players learn basic strategy, card counting, bankroll management, and more. These books can go a long way toward helping serious players advance their skills and even count to turn the tables on the casinos.

Whether a beginner or more advanced player, these titles can help players develop a well-rounded understanding of the game and grow their skillset as well. Understanding blackjack odds alongside reading these books can enhance your skills further. Those looking to test out some basic strategy skills should head to Lucky Block Casino for some great games and plenty of fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best blackjack book for beginners?

That depends on the player, but there are some great blackjack books that will increase players’ understanding of the game along with basic strategy. Beat the Dealer and Blackjack for Blood might be great options.

Which blackjack books cover card counting?

There have been numerous books on this topic through the years, but some of the classics include Beat the Dealer, Beat the Dealer, and Blackjack Attack.

Are there any blackjack books specifically for rule variations?

Yes, there are numerous blackjack handbooks to help players learn the various rules of the game along with basic strategy.

What makes “The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book” so popular?

This is a very comprehensive guide on all things blackjack and also includes the author’s own experiences and studies to learn how to card count and beat the house.