Here are my top picks for Blackjack books, selected from several dozen books that were evaluated. Whether you are just learning how to play Blackjack or planning to quit your job to take on the game full time, I have a book for you in this list. The next time you are browsing through those blackjack books at the bookstore, here’s what you need to look for:

  1. Blackjack Bluebook II – the simplest winning strategies ever published (2006 edition)
    This book is down to earth, good for beginning blackjack players. This book explores the strategy of the game with a strategy chart in different colors. The author does a good job with the illustrations for the hand play revisions and covers the different variations of the game quite well. It seeks out to debunk the blackjack myths quite effectively.

    The basic counting system is explained in detail in this book along with computer simulation results. This book also points out the various plays and maneuvers including several out-of-the-box techniques that I have not seen in too many other beginner books or guides. It has over 40 useful charts and 60 illustrated hand scenarios.

  2. Blackjack Blueprint: How to Play like a Pro… Part-Time (Paperback)
    I give this book five stars for an interesting read about card counting. It offers a brief introduction to basic strategy and card counting based on Stanford Wong’s Hi-Lo system and illustrates how to tailor the play and the bet amount to the count. Card counting strategies account for nearly half the book and the reminder may not be all that engrossing to the reader. Although this book is titled part time, there are portions on this book that would make more sense to a professional than an amateur. And there is a section in this book called zone tracking and believe it or not, this part relates to team play. Another section talks about strategies for equalizing the negative swings one encounters during a play which I thought was the weakest link in the book. A good pick for your Atlantic City trip, just make sure you pick up the book well in advance of your trip!
  3. Blackjack For Blood: The Card-Counters’ Bible, and Complete Winning Guide (Paperback)
    Humor can often make it worthwhile to read a book and this is one such rare blackjack book that actually has a strong element of humor. It includes several relevant anecdotes, making the book a further interesting read. The author also provides information on some of the ‘below the belt’ but not illegal tricks that a player can use to make money from the house. This book basically deals with the card counting system and gets quite involved in math and strategy. I would not recommend this book for beginners.
  4. Professional Blackjack (Paperback)
    This is a book that is definitely not for the beginners, but the best one out there for the more semi pros or the pros. The most in-depth coverage of card-counting strategies and results that can be expected. It makes you realize that making money at Blackjack is not easy, yet showing you how to do it all the same. This book may be a bit old but is still quite effective and relevant. Before you quit your job to start gambling, read this book to know where you stand.
  5. Blackbelt in Blackjack: Playing 21 as a Martial Art
    This book was authored by one of the grand masters of Blackjack and a legend by himself, Arnold Snyder. This book is aimed more at the professional niche.. Snyder reveals various tricks that he himself had used including shuffle tracking, team play, multiple decks and camouflage techniques. This book has also devoted large sections of it to card counting and various card counting systems. With this book one can pick up on systems ranging from the deadly red 7 count, the hi-lo count, the zen count, the true count, and so much more.

So there you go, depending on where you stand in your Blackjack skills, pick one of these and you are sure to have a little more fun during your next trip to Atlantic City.
Happy gaming!

By David Kaleky
David Kaleky owns and operates the leading site about Atlantic City Hotels and Atlantic City Shows . Check out his blog at Atlantic City Blog .