John Ferguson, who is better known by his pen name Stanford Wong, has become legendary throughout the blackjack world for writing some game-changing blackjack books. In addition to this, he’s also created computer programs and techniques that have furthered blackjack strategy to a great degree. This being said, Stanford Wong is definitely a man worth looking at a little closer. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Stanford Wong”
Category: Blackjack Legends
Blackjack Legends: Bill Kaplan and J.P. Massar
Bill Kaplan and J.P. Massar formed the basis for what would become the most famous card counting team in history – the MIT Blackjack Team. Interestingly enough, the two Americans met at a Chinese restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts of all places. Massar overheard Kaplan talking about blackjack card counting in the restaurant, and walked over to introduce himself, which is where our story begins. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Bill Kaplan and J.P. Massar”
Blackjack Legends: Erica Schoenberg
The typical blackjack stereotype is an overweight, middle-aged man with poor fashion tastes and a receding hairline. Erica Shoenberg certainly does not meet this stereotypical view of a blackjack player. In fact, the Akron, Ohio native earned the nickname the “Blackjack Babe” for her good looks and modeling career. But is Schoenberg really a blackjack legend, or just some model who happens to play a little blackjack on the side? Let’s take a look… Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Erica Schoenberg”
Blackjack Legends: Ken Uston and Al Francesco
Two blackjack legends whose legacies are tied together are Ken Uston and Al Francesco. The main reason why Uston and Francesco are linked is because they played on the same blackjack team together. Now most people would consider Uston the more famous out of these two because he went on to write several major blackjack books, and appeared on TV shows too. But it’s still worth discussing both of these blackjack legends in-depth because many within the blackjack community actually consider Francesco more of a prominent figure. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Ken Uston and Al Francesco”
Blackjack Legends: Edward Thorp
Out of all the figures throughout blackjack history, nobody is more famous than Edward O. Thorp. In fact, Thorp is credited with inventing the modern card counting system that blackjack pros have used to make huge profits. Seeing as how Thorp is such an important figure in the game of blackjack, let’s take an in-depth look at his accomplishments. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Edward Thorp”
Blackjack Legends: Kerry Packer
While most famous blackjack players accumulate their wealth on the tables and through books, Kerry Packer is an exception to the norm. Packer built a media empire over his lifetime, and became the richest man in Australia ($A6.5 billion) before his death in 2005. Beyond his extravagant wealth and media empire, the Aussie was known for his high stakes gambling ventures into blackjack, poker, baccarat and other games. Of course, what we’re most interested in here is the blackjack, and how Packer became a legend for his play. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Kerry Packer”
Blackjack Legends: Arnold Snyder
Some blackjack players become legends for their unparalleled profits at the table, and quirky stories away from the felt. Others become blackjack legends because of their theories and contributions to the game. Arnold Snyder is of the latter variety because, while he’s definitely been a successful player, he has found even more success as an author. Since Snyder is such an interesting fellow, let’s dive a little deeper into his life and blackjack contributions. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Arnold Snyder”
Blackjack Legends: Russ Hamilton
Russ Hamilton is definitely one of the more interesting figures in blackjack history because he’s both a successful blackjack and poker player. In fact, it was the latter that got Hamilton started playing cards in the first place, and a college professor once told the Detroit native that he’d profit more from poker than school. So Hamilton started playing in underground poker games around the Detroit area, and was very good at it. This prompted him to move to Las Vegas, where a new game caught his attention. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Russ Hamilton”
Blackjack Legends: Don Johnson
While most blackjack legends become famous for card counting, Don Johnson has etched his name into blackjack history by using conventional strategy to win millions of dollars. By his own admissions, Johnson doesn’t count cards, and claims that many players could beat the house if they had the bankroll to do so. Seeing as how Johnson’s theory on blackjack is so interesting, he’s definitely worth looking at closer. Continue reading “Blackjack Legends: Don Johnson”