Beat the Dealer (Buy on Amazon) is a book hailed as a classic by blackjack players around the world. It was authored by mathematics professor and blackjack player Edward O. Thorp in 1962. Based on his work and success, Thorp was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame in 2002.

Beat the Dealer was the book that started it all. The book proved mathematically that blackjack could be beaten through the process of card counting. Once knowledge of these methods spread, some casinos were forced to change their gaming rules. Though the method in the book is a bit outdated, people still try to count cards today.

Being that the book was written in the ’60s, land-based casinos were obviously where Thorp’s blackjack theories were tested. Players, however, should not disregard the strategies offered in the book because basic strategy is also valuable when one is playing online blackjack in an internet casino.

To this day, Beat the Dealer is recommended to all those who wish to study blackjack. It provides a detailed description of the rules and some basic strategy points. For more on blackjack rules and blackjack strategy, check those subjects out our site. If you would like to make an attempt at some virtual card counting or just test out the rules and strategies without the risk of losing money, you should check out the opportunities for free online blackjack games. You can also play any one of our reviewed online casinos for free.