- We ranked the top 10 best blackjack strategy books of all time in this article.
- Prominent blackjack authors Ian Andersen and Arnold Snyder each have two books in the top 10 and at least one in the top five.
- Our number one best blackjack strategy book of all time is commonly referred to as the bible of blackjack and was published in 1976.
LAS VEGAS – Blackjack strategy books offer in-depth explanations for systems, mathematical breakdowns, and more instruction on how to play the best blackjack possible. Although we have some of the best blackjack strategies available for free online, there are plenty of books out there that go into further detail on different blackjack strategies.
10. Rick Blaine’s Blackjack Blueprint (2005)
This blackjack strategy novel is a very well-rounded book that covers all different angles of playing blackjack. Whether you want to learn more on strategy, counting cards, playing as a team, or even tracking the shuffling, Blaine has it here. Published in 2005, Blackjack Blueprint is one of two books in our top 10 from the 21st century, proving how accomplished and timeless the blackjack strategy books are in our top 10 ranking.
9. Edward Thorp’s Beat the Dealer (1962)
Coming in at No. 9 is Beat the Dealer by Edward Thorp. This legendary blackjack book is ranked lower on our list solely because the game has changed so much since this book came out over 60 years ago. Still, it was monumental and established the first winning strategy thanks to computer simulation. It’s less beneficial than other books on our list, but it’s a must-read for every historical connoisseur and blackjack admirer.
8. Ken Uston’s The Big Player (1977)
Ken Uston is a blackjack legend, making waves as one of the most controversial players in the 1970s and 80s. Uston is infamous for popularizing the team play strategy alongside Al Francesco. The ability to count cards and beat the dealer in a team format inspired this book, especially the title. Whenever the team made small bets at a table and the count reached a high point, they would signal the designated “Big Player” to make a massive bet. All of his team play blackjack secrets are here in this book. Uston’s strategies got the team banned from all Las Vegas casinos and he eventually wrote more books, but this is his best work.
7. Bryce Carlson’s Blackjack for Blood (1992)
Blackjack for Blood delivers a comprehensive strategy for beating the dealer, mainly focusing on how to bet and play hands, how to deal effectively with casino workers, and how to control pressure and stress. The latter is an under-explored portion of blackjack strategy novels and could’ve made Bryce Carlson’s novel land higher on our list. Carlson, who is just a pen name and his identity is unknown to the general public, can be trusted as a professional with his counts and advice in this novel.
6. Arnold Snyder’s Blackbelt in Blackjack (1983)
This won’t be the last time you see Arnold Snyder’s name on our top 10 list. Blackbelt in Blackjack is a great strategy novel for beginners looking to learn card counting in blackjack and basic strategy. 41 years later and Arnold Snyder is still regarded as one of the best blackjack strategy writers out there. His imaginative writing makes his strategies more entertaining to read than other authors. However, his blackjack strategy masterpiece didn’t come until 23 years later.
5. Stanford Wong’s Professional Blackjack (1975)
The key takeaway from Professional Blackjack is the counts. Wong introduced the Hi-lo count in this novel, which is the most recommended count of all time. This is one of those classic blackjack novels that history buffs must read. Wong’s instruction feels timeless, but his personal stories and experience help the reader understand better. Overall, this novel is on most peoples Mount Rushmore for live dealer blackjack strategy, but Wong’s excellent novel falls just outside our top five.
4. Ian Andersen’s Turning the Tables on Las Vegas (1976)
Ian Andersen’s Turning the Tables on Las Vegas is one of the best-selling blackjack books ever written. Andersen dives heavily into card counting and how to camouflage yourself in order not to get caught. He also implements the unique angle of psychological manipulation of blackjack dealers and other casino personnel who might get suspicious. It’s the most forward novel for getting around blackjack dealer rules and how to avoid getting caught for counting cards, but also does an excellent job of breaking down his own card counting strategy.
3. Ian Andersen’s Burning the Tables in Las Vegas (1999)
Andersen goes back-to-back in our list, with the madly successful Burning the Tables in Las Vegas coming 23 years after the first novel. This sequel adapts thoughts from his first novel to the blackjack scene 20 years later. He even gets Stanford Wong to co-write a chapter with him, which goes into bank roll management, bet sizes, and strategy deviations.
This novel carries the same emphasis on card counting and avoiding getting caught, but adds unique notes like how to change your name and specific Chinese medicine to improve focus on the felt. Adding his experiences from gambling around the world for 20 years completes Andersen’s best novel.
2. Arnold Snyder’s Big Book of Blackjack (2006)
Arnold Snyder comes back into the top 10 with the No. 2 best blackjack strategy book of all time in Big Book of Blackjack. Published in 2006, Snyder’s masterpiece is arguably the most comprehensive blackjack strategy book of all time.
He begins with six chapters worth of blackjack background, introducing the games origins and different blackjack variations throughout time. Then he gets into basic strategy, card counting, side bets, and different blackjack games. A third section covers cheating, how to not get caught, surveillance, team play, and more. The final section includes a Q&A section and even a blackjack poetry section. It’s an absolute must read for any blackjack fan and could easily be No. 1 on our list.
1. Peter Griffin’s The Theory of Blackjack (1976)
The best blackjack strategy book of all time is The Theory of Blackjack by Peter Griffin. No, not that Peter Griffin. The man who wrote this blackjack masterpiece was a mathematician who viewed the game as a hobby but also a challenge. He was determined to beat the game and includes accurate strategies for varying numbers of decks and rules, making it the most complete blackjack novel of all time.
Players still regard this novel as the bible, since its contents are so glorious and valuable. His strategies and card-counting strategies influenced many to capitalize on high roller blackjack around the world. Griffin’s calculations and strategies are timeless and still used today despite his novel being published 58 years ago. It’s a shame Griffin passed away when he was only 61 years old due to pancreatic cancer.