Blackjack math resources?

Lonesome Gambler

Lonesome Gambler

Well-Known Member
Hi there. I seem to have neglected the mathematics portion of my higher education, so I'm planning on playing catch-up and teaching myself about probability and statistics, among other things. What I was wondering is if there are any good resources (books, I suppose) to study math in the context of blackjack. For example, standard deviation: for the most part, I have a vague understanding of this concept, but I'd like to really understand math concepts like this that become more and more important as one trains to become an AP player. I'm no dummy, but if there are books written to a more layman-esque demographic, that would be preferred. I've always been pretty solid at math, but it tends to bore me to tears without a lot of bright pictures or oversimplified explanations... ;)

Thanks in advance!
 
moo321

moo321

Well-Known Member
Lonesome Gambler said:
Hi there. I seem to have neglected the mathematics portion of my higher education, so I'm planning on playing catch-up and teaching myself about probability and statistics, among other things. What I was wondering is if there are any good resources (books, I suppose) to study math in the context of blackjack. For example, standard deviation: for the most part, I have a vague understanding of this concept, but I'd like to really understand math concepts like this that become more and more important as one trains to become an AP player. I'm no dummy, but if there are books written to a more layman-esque demographic, that would be preferred. I've always been pretty solid at math, but it tends to bore me to tears without a lot of bright pictures or oversimplified explanations... ;)

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Hmm... wizardofodds.com might help you. Or the book Blackjack Attack.
 
Sonny

Sonny

Well-Known Member
The book The Mathematics of Games and Gambling by Ed Packel is a good introduction to probability and statistics. It has lots of simple explanations and examples that apply directly to gambling. There is also a nice article on standard deviation on Arnold Snyder's website:

http://www.blackjackforumonline.com/content/Blackjack_Basic_Strategy_Betting_And_Risk.htm

The book Blackjack Attack is also essential reading for things like risk of ruin and maximizing your EV. There are some good links in the Frequently Asked Questions thread too.

-Sonny-
 
Lonesome Gambler

Lonesome Gambler

Well-Known Member
Excellent. Exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

I'm currently reading "Struck by Lightning: the Curious World of Probabilities," by Jeffrey Rosenthal. In addition to being very well-written and interesting, it's also frequently hilarious and has a pretty reasonable section dedicated to gambling, with a bit on Blackjack.
 
S

SuperTrump

Active Member
Some other good choices:

"Probability Guide to Gambling: The Mathematics of Dice, Slots, Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Lottery and Sport Bets" by Catalin Barboianu

"Getting the Best of it!: Mathematics of Gambling, General Gambling Concepts, Sports and Horse Betting, Poker, Blackjack, Other Casino Games" by David Sklansky
 
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