Some of the Most Successful Blackjack Players
Blackjack is arguably one of the oldest gambling game still played today, with some historians tracing its lineage back to 2000 BC in Ancient China. In any case, Miguel de Cevantes’s mention of Vingt-et-un (21 in French) in his seminal 1600s novel ‘Don Quixote’ suggests blackjack was played hundreds of years ago.
The main objective of playing blackjack is getting a hand as close to 21 as possible without going over. Countless professionals have utilised advanced blackjack strategies to increase their chances. Keep reading for a summary of the most successful players.
Don Johnson
There aren’t many players who have tasted as much success on the blackjack table as Don Johnson. The Oregon native started his professional career as a racetrack manager before working as a state regulator in Texas, Idaho, Oregon and Idaho. He rose to fame in 2011, winning over $15 million from several Atlantic City casinos over six months.
Johnson didn’t do this by sheer luck. It took him several decades to master blackjack well enough to successfully place gargantuan bets. It’s natural to be tempted to jump head-first into blackjack after reading this, but it’s important to start off slowly and build up the courage to face more serious competition as expereince is gained. Just like Don Johnson, it’s important to start by learning and mastering the basics of how to play blackjack UK before actually immersing yourself in the game.
Kerry Packer
Kerry Packer was one of the wealthiest and most influential Australian media tycoons in history, amassing a several billion dollar fortune before passing in 2005. He was known as one of the ballsiest and high-rolling gamblers of all time, winning (and losing) quite a bit during his time on blackjack and baccarat tables.
Packer loved blackjack in particular. The Ritz in London had its own private blackjack room for the Australian, where the minimum bet was £10,000. Legend has it he lost more than £20 million in that room alone.
Ken Uston
Ken Uston was one of the most significant blackjack players and tacticians, pioneering concepts like team play. He earned several million dollars throughout his gambling career, often having to don costumes and outfits to hide his identity from casino bosses.
Uston won a landmark legal case against Atlantic City casinos, which barred him from playing in 1982. He was also a master of disguise, leading many people to call him the greatest blackjack player of all time.
James Grosjean
James Grosjean is a blackjack expert famed for his mathematical approach to the game. In books like Exhibit CAA: Beyond Counting, Grosjean outlines strategies to optimise the gameplay without resorting to shady tactics.
A regular on the Ultimate Blackjack Tour, few players can match the American’s blackjack prowess.
Bill Benter
Although he is better known for his horse betting success, Bill Benter is also a keen blackjack player. His horse racing analysis program resulted in almost $1 billion worth of successful bets.
Although he didn’t win quite as much playing blackjack, his skills are famous across Las Vegas casinos.
Conclusion
These blackjack experts poured their life and soul into the game, honing their tactics over several years of tireless dedication. But here’s the thing: blackjack is an enjoyable game regardless of your skill level as long as you play it for fun!
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