The Life and Times of Arnord Snyder

[JJNJustin]

Um, who is this guy anyways? There are like two huge threads bearing his name and I dont know who he is.
Is he a reknowned theorist? If so, I would like to get some copies of his material so I can get familiar with them. Is he part of 2+2? Please help correct my ignorance on this matter.

-J

[Reynard]

Arnold is to blackjack what David is to poker. He's now written a pretty good book about low buy-in poker tournaments.

Google "Arnold Snyder" and you can find his website.

[alphatmw]

snyder irked sklansky and now its sklanskys sole goal to destroy snyder.

[galmost]

[ QUOTE ]
Arnold is to blackjack what David is to poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that title goes to O. Thorp. Arnold is more like the Mason Malmuth of blackjack.

[Red_Diamond]

Your both wrong.. Title should really go to Ken Uston. Casinos never cared to ban Thorp...

[BigBuffet]

[ QUOTE ]
snyder irked sklansky and now its sklanskys sole goal to destroy snyder.

[/ QUOTE ]

Snyder also listed many 2+2 books in his bibleography. They are arguing about something (big chip stack going up or down in intrinsic value--since a big stack is needed to win either way) that only an anal math nit would care about.

[AaronBrown]

Without getting involved in the more controversial aspects of this, Ed Thorp developed the first systematic theory of blackjack card counting and applied it successfully. He was a mathematics professor at the time. His goal was never to make a living playing blackjack, he wanted to prove his theory and make a little money. He soon decided the stock market offered far bigger profit opportunities for a shrewd mathematician, and went on to generate one of the most impressive 40-year (and counting) track records in finance.

Ken Uston went the opposite direction, getting a Yale undergraduate degree, Harvard MBA and trading securities; until he decided to try blackjack. He was flamboyant and aggressive, and noted for over-the-top disguises. He is beloved by blackjack players for winning a lawsuit in New Jersey establishing that casinos cannot bar people for playing skillfully. He died 20 years ago at age 54. Many people have questioned his actual financial success in playing blackjack. His books are fun to read, but have more to do with casino tricks than blackjack itself.

Although you could argue for a few other people, Arnold Snyder would get the most votes for practical blackjack advice and influence on serious blackjack players. Thorp was most interested in mathematical theory, Uston on the game, Snyder is famous for making counting easier without losing accuracy. He also is one of the leading authors on the subject and has done quite a bit of expert legal testimony and advocacy to protect the rights of advantage gamblers. He doesn't limit himself to counting, he has written on shuffle-tracking and other topics. No one has seriously questioned his personal profit from blackjack.

There are other important blackjack theorists and famous players (not always the same people).

[rakemeplz]

UMMM LOL_GOOGALMENTS

[dogmeat]

Aaron - you always have quite a bit to add, and I often agree with your posts. I would argue with your comments on Ken Uston:

Ken Uston went the opposite direction, getting a Yale undergraduate degree, Harvard MBA and trading securities; until he decided to try blackjack. He was flamboyant and aggressive, and noted for over-the-top disguises. He is beloved by blackjack players for winning a lawsuit in New Jersey establishing that casinos cannot bar people for playing skillfully. He died 20 years ago at age 54. Many people have questioned his actual financial success in playing blackjack. His books are fun to read, but have more to do with casino tricks than blackjack itself. (quote)

His financial success in BJ was substantial, especially for the times. In an era where "lucky" players might win $25K, the "groups" put together often doubled-up starting bankrolls of over $100,000.

While the bankroll might have been split between a dozen counters/big players/backers, Ken always did well and put away enough to buy a bit of real estate that he hoped would sustain him in later life.

Unfortunately, he had some flaws that Stu Ungar had, and while he was a genius at getting himself and his team time to play, he spent too much time at the bar and with recreational drugs.

I would also add that at least in the case of his book,"Million Dollar Blackjack," his contibution to understanding BJ and counting was significant, and the book includes everything a player needed to learn an upper-level count that was quite powerful, as well as variations in play and betting to get the most out of the systems.

To this day, most casino executives and surveillance personel don't understand when players vary their play according to the count - often seeing those play changes as mistakes instead of what they are.

Dogmeat [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

[smbruin22]

are the rumors true that arnold and his book are getting their own forum here on 2p2??.............just having some fun.