Who Wrote Blackjack Basic Strategy?

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world, and it’s a game that has been around for centuries. Over time, players have developed various strategies to increase their chances of winning. However, one particular strategy is considered to be the most effective – Blackjack Basic Strategy.

But who wrote this strategy? Who came up with the idea of using specific mathematical calculations to determine the best move in every situation? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of Blackjack Basic Strategy and try to answer these questions.

To start with, let’s briefly explain what Blackjack Basic Strategy is. It’s a set of rules that players can follow to optimize their decisions based on their hand and the dealer’s up-card. This strategy involves memorizing a chart that shows all possible combinations of hands and dealer cards, along with the recommended action for each scenario.

Now, back to our main question – who invented this strategy? The answer isn’t straightforward because there were several individuals who contributed to its development over time. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:

1. Roger Baldwin
In 1953, Roger Baldwin published an article titled “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack” in the Journal of the American Statistical Association.

This article presented an early version of what we now know as Blackjack Basic Strategy. Baldwin used statistical analysis and simulations to determine the optimal play for each hand against every possible dealer up-card.

2. Wilbert Cantey
Cantey was one of Baldwin’s colleagues at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Together with three other army officers – Herbert Maisel, James McDermott, and Howard Vaughn – they spent their spare time analyzing blackjack strategies using primitive computers available at that time (the 1950s). Their findings were compiled into a manuscript titled “Playing Blackjack to Win” which was later published as a book called “Beat the Dealer” by Edward O. Thorp.

3. Edward O. Thorp
Thorp was a mathematics professor at MIT who read Cantey’s manuscript and became fascinated by the idea of beating blackjack using math.

Thorp refined the strategy proposed by Baldwin and his colleagues, adding more complex calculations such as card counting to the mix. In 1962, he published “Beat the Dealer” which became a bestseller and revolutionized the game of blackjack.

So, while Baldwin can be credited with laying the foundation for Blackjack Basic Strategy, Cantey and Thorp played a significant role in refining it into its current form. Over time, other players have contributed to this strategy as well by tweaking certain rules or adding their own variations.

In conclusion, Blackjack Basic Strategy is not the brainchild of one person but rather a collective effort by several individuals over time. It’s a testament to how games can evolve through human ingenuity and innovation. By following this strategy, players can increase their chances of winning at blackjack and enjoy this classic game even more.