Chances Are. . .: Your Winning Blackjack Strategy

Rating:
Summary: Interesting ideas but no proof
Review: After a thought provoking discussion of accepted basic blackjack strategy, the author presents his "Percentage Play" strategy (based on the frequency of cards in a 6-deck shoe), but doesn't back it up with any computer simulations or even stories about its use in actual play. Does the author use this system? Does he win when using it? You can't tell from reading this book. I acknowledge some of the weaknesses in the basic strategy that the author points out, but at least it is backed up by scientific and anecdotal studies. This book fails to present a viable alternative.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting ideas but no proof
Review: After a thought provoking discussion of accepted basic blackjack strategy, the author presents his "Percentage Play" strategy (based on the frequency of cards in a 6-deck shoe), but doesn't back it up with any computer simulations or even stories about its use in actual play. Does the author use this system? Does he win when using it? You can't tell from reading this book. I acknowledge some of the weaknesses in the basic strategy that the author points out, but at least it is backed up by scientific and anecdotal studies. This book fails to present a viable alternative.

Rating:
Summary: Learning Lots in Texas
Review: I have never been much of a gambler... primarily because I didn't know enough about the science of the games to not be throwing my money away when I played. This book has made that a thing of the past ! I found it very easy to read and comprehend, and the strategies and insights can be used immediatley. This program works, and I am excited about the possibility of more work from Mr. Summers. This book is well worth your time and money !

Rating:
Summary: Strange and thought provoking . . .
Review: The author does not believe in counting.

His system is his own spin-off from Basic Strategy called 'Percentage Play '

It's not THAT far off from Basic to qualify it as whacko--it's well.. 'contrarian'---for lack of a better word. One gets the feeling that if every expert predicts a Stock Market crash, Summers would buy . . .

Example from Chapter 20 "Splitting 10's":

"Do you really want to know why I'm leaning in the direction of splitting 10's?
Because in a lot of casinos today they offer classes. On every occasion the instructor says NEVER DO IT...If the casinos say never split 10's that's exactly what I want to do."

Ok, so Summers has unmasked the International Casino Conspiracy or his math is way off.

The greatest departure from convention comes in his advice about playing against aces showing; Stand if you hold a 13.

Why?

Because the dealer has a 39% chance of breaking, 31% of having Blackjack , 23% of being pat and 46% that he's drawing and IF the player can escape the 31% chance of the dealer having BJ,
(How? Prayer?) then it is 2 to 1 that the dealer has to draw to his hand!

Somehow this is better, according to Summers, than having the player risk the 39% chance that he will be the one to bust if he takes a card.

Same advice if you hold a 12 against an ace.

Since comp sims, statistical tables or any other objective proof is not offered, there's only one way to find out.

Buy the book, take out a couple of millions and bust the bank.

Who knows? The old coot may be right . . .