Risk and Reward: The Science of Casino Blackjack
Autor N. Richard Werthameren Limba Engleză Paperback – 13 dec 2018
RISK AND REWARD analyzes the game in depth, pinpointing not just its optimal strategies but also its financial performance, in terms of both expected cash flow and associated risk.
The book begins by describing the strategies and their performance in a clear, straightforward style. The presentation is self-contained, non-mathematical, and accessible to readers at all levels of playing skill, from the novice to the blackjack expert. Careful attention is also given to simplified, but still nearly optimal strategies that are easier to use in a casino. Unlike other books in the literature the author then derives each aspect of the strategy mathematically, to justify its claim to optimality. The derivations mostly use algebra and calculus, although some require more advanced analysis detailed in supporting appendices. For easy comprehension, formulae are translated into tables and graphs through extensive computation.
This book will appeal to everyone interested in blackjack: those with mathematical training intrigued by its application to this popular game as well as all players seeking to improve their performance.
| Toate formatele și edițiile | Preț | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback (2) | 185.71 lei 38-44 zile | |
| Springer International Publishing – 13 dec 2018 | 185.71 lei 38-44 zile | |
| Springer – 6 oct 2014 | 479.47 lei 6-8 săpt. | |
| Hardback (1) | 187.15 lei 3-5 săpt. | |
| Springer International Publishing – 31 iul 2018 | 187.15 lei 3-5 săpt. |
Preț: 185.71 lei
Nou
Puncte Express: 279
Preț estimativ în valută:
35.54€ • 38.72$ • 29.94£
35.54€ • 38.72$ • 29.94£
Carte tipărită la comandă
Livrare economică 19-25 aprilie
Preluare comenzi: 021 569.72.76
Specificații
ISBN-13: 9783030082406
ISBN-10: 3030082407
Pagini: 150
Ilustrații: XX, 150 p. 23 illus. in color.
Dimensiuni: 155 x 235 mm
Greutate: 0 kg
Ediția:Softcover reprint of the original 2nd ed. 2018
Editura: Springer International Publishing
Colecția Springer
Locul publicării:Cham, Switzerland
ISBN-10: 3030082407
Pagini: 150
Ilustrații: XX, 150 p. 23 illus. in color.
Dimensiuni: 155 x 235 mm
Greutate: 0 kg
Ediția:Softcover reprint of the original 2nd ed. 2018
Editura: Springer International Publishing
Colecția Springer
Locul publicării:Cham, Switzerland
V-ar putea interesa
-
Playing for Real: A Text on Game TheoryKen Binmore-14%Preț: 727.83 lei846.31 lei -
Strategic Interaction and MarketsJean J. Gabszewicz-34%Preț: 495.33 lei751.36 lei -
Challenges in Geometry: for Mathematical Olympians Past and PresentChristopher J. Bradley-20%Preț: 275.69 lei343.71 lei -
Evolution, Games, and Economic BehaviourFernando Vega-Redondo-28%Preț: 373.93 lei517.51 lei -
-19%Preț: 476.41 lei584.80 lei -
Game Theory: A Very Short IntroductionKen Binmore-17%Preț: 52.08 lei62.81 lei -
Foundations of Non-Cooperative Game TheoryKlaus Ritzberger-28%Preț: 450.21 lei621.34 lei -
Preț: 256.91 lei -
The Colossal Book of Short Puzzles and ProblemsMartin GardnerPreț: 221.95 lei -
Mathematics and the ImaginationEdward Kasner-15%Preț: 81.47 lei96.16 lei -
The Essential John NashJohn NashPreț: 280.93 lei -
-14%Preț: 393.36 lei457.40 lei -
On Numbers and GamesJohn H. Conway-9%Preț: 1244.19 lei1367.24 lei -
Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays, Volume 2Elwyn R. Berlekamp-8%Preț: 417.31 lei453.60 lei -
Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays, Volume 3Elwyn R. Berlekamp-8%Preț: 502.87 lei546.59 lei -
Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays, Volume 4Elwyn R. Berlekamp-8%Preț: 430.79 lei468.26 lei -
-22%Preț: 950.75 lei1218.40 lei -
Introducing Game Theory: A Graphic GuideIvan PastinePreț: 56.45 lei -
Set-valued Optimization: An Introduction with ApplicationsAkhtar A. Khan-15%Preț: 1092.03 lei1284.75 lei
Descriere
For decades, casino gaming has been steadily increasing in popularity worldwide. Blackjack is among the most popular of the casino table games, one where astute choices of playing strategy can create an advantage for the player. Risk and Reward analyzes the game in depth, pinpointing not just its optimal strategies but also its financial performance, in terms of both expected cash flow and associated risk.
The book begins by describing the strategies and their performance in a clear, straightforward style. The presentation is self-contained, nonmathematical, and accessible to readers at all levels of playing skill, from the novice to the blackjack expert. Careful attention is also given to simplified, but still nearly optimal strategies that are easier to use in a casino. Unlike other books in the literature the author then derives each aspect of the strategy mathematically, to justify its claim to optimality. The derivations mostly use algebra and calculus, although some require more advanced analysis detailed in supporting appendices. For easy comprehension, formulae are translated into tables and graphs through extensive computation.
This book will appeal to everyone interested in blackjack: those with mathematical training intrigued by its application to this popular game as well as all players seeking to improve their performance.
N. Richard Werthamer is retired from a successful career as a scientist and executive, most recently as the Executive Officer of the American Physical Society. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College before receiving his PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of California at Berkeley. His original research has been published extensively in the world’s leading journals. In this book, he applies his scientific background to the analysis of blackjack.
The book begins by describing the strategies and their performance in a clear, straightforward style. The presentation is self-contained, nonmathematical, and accessible to readers at all levels of playing skill, from the novice to the blackjack expert. Careful attention is also given to simplified, but still nearly optimal strategies that are easier to use in a casino. Unlike other books in the literature the author then derives each aspect of the strategy mathematically, to justify its claim to optimality. The derivations mostly use algebra and calculus, although some require more advanced analysis detailed in supporting appendices. For easy comprehension, formulae are translated into tables and graphs through extensive computation.
This book will appeal to everyone interested in blackjack: those with mathematical training intrigued by its application to this popular game as well as all players seeking to improve their performance.
N. Richard Werthamer is retired from a successful career as a scientist and executive, most recently as the Executive Officer of the American Physical Society. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College before receiving his PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of California at Berkeley. His original research has been published extensively in the world’s leading journals. In this book, he applies his scientific background to the analysis of blackjack.
Cuprins
Contents Preface Introduction
Working with the Interactive Edition
Part I
1 The Game
1.1 History of Casino Blackjack and Its Analysis
1.2 Rules, Procedures and Terminology
2 Playing the Hand
2.1 Basic Strategy
2.1.1 Expected Return with Variant Rules and Procedures
2.1.2 Expected Return vs. Return on Investment
2.2 Composition-Dependent Play
3 Tracking the Cards
3.1 Linear Counts
3.2 Choosing a Counting Vector 3.3 Unbalanced Counting Vectors
3.4 Relating the True Count to the Expected Return
4 Betting
4.1 Yield, Risk, and Optimal Bet Strategies
4.11 Bet size in relation to true count
4.12 Other criteria
4.2 Betting Proportional to Current Capital 4.3 Multiple Hands
4.4 Back-Counting and Table-Hopping
5 Playing the Hand When the Count and Bet Vary
5.1 Play Strategies that Vary with the Count
5.1.1 Reconsidering the Counting Vector
5.1.2 Count Dependence of the Play Parameters
5.1.3 The Insurance Bet
5.2 Counter Basic Strategy for the Variable Bettor
6 Synthesis and Observations
6.1 A Practical, Nearly Optimal Strategy
6.2 Blackjack as a Recreation vs. a Profession
Part II 7 Play Strategies
7.1 Basic Strategy, Large Number of Decks
7.1.1 Analytical Framework
7.1.2 Expected Player Return
7.1.3 Frequency of Tied Hands 7.1.4 Multiple Simultaneous Hands: Return, Variance, and Covariance
7.1.5 Expected Number of Cards Used per Round
7.2 Basic Strategy, Small Number of Decks
7.2.1 Analytical Framework
7.2.2 Expected Return, and Optimal Basic Strategy, vs. Number of Decks
7.2.3 Surrender; Insurance
7.3 Play Parameters Dependent on Identities of Initial Cards
7.3.1 Comparison with Previous Authorities
8 Card Counting
8.1 Analytical Framework
8.1.1 Asymptotic Distribution
8.1.2 Expected Return; Invariance Theorem
8.1.3 Hermite Series 8.2 Expected Return at Nonzero Depth
8.3 Optimizing the Counting Vectors
8.4 Optimizing the Counting Vectors: Many-Cards Limit
8.5 Computation of the Derivatives of the Expected Return
8.6 Unbalanced Counts
Appendix 8.A Asymptotic Distribution of Card Likelihoods Appendix 8.B Eigenmodes
9 Bet Strategies
9.1 Risk and Capitalization
9.1.1 Risk in a Game with Fixed Return
9.1.2 Optimal Betting When Return Fluctuates: Expected Capital and Risk
9.1.3 Connections with Finance
9.1.4 Distribution of Capital
9.1.5 Properties of the Risk and Expected Capital Expressions
9.1.6 Optimal Betting When Return Fluctuates: Bet Strategy
9.1.7 Yield When the Bet Size Is Discrete; Wong Benchmark Betting
9.2 Betting Proportional to Current Capital
9.2.1 Mixed Additive and Multiplicative Betting
9.3 Betting When Playing Multiple Simultaneous Hands
9.4 Back-Counting and Table-Hopping
9.4.1 Entry
9.4.2 Entry and Exit
9.4.3 Entry and Departure
9.4.4 Entry, Exit, and Departure
Appendix 9.A Distribution of Player’s Capital, Asymptotically for Large N
Appendix 9.B The Chain Rule Convolution 10 Play Strategies with Card Counting
10.1 Count-Dependent Playing Strategy
10.1.1 Counting Vector Optimal for Play Variation Alone
10.1.2 Single Counting Vector Optimal for Bet and Play Together
10.1.3 Two Distinct Counting Vectors
10.1.4 Insurance with Variable Betting 10.2 Counter Basic Strategy References
Index of Terms
Working with the Interactive Edition
Part I
1 The Game
1.1 History of Casino Blackjack and Its Analysis
1.2 Rules, Procedures and Terminology
2 Playing the Hand
2.1 Basic Strategy
2.1.1 Expected Return with Variant Rules and Procedures
2.1.2 Expected Return vs. Return on Investment
2.2 Composition-Dependent Play
3 Tracking the Cards
3.1 Linear Counts
3.2 Choosing a Counting Vector 3.3 Unbalanced Counting Vectors
3.4 Relating the True Count to the Expected Return
4 Betting
4.1 Yield, Risk, and Optimal Bet Strategies
4.11 Bet size in relation to true count
4.12 Other criteria
4.2 Betting Proportional to Current Capital 4.3 Multiple Hands
4.4 Back-Counting and Table-Hopping
5 Playing the Hand When the Count and Bet Vary
5.1 Play Strategies that Vary with the Count
5.1.1 Reconsidering the Counting Vector
5.1.2 Count Dependence of the Play Parameters
5.1.3 The Insurance Bet
5.2 Counter Basic Strategy for the Variable Bettor
6 Synthesis and Observations
6.1 A Practical, Nearly Optimal Strategy
6.2 Blackjack as a Recreation vs. a Profession
Part II 7 Play Strategies
7.1 Basic Strategy, Large Number of Decks
7.1.1 Analytical Framework
7.1.2 Expected Player Return
7.1.3 Frequency of Tied Hands 7.1.4 Multiple Simultaneous Hands: Return, Variance, and Covariance
7.1.5 Expected Number of Cards Used per Round
7.2 Basic Strategy, Small Number of Decks
7.2.1 Analytical Framework
7.2.2 Expected Return, and Optimal Basic Strategy, vs. Number of Decks
7.2.3 Surrender; Insurance
7.3 Play Parameters Dependent on Identities of Initial Cards
7.3.1 Comparison with Previous Authorities
8 Card Counting
8.1 Analytical Framework
8.1.1 Asymptotic Distribution
8.1.2 Expected Return; Invariance Theorem
8.1.3 Hermite Series 8.2 Expected Return at Nonzero Depth
8.3 Optimizing the Counting Vectors
8.4 Optimizing the Counting Vectors: Many-Cards Limit
8.5 Computation of the Derivatives of the Expected Return
8.6 Unbalanced Counts
Appendix 8.A Asymptotic Distribution of Card Likelihoods Appendix 8.B Eigenmodes
9 Bet Strategies
9.1 Risk and Capitalization
9.1.1 Risk in a Game with Fixed Return
9.1.2 Optimal Betting When Return Fluctuates: Expected Capital and Risk
9.1.3 Connections with Finance
9.1.4 Distribution of Capital
9.1.5 Properties of the Risk and Expected Capital Expressions
9.1.6 Optimal Betting When Return Fluctuates: Bet Strategy
9.1.7 Yield When the Bet Size Is Discrete; Wong Benchmark Betting
9.2 Betting Proportional to Current Capital
9.2.1 Mixed Additive and Multiplicative Betting
9.3 Betting When Playing Multiple Simultaneous Hands
9.4 Back-Counting and Table-Hopping
9.4.1 Entry
9.4.2 Entry and Exit
9.4.3 Entry and Departure
9.4.4 Entry, Exit, and Departure
Appendix 9.A Distribution of Player’s Capital, Asymptotically for Large N
Appendix 9.B The Chain Rule Convolution 10 Play Strategies with Card Counting
10.1 Count-Dependent Playing Strategy
10.1.1 Counting Vector Optimal for Play Variation Alone
10.1.2 Single Counting Vector Optimal for Bet and Play Together
10.1.3 Two Distinct Counting Vectors
10.1.4 Insurance with Variable Betting 10.2 Counter Basic Strategy References
Index of Terms
Notă biografică
N. Richard Werthamer is retired from a successful career as a scientist and executive,
mostly recently as the Executive Officer of The American Physical Society. He earned
a B.A. summa cum laude from Harvard College, followed by a Ph.D. from the University
of California, Berkeley. His original scientific research has been published in the
world's leading journals. In RISK AND REWARD, he applies that background to his
analysis of blackjack.
Textul de pe ultima copertă
Praise for the First Edition:
"As the title suggests, Risk and Reward: The Science of Casino Blackjack is a book about strategies for increasing your chances of winning the game of Blackjack. … The author makes the book accessible to a variety of audiences by presenting the strategies separately from the mathematical analysis. … It is well organized, flows nicely and cites previous works. … Overall, the book is an entertaining and stimulating read for both mathematicians and casino goers."
-- Michael Rowell, The Mathematical Association of America, 2009
For decades, casino gaming has been steadily increasing in popularity worldwide. Blackjack, among the usual casino table games, is the only one where astute choices of playing strategy can create an advantage for the player.Risk and Reward analyzes the game in depth, pinpointing not just its optimal strategies but also its financial performance, in terms of both expected cash flow and associated risk.
This Second Edition begins by laying out the strategies and their performance in a clear, descriptive style. The presentation is self-contained, non-mathematical, and accessible to readers at all levels of playing skill, from novice to expert. Careful attention is also given to simplified but still nearly optimal strategies that are easier to use in a casino environment. Unlike other books in the literature, each aspect of the strategy is derived mathematically, to justify its claim to optimality. The derivations mostly use algebra and calculus, although some require more advanced analysis detailed in appendices. For easier comprehension, formulae are translated into tables and graphs, many of which are linked to interactive versions on the author's website that recompute for each reader's choice of playing conditions.
Risk and Reward will appeal to everyone interested in blackjack: every player seeking to improve their performance as well as those with training in mathematics and intrigued by its application to a game they enjoy.
N. Richard Werthamer is retired from a successful career as a scientist and executive, most recently as the Executive Officer of the American Physical Society. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College before receiving his PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of California at Berkley. His original research has been published extensively in the world’s leading journals. In this book, he applies his scientific background to the analysis of blackjack.
"As the title suggests, Risk and Reward: The Science of Casino Blackjack is a book about strategies for increasing your chances of winning the game of Blackjack. … The author makes the book accessible to a variety of audiences by presenting the strategies separately from the mathematical analysis. … It is well organized, flows nicely and cites previous works. … Overall, the book is an entertaining and stimulating read for both mathematicians and casino goers."
-- Michael Rowell, The Mathematical Association of America, 2009
For decades, casino gaming has been steadily increasing in popularity worldwide. Blackjack, among the usual casino table games, is the only one where astute choices of playing strategy can create an advantage for the player.Risk and Reward analyzes the game in depth, pinpointing not just its optimal strategies but also its financial performance, in terms of both expected cash flow and associated risk.
This Second Edition begins by laying out the strategies and their performance in a clear, descriptive style. The presentation is self-contained, non-mathematical, and accessible to readers at all levels of playing skill, from novice to expert. Careful attention is also given to simplified but still nearly optimal strategies that are easier to use in a casino environment. Unlike other books in the literature, each aspect of the strategy is derived mathematically, to justify its claim to optimality. The derivations mostly use algebra and calculus, although some require more advanced analysis detailed in appendices. For easier comprehension, formulae are translated into tables and graphs, many of which are linked to interactive versions on the author's website that recompute for each reader's choice of playing conditions.
Risk and Reward will appeal to everyone interested in blackjack: every player seeking to improve their performance as well as those with training in mathematics and intrigued by its application to a game they enjoy.
N. Richard Werthamer is retired from a successful career as a scientist and executive, most recently as the Executive Officer of the American Physical Society. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College before receiving his PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of California at Berkley. His original research has been published extensively in the world’s leading journals. In this book, he applies his scientific background to the analysis of blackjack.
Caracteristici
Fully and clearly describes how best to play casino blackjack, what result the player can expect from their optimal play, and the key choices the player must make that determine that result
Lays out, completely and rigorously, the analysis that derives the optimal play and its results
Goes beyond the purely descriptive to include the mathematics analysis to help increase ones chances of winning the game of Blackjack
Updated and expanded section on Bet Strategies
Lays out, completely and rigorously, the analysis that derives the optimal play and its results
Goes beyond the purely descriptive to include the mathematics analysis to help increase ones chances of winning the game of Blackjack
Updated and expanded section on Bet Strategies
Recenzii
From the reviews:
“As the title suggests, Risk and Reward: The Science of Casino Blackjack is a book about strategies for increasing your chances of winning the game of Blackjack. … The author makes the book accessible to a variety of audiences by presenting the strategies separately from the mathematical analysis. … It is well organized, flows nicely and cites previous works. … Overall, the book is an entertaining and stimulating read for both mathematicians and casino goers.” (Michael Rowell, The Mathematical Association of America, December, 2009)
“This book, based on the author’s own research as well as that of many others, describes current knowledge. Although aimed at serious Blackjack players, it begins with a full description of the game, including common variants, followed by an outline of the Basic Strategy, with hints of why some of these recommendations are made.” (John Haigh, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 94 (531), November, 2010)
“As the title suggests, Risk and Reward: The Science of Casino Blackjack is a book about strategies for increasing your chances of winning the game of Blackjack. … The author makes the book accessible to a variety of audiences by presenting the strategies separately from the mathematical analysis. … It is well organized, flows nicely and cites previous works. … Overall, the book is an entertaining and stimulating read for both mathematicians and casino goers.” (Michael Rowell, The Mathematical Association of America, December, 2009)
“This book, based on the author’s own research as well as that of many others, describes current knowledge. Although aimed at serious Blackjack players, it begins with a full description of the game, including common variants, followed by an outline of the Basic Strategy, with hints of why some of these recommendations are made.” (John Haigh, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 94 (531), November, 2010)