The Blackjack Hall of Fame stands as a tribute to the most influential figures in the history of the game. Located at the Barona Resort & Casino in San Diego County, California, this esteemed institution recognizes the brilliant minds who have shaped blackjack through their expertise in playing, writing, and mathematical analysis.
The Genesis of the Hall of Fame
The concept of the Blackjack Hall of Fame was the brainchild of blackjack author and expert Max Rubin. It officially launched in 2002. The initial inductees were selected through a nomination process involving blackjack experts, authors, and professional players, followed by a public online vote, and a final vote at the exclusive Blackjack Ball.
Since 2006, the responsibility for nominating candidates has shifted to the existing members of the Hall of Fame, with voting still conducted by invitees to the annual Blackjack Ball.
Members of the Blackjack Hall of Fame
2002
The inaugural class of the Blackjack Hall of Fame set a high standard, featuring some of the most foundational names in blackjack history:
- Al Francesco: Celebrated for developing the concept of blackjack team play and the "Big Player" strategy.
- Peter Griffin: A renowned mathematician and author of "The Theory of Blackjack," which profoundly impacted the mathematical understanding of the game.
- Tommy Hyland: Known for managing some of the longest-running and most successful blackjack card-counting teams.
- Arnold Snyder: A professional player, author, and editor of the influential "Blackjack Forum," he revolutionized professional card counting.
- Edward O. Thorp: Often hailed as the "Father of Card Counting," his groundbreaking book "Beat the Dealer" (1962) provided the mathematical basis for advantage play.
- Ken Uston: A professional player and author who popularized team play and successfully sued Atlantic City casinos, affirming the rights of card counters.
- Stanford Wong: An influential blackjack author and analyst, best known for his book "Professional Blackjack" and popularizing the technique known as "Wonging."
2004
- Max Rubin: The founder and host of the Blackjack Ball, known for his expertise in casino comps and media reporting on gambling events.
- Keith Taft: An inventor who created early hidden computerized devices to assist in advantage play.
2005
- Julian Braun: A pioneering author who utilized computers to analyze blackjack statistics and developed simplified card-counting systems.
- Lawrence Revere: Author of "Playing Blackjack as a Business," one of the first books on card counting written by a professional player.
2006
- James Grosjean: A brilliant mathematician and professional player, recognized for perfecting techniques like hole carding and shuffle tracking, and author of "Beyond Counting."
2007
- John Chang: A prominent player and manager on the famous MIT Blackjack Team.
2008
This year saw a special group induction:
- The Four Horsemen of Aberdeen (Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantey, Herbert Maisel, and James McDermott): This group, working with only desk calculators while serving in the U.S. Army in the 1950s, developed and published the first accurate basic strategy for blackjack.
2009
- Richard Munchkin: A professional blackjack and backgammon expert, author of "Gambling Wizards," and co-host of the "Gambling with an Edge" podcast.
2010
- Darryl Purpose: A high-stakes professional advantage player and key member of various card-counting teams.
2011
- Zeljko Ranogajec: The first international inductee, an Australian professional gambler widely considered one of the largest gamblers globally.
2012
- Ian Andersen: Author of classic books like "Turning the Tables on Las Vegas," which provided practical guides on blackjack camouflage.
2013
- Robert Nersesian: A Las Vegas lawyer specializing in defending card counters and an advocate for advantage players' rights.
2014
- Don Schlesinger: Renowned for his unparalleled understanding of blackjack, he has published extensive research on optimal betting, camouflage, and risk analysis, and is the author of "Blackjack Attack."
2015
- Bill Benter: A former blackjack team manager and highly successful horse racing handicapper, known for his work with covert legal blackjack computers.
2016
- Don Johnson: Famous for his incredible run in 2011, where he won over $15 million from Atlantic City casinos by leveraging their loss rebate programs.
2017
- Wally Simmons: A legendary blackjack and horse handicapping professional who used sophisticated techniques to achieve significant wins.
2018
- Rob Reitzen: Co-founder of CORE and innovator of a playing style known as the "Hammer."
2019
- Anthony Curtis: A professional blackjack and tournament player, and a successful publisher of professional gambling books.
2020
- Cathy Hulbert: A highly respected professional player and author.
2022
- Blair Hull: A successful professional gambler and financial innovator.
2023
- Maria “The Greek”: Co-founder and former manager of "The Greeks" blackjack team.
2024
- Rick “Night Train” Blaine: A significant player in Al Francesco's blackjack team and a recipient of the Ed Thorp Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Impact of the Blackjack Hall of Fame
The Blackjack Hall of Fame not only celebrates these remarkable individuals but also serves to educate the public about the intellectual depth and strategic intricacies of blackjack. It highlights the significant contributions made by these legends, inspiring new generations of players and researchers to explore the mathematical and strategic frontiers of the game.
Through their induction, the Hall of Fame ensures that the legacy of these blackjack titans lives on, preserving their stories and insights for years to come.
