Rating: 
Summary: Only book I have read on blackjack with anything new to say
Review: There seems to be a lot of contorversy over this book, and perhaps some of the reviewers should stick to doing reviews on THE BOOK instead of attacking the writer, but in all fairness, this book is the only book on blackjack that I have ever read that has something differerent to say about the game. I have not tried out this new strategy yet in the casinos but practicing at home with 2 decks shuffled together and after about 20 hours of play I am winning, in fact I am over the theoretical win rate that the author states in the book of 1% with Atlantic City rules. Personally, in my opinion, this book is one of the best or possibly the best, simply by the nature of it offering us a new look at the game, book on blackjack on the market.
Rating:
Summary: Answer to "Sounds fishy to me"
Review: To the person who wrote this and DID NOT identify themself. I do have the same last name and I do live in Staten Island but I have no relation to the author of this book. If I was related to the author I could have simply hid or changed the name on the review, I DID NOT.. There are 102 people on Staten Island who have the same last name. My Email address is also available to Amazon friends. I can be found every week at the Borgata or the Trump Marina using the "Gregorian Strategy". The book is in the top 3 on Popular Results for Blackjack, this is based on sales and if my review helped anyone make a decision to buy it, I think it will help them win at Blackjack and the way they play. I STAND by my HONEST recommendation of this book Dated 9/23/2003 and the update on 11/4/2003.
Joseph Mannarino
Rating:
Summary: This is the book for you.
Review: Simply the most original, easiest to learn and effective new strategy for blackjack. I am a semi-professional blackjack player having played all over the world for many years.
I began using this gregorian strategy in January and since that time I have won an average of 6 of 10 sessions putting me ahead several thousand dollars.
I have had the opportunity to talk and learn from the author through the books web site. Mr Mannarino in my opinion is the authority on modern casino games and I would like to thank him here publically for all his help.
Rating:
Summary: Answer to direct question.
Review: I can see that you have very, and I mean VERY limited knowledge of casino blackjack, and as I sit here writing this, I cannot believe that I am wasting time writing to an individual with such an infantile understanding of the game.
I do not know which one of your "comments" I should address first.
Let see..
Ok. We will start with this.
You will look for a positive bias table in order to maximize your chances at winning. Just because you are playing with any kind of long term advantage does not guarantee that you will win, it means you are a favorite to win. In gambling, pay attention now, you must do anything and everything in order to maximize your chances of having a winning session.
The rest of your comment is frankly so unworthy of an answer that I will end here.
If you would like to really learn how to play casino blackjack, you can contact me through my website www.Gregorian-Strategy.com I will answer anyones questions or comments from that site.
No hard feelings seriously, and I am sorry that you did not like the book. I suggest that you return it to where you bought it.
To the many of you that have written to me all over the world and are beating the casinos at there own game, again my thanks and my appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: A thinking mans strategy!
Review: I own this book for almost 2 months. I love the game so I've read just about every book on the subject, some good and some not so good. Most of the books are not very different and most all teach the "Basic Strategy" with some variations. Although the basic strategy works well with 1 and 2 deck games which you can find in Las Vegas, it does NOT work well at all with 6 or 8 deck games which are found in Atlantic City where I play. I believe this "Gregorian Strategy" book addresses the multiple deck game exclusively and does so in a new and different way. I have used this strategy (with some reluctance at first) in all my Blackjack sessions in Atlantic City casinos since reading the book several times with results that truly surprised me. Giving up my old way basic strategy of playing was very difficult but now my win rate is higher and my win consistency is something I would never have believed. The choice to buy or not to buy or use the strategy of this book is up to you, I can only say it was a benefit to me. Good Luck and Happy Holidays to all.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for blackjack fans.
Review: Forget the planted bad reviews! This new strategy is and has been making me money since last December. I personally believe that bad reviews are being placed on this book BY THE CASINOS!
This new strategy is much better than old basic. If you do not believe me, I say simply try it for yourself. I practiced at home for a month and that proved to me that it works, I have been using it in the casinos and it works there also.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so revolutionary!
Review: I thought I had found a very interesting book on Blackjack. I was wrong. If you truly want to spend some time reading a good and helpful book on BJ well just do not buy this book. I went through the book in few hours and I have to say that I was not impress at all. The author is not very convincing at all. It takes a while before he gets to the point in the chapter ²the gregorian theorem². No evidence other than the words from the author that this strategy works! What a good way to convince me. Though, if you have enough spare time I would say to you to test that strategy and verify by yourself its validity. If you have the time of course...
Rating: 
Summary: Well SHAMir from Manhattan, NY
Review: If you are truly a semi-pro BJ player using this system, you must be hitting a lot of 13's vs. dealer 5, hmmm?These planted "5 star" reviews are so transparent......
Rating:
Summary: I am saddened
Review: I am saddened. Why? Because I just realized this book is a sham. I bought it before a losing session and began reading it right after - I practically read half of it in one night and got all excited about having found the "one".
The thing is, I am wise to myself by now (I am 30 years old); I eventually realized why I was such a big believer at first; because I really wanted to believe it's true. But it's not. I can tell just by reading the book. I used to play Mini Baccarat a lot, and the banker has slightly more than a 1% edge over the player. But the casino charges a 5% commission on banker wins, thus making it in favour of the casino. Basically, what I'm getting at is if the banker did not have a commision, you could get ahead quickly and stay at the table all day and all night, winning and winning. As far as the excuse of getting heat, therefore having to leave, I just don't buy it. The author basically explains in his book that he cannot sit at a table and pound it out with the casino - he has to play and run. His diary proves it. He plays for a bit, then runs, either when he's gotten up a bit, or when he is down a bit and feels it's a bad table to continue to play at. He's no different from all the other play and dash guys out there.
Their basic rules are;
1) When you get ahead, quit, otherwise you are going to lose it all back.
2) When losing, quit that table before it completely wipes you out.
Basically, limit your losses, but not your winnings. Just because someone has the discipline to do this, and averages winning $25 per hour betting $25 chips, doesn't mean they have a 1% edge. They are just good at getting in and out at the right time.
If I truly had a 1% edge, I would just sit back and relax, hiding my chips as they came. Also, why wouldn't his back cover be more convincing? If he truly had found the ultimate solution for blackjack, he would say it there, but doesn't. Here is a sampling of what is said; "make the game more profitable for you", "a completely new strategy for casino blackjack", "a fresh approach to the game". Nothing to indicate he has the magic cure, even though inside he claims he does.
There are also many mistakes in the book - how do you trust a person who's basic strategy is all messed up in print? I don't trust people who can't get the most important part correct. He says to stand on A7 against a 2, yet the strategy guide says to hit. There are other contradictions to, not to mention 2 spaces are left blank - I guess you have to figure them out yourself.
The author also sounds foolish with his constant "are you with me", and "are you paying attention" stuff. It was funny at first, but then he got annoying and tiresome. It's a poor read. Not to mention, he treats the reader as if everyone is pretty dim-witted, ei, of below average intelligence.
The author apparently also has some major issues - especially with the casino's. He talks so much about how much they hate him, when I think it's more or less really about how much he hates them. From the very first paragraph, he feels the need to tell the casino how much he takes from them, and how good his life is because of them. He also feels the need to keep saying how great his life is. Haven't we all met this type of person? One who must constantly brag about how great their life is? Why? Because it isn't so great, but it makes them feel better to lead people to believe they have it better than you. To sum up, the other night at the casino, somebody deviated from basic strategy and won, and said something about it being effective. The appropriate words came to me, and I simply replied "everything works sometimes". My best success in gambling is when I'd quit after capitolizing on a winning streak and quitting right after, because if I didn't, the casino would then get their own winning streak that was longer than mine.
Also, in mini-bac, you can bet against other players. Some people are natural losers. They will begin play, sometimes losing virtually every hand, then tell everyone that they just lost 17 of their first 19 hands they wagered. The worst part is, when they see you winning, they decide to wait until you bet so they can bet with you, not realizing that the only reason for your success is because you are betting against them.
Another good time to bet against a player is when they have just gotten ahead a little. They usually try to push ahead for a big win, and almost certainly lose, falling back to even or less.
Don't worry about the ethics of betting against people - I've had it done to me, and people have had success betting against me.
I'm feeling a bit down - I really wish this book was the real deal, but I gave it 2 stars instead of only 1, because atleast it gave me a false sense of hope for a day or so.
Rating:
Summary: I've read this book and it STINKS
Review: I wish I had read Nick Christenson's unbiased review of the book first ... Here is an excerpt of that review: The author makes a number of other statements that don't make sense to me. He states that casinos have a blackjack win rate of 6% of money wagered. His suggestions regarding bankroll size do not agree with those advocated by the Kelly Criterion. Regarding his system, the author makes the claim that it has been subjected to computer analysis and has been proven to work. I see no evidence that this is actually the case. So, what's the bottom line? I simply don't believe that the strategy pitched in Gregorian Strategy for Multiple Deck Blackjack is a winning strategy. I doubt I could convince the author of this, and even if possible, it would almost certainly require more effort than I want to expend. Is this the great blackjack breakthrough we've all been waiting for? Nope. Is this book worth reading? Nope. My advice: Folks who want to beat the game of blackjack should stick with the classics. Capsule:
To start with, Gregorian Strategy for Multiple Deck Blackjack is just plain annoying to read. The worse sin, though, is that it espouses a strategy that I just don't believe will work. The book is filled with a great deal of information that is at odds with the blackjack literary canon, and in my opinion, the reader should stick with the canon. If one acquires a copy of this book for free, I honestly cannot recommend that one take the time to read it.
|
