Wild Cards

A Year Counting Cards with a Professional Blackjack Player, a Priest, and a $30,000 Bankroll

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Games, Gambling, Table, Card games, Card Games
Cover of the book Wild Cards by Philip Reed, Skyhorse
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Philip Reed ISBN: 9781634509046
Publisher: Skyhorse Publication: November 17, 2015
Imprint: Skyhorse Language: English
Author: Philip Reed
ISBN: 9781634509046
Publisher: Skyhorse
Publication: November 17, 2015
Imprint: Skyhorse
Language: English

Philip Reed is coasting toward retirement, looking for one last adventure, when he meets Bill Palis, a professional blackjack player and former member of the legendary MIT team that took the casinos for millions.

At a blackjack table in a strip casino, Phil sees Bill win $1,600 in 20 minutes of play-and he’s intrigued. Initially, he plans to write the book as a spectator, but Bill encourages him to overcome his fears, learn to count cards, and get a piece of the action for himself. The two men form a friendship and begin traveling and playing blackjack together, often with Father Andy, who kicks in money so they can play out of a $30,000 bankroll.

Phil, who has adult ADD, and flunked math in high school, adopts the challenge of card counting as a way to banish the old ghosts of his poor self-image and build new synapses in his aging brain. With Bill as his tough mentor, Phil struggles to learn the game and secretly track the cards. As Phil's play improves, Bill teaches him to disguise his wins and avoid scrutiny from casino security and the Orwellian “eye-in-the-sky” security cameras.

Philip Reed punctuates My Piece of the Action with short, funny, informational sections on various gambling-related subjects. These sections step outside the main story and add depth by investigating different card counting systems, the danger of gambling addiction, interviews with memory experts, and secrets of dealers, pit bosses, and casino surveillance specialists. Throughout, he takes a humorous look at casino characters, even as he begins to sink into the gambling world himself.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Philip Reed is coasting toward retirement, looking for one last adventure, when he meets Bill Palis, a professional blackjack player and former member of the legendary MIT team that took the casinos for millions.

At a blackjack table in a strip casino, Phil sees Bill win $1,600 in 20 minutes of play-and he’s intrigued. Initially, he plans to write the book as a spectator, but Bill encourages him to overcome his fears, learn to count cards, and get a piece of the action for himself. The two men form a friendship and begin traveling and playing blackjack together, often with Father Andy, who kicks in money so they can play out of a $30,000 bankroll.

Phil, who has adult ADD, and flunked math in high school, adopts the challenge of card counting as a way to banish the old ghosts of his poor self-image and build new synapses in his aging brain. With Bill as his tough mentor, Phil struggles to learn the game and secretly track the cards. As Phil's play improves, Bill teaches him to disguise his wins and avoid scrutiny from casino security and the Orwellian “eye-in-the-sky” security cameras.

Philip Reed punctuates My Piece of the Action with short, funny, informational sections on various gambling-related subjects. These sections step outside the main story and add depth by investigating different card counting systems, the danger of gambling addiction, interviews with memory experts, and secrets of dealers, pit bosses, and casino surveillance specialists. Throughout, he takes a humorous look at casino characters, even as he begins to sink into the gambling world himself.

More books from Skyhorse

Cover of the book Dictionary of Espionage and Intelligence by Philip Reed
Cover of the book The Future of Tennis by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Vegan Desserts by Philip Reed
Cover of the book In the Name of Humanity by Philip Reed
Cover of the book WECK Small-Batch Preserving by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2011-2012 by Philip Reed
Cover of the book The Healing Foods Cookbook by Philip Reed
Cover of the book No More Diabetes by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Alexander Hamilton's Revolution by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Buffalo Stampede by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Sorcerer's Apprentice by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Wild Yosemite by Philip Reed
Cover of the book Brewing Porters and Stouts by Philip Reed
Cover of the book The Organic Cook's Bible by Philip Reed
Cover of the book 11 Points Guide to Hooking Up by Philip Reed
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy