When it comes to gambling, there's no better game to beat the odds—and win big—than blackjack. But there's more to it than just doubling down. You will learn about the mysterious—and surprisingly legal—skill of card counting, casino etiquette, single vs. team play, tournament play, variation games, online games, and more.

In this concise but complete manual, blackjack expert Tom Hagen and author Sonia Weiss deal out information on:

• Complete rules for blackjack as well as variation games (like Double Exposure and Blackjack Switch)
• Basic and complex strategies (including surrendering, entering early, and insurance)
• Tricks for understanding odds and probability (such as how early surrender gives players close to a .60 percent advantage over the house)

Forget Lady Luck. This guide gives you the advantage, skill, and confidence needed to beat the house every time—and cash in!

Tom Hagen (Keystone, SD) has been in the blackjack pits since 1990, working as a dealer, pit boss, floorman, and gaming manager for casinos in Las Vegas and South Dakota. He was table games manager for Gold Dust Gaming in Deadwood, SD, and has previously worked at the Las Vegas Club and the Resort at Summerlin. He is known and respected in the gaming industry, and is frequently called on to give expert testimony before the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.

Sonia Weiss (Glendale, AZ) is an avid card player and plays blackjack and poker at casinos in South Dakota and Las Vegas. She is a freelance writer and author with twenty years of professional experience. She has authored and coauthored numerous books, including two titles in the Everything series (The Everything Photography Book and The Everything Prayer Book).