"Beat The Casino" by Frank Barstow

I am surprised that there aren't any posts about the book written by Frank Barstow "Beat The Casino." In it, there are various betting systems that are brilliant. I do not want to go over any of the systems in this post. But for those of you who have read the book, what do you think about the strategies mentioned?

31 Parlay System - it was said that an old man played this one strategy for a living

The 2 - 5 system

Barstow system - the only system that Frank Barstow is willing to lend his own name because he believes it is worth its weight. The other name he was planning to give it was "Royal roads to riches"

There are many systems mentioned in the book but these are the 3 that really stood out.

"Super Martingale" doesn't sound brilliant to me. I've never read it, but just seeing that associated with him from a quick Google search, I'd rather not read it.

Hi Frank:

Welcome to the Forum.

Nobody has written about this book because the very serious players here are looking to find an advantage when they play and this book does not offer any insight into gaining a mathematical edge over any game. He offers money management systems and they have all been around for a long time and they are not brilliant. Nobody can make a living off of any of these systems. If that was true this book would be one of the most popular books ever written and many casinos would be bankrupt. It's much,much more difficult to win than this book indicates. You may win in the short run using these systems but you can't win in the long run. No money management system can overcome a negative expectation. Questions such as this have been answered by knowledgeable players hundreds of times in this forum. Sorry, but you will have to work much harder than that to be a long term winner and you will have to do research to realize the legitimate methods of gaining an advantage in a gambling game.

Great book for the non AP
Great book, for cover, for the AP, in some games.
The ignorant, for both of those above, will rant and rave and foam at the mouth, without actually having read the book.

Quote: DeMango

Great book for the non AP
Great book, for cover, for the AP, in some games.
The ignorant, for both of those above, will rant and rave and foam at the mouth, without actually having read the book.

Any book that says you can "beat the casino" with "systems", is not a good book for ANYBODY!

Quote: DeMango

The ignorant, will rant and rave and foam at the mouth, without actually having read the book.

Fair enuff, I haven't read it.

No offense intended.

Peace, Out.

There are 22 used copies on Amazon, starting at one cent.

Quote: DeMango

Great book for the non AP
Great book, for cover, for the AP, in some games.
The ignorant, for both of those above, will rant and rave and foam at the mouth, without actually having read the book.

You can call me ignorant if you want, I don't mind, after all this is the internet. But I will let you know that I've read the book from cover to cover. I will grant you that the book could benefit a non AP but only if it increases his enjoyment of the games. It cannot increase his expectation. I will also grant you that some of his methods could possibly be useful for cover but there is nothing groundbreaking there. I'm not sure what you mean in saying that it could benefit an AP in some games other than for cover. I would be grateful if you could explain that. I took issue with the OP's claim that the systems are brilliant and his implication that a person could make a living from them or win in the long run.

Donniee, until now you have seemed to be a genuine low roller trying to learn to be a smarter gambler - just judging by what you have posted since you joined here. If you are a troll, you've fooled me by slow-playing me! Why would I mention that? because this particular post is so out of touch with this site that it resembles those posts that are put out there just to get a reaction.

"Royal roads to riches". Donniee! You could fall for that? Really? I fear for you now.

Lilred; If you notice, my post came seconds after your post, it was not directed at you. It was predicting the reaction of the politically correct AP's on this site. Didn't take long for it to come to pass.

Quote: DeMango

Lilred; If you notice, my post came seconds after your post, it was not directed at you. It was predicting the reaction of the politically correct AP's on this site. Didn't take long for it to come to pass.

I call some of the people on here many things, but PC never comes to mind. People on every side seem to voice their opinions without concerns for being PC. And that is a GOOD thing.

My definition is a little different. It is PC to be an AP or a wannabee on this site. Heaven forbid being a run of the mill gambler and......a systems player!

Sorry, but some of us try to be helpful. Not hurtful. Anything with bunk advice is hurtful.

Quote: DeMango

My definition is a little different. It is PC to be an AP or a wannabee on this site. Heaven forbid being a run of the mill gambler and......a systems player!

Note I am not trying to argue your opinion but I see it a little different.

They are more than a few casual gamblers on here that go to Vegas and casinos purely for the entertainment value, expecting to lose. I do not often see them getting blasted for it. More on the other side of seeing people help them get a better value for their dollar, still knowing they are playing a negative game.

The issue I see is "new" posters coming on here with some system they feel is going to break the casino and getting upset when shown the facts that it cannot win in the long term and they are missing how much they can lose in the short term when the inevitable happens. Usually these posters then get upset hearing this and become angry and at times ignorant to people trying to help them.

As for the book in question, I have no clue. Anything that helps the casual player improve their odds is ok, but when you present that it is secret way to "Beat the casino", odds are you are just trying to sell books.

Quote: billryan

There are 22 used copies on Amazon, starting at one cent.

Based on the OP's description of the book, it is overpriced at one cent. I'd put the value at whatever a recycling center will pay for the book for its paper value.

Quote: Wizard

Based on the OP's description of the book, it is overpriced at one cent. I'd put the value at whatever a recycling center will pay for the book for its paper value.

I use this system to get an idea if something is worth buying . If it is easily available online for a fraction of its cost, it speaks volumes to me.

I've never heard of this book. But I'll definitely pay attention on it.

Quote: lilredrooster

Nobody can make a living off of any of these systems. If that was true this book would be one of the most popular books ever written and many casinos would be bankrupt. It's much,much more difficult to win than this book indicates. You may win in the short run using these systems but you can't win in the long run. No money management system can overcome a negative expectation.

These statements are absolutely NOT true.

ThatDonGuy has done some great math on two threads showing the likely hood of someone being ahead with a negative EV (at least on the one I was involved in - i think it was based on a HE of -1.41) and for many many roles. the number was non-zero.

So what that means, is although the majority are losers, given the large volume of players, there are going to be PLENTY that are lifetime winners. Of course plenty is relative, and that number is much smaller than the losers of course, but to say "NOBODY" and "EVERYONE LOOSES" is not correct.

Quote: slackyhacky

So what that means, is there are going to be PLENTY that are lifetime winners.

Your statement and qualifications are misleading. If a person has won after after playing a very long time they have not won due to this book but to the nature of standard deviation itself. A person could just as well have won playing for the same amount of time choosing their bets based on tarot cards. I stand by my statement that nobody can make a living using this book. I, and most other people, would not define making a living as being very, very lucky. Everyone using these systems in a negative expectation game will lose in the long run. The mathematician's definition of the long run is infinity. A player getting extremely lucky and winning for a far greater than average amount of time is irrelevant. If you want to say that playing these systems if fun and improves your enjoyment of the games then I have no problem with a statement such as that. It's possible to be a long term winner due to something other than luck as an advantage player. That requires a significant amount of work and knowledge. It's not easy as are Barstow's systems.

Despite all the "AP" noise, it is still a great book for the systems table games player. Not everyone here is an "AP" player. We have Nathan.

Quote: DeMango

Despite all the "AP" noise, it is still a great book for the systems table games player. Not everyone here is an "AP" player. We have Nathan.

but the title is "beat the casino" ... the contents can't redeem the book with that lead-off

Quote: odiousgambit

but the title is "beat the casino" ... the contents can't redeem the book with that lead-off

The book is quite old, 60s or 70s with correspondingly lower bets that make little sense with $5-$10 limits today as opposed to $1 limits in those days. Anyway it is before the era of "PC AP" talk and the internet, mixed in, so to speak, with Scoblete "taking millions" off the craps table. It is a great read.

Quote: DeMango

Despite all the "AP" noise

There are several gambling forums on the web that promote similar types of systems and their promoters rarely go challenged on these sites. Don't you think it's useful to have a site that does challenge the idea that a money management system is a road to profitability? Several times a week on this forum somebody writes about their system and implies that it is a money maker. Should those who disagree here just shut up? Again, if they promote their systems as being enjoyable, not as a road to profitability, I don't have any problem with that.

Quote: DeMango

Not everyone here is an "AP" player. We have Nathan.

Seems that everyone here, not having read the book, thinks that this a book that insures riches as say a Scoblete craps book. Just not so. Please, let it go.

Quote: DeMango

Seems that everyone here, not having read the book, thinks that this a book that insures riches as say a Scoblete craps book. Just not so. Please, let it go.

I haven't read it, but as many people who own the book are willing to let it go for a penny, I'm thinking they weren't able to take advantage of the kernals of wisdom contained in it.

Review of Beat The Casino by Frank Barstow
Posted on March 4, 2012
Review of Beat The Casino by Frank Barstow
Frank Barstow was a Wall Street Analyst. Upon retirement he did substantial research on gambling systems.
All the gambling systems are documented in the book “Beat The Casino”. The book is now out of print.
He concluded by saying that he could have named these systems as “Royal Road to Riches, but he chose not to”. Then, in the epiloque, he criticised the politicians for legalising the casinos.
He explored up as you win systems, up as you lose systems, bet selection and partnership play.
UP AS YOU WIN
If you would like to go for small but consistent wins, parlay is a good system to use.
Barstow recommends this system
2 3 4 5 7 10.
Total= 31 units.
He said you should win 42 units for every 31 units that you lose.

You can also use the 31-parlay system
1 1 1 2 2 4 4 8 8
This system was documented in Las Vegas magazine. This old man make a living playing just one system.
The total loss per series is 31 units. That is why it is commonly known as 31-parlay system.
For playing parlay systems, use the reverse-repeat bet selection (more on this later).
And try to chose tables with lots of doublets and avoid tables with lots of singlets or chops or jumps (whatever you call it).
It does not matter if the cards do not go your way. You still have to do it for the benefit of the doubt.
Up-two-down-one system. Barstow says this is the best system. So, he lent his name to this system.
Now it is known as Barstow’s system.
1 2 3 5 7 9 11
Starting bet is one unit. You move up either one level or two units after a win. You reduce one level after a loss.
Generally, you conclude the series after three wins in a row, www, or two wins one loss then another two wins, wwlww.
It is not necessary to end the whole series after say www.
You can pull back to a lower level somewhere in the middle of the series if you still need to catch up.
Everytime you lose, you reduce one level.
If you lose three big bets consecutively exceeding 30 units, you drop the whole series. Execute your strict limit on losses.
Barstow said he played eighteen four hour sessions. His results are as follows:
Won 14 four hour sessions averaging 350 per session
Lost 4 four hour sessions averaging 150 per session.
See some examples here and figure it out yourself how I play this system.
Losses are in brackets
The examples are taken from my log playing 5% baccarat in one of my overseas trips.
Example 1:
1, 2, 3 won 6 units
Example 2 :
(1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), 1, 2, 4, 6, 3, 5 won 13 units
Example 3:
(1), (1), 1, (2), (1), (1), (1), 1, 2, (3), 2, (4), 3, (5), (4), 3, 5, 7, 9, (5), (4), 3, 5, 7. Won 16 units
Example 4:
(1), (1), (1), 1, (2), 1, (2), 1, 2, (4), 3, 5, (6), (5), (4), 3, (5), (4), 2, (4), 3, (5), 4, (6), 5,
(7), 6, 8, (10), 9, (11), 10, (5), 4, 6, 8, 4.
Won 2 units. Despite losing the two highest stake of 10 and 11.
You will notice how I deviate from the basic rules.
To win playing this system skilful handling is a MUST.
Note:
Play within your comfort zone. Professional gambling is a trade-off between risk and reward.
You must be comfortable with the risk in order to take the reward.
This method is still smart chasing of losses. The odds are still negative.
UP AS YOU LOSE
All up as you lose systems fall under the grind category.
Barstow says 80% of the professionals only escalate on winnings whereas 20% of the professionals also escalate on losing.
To the latter, they say it is the surest way to win.
Barstow describe the following systems.
1. Doubling up or Martingale.
Barstow recommend strict limit of losses at four levels.
Careful bet selection is a MUST to come out ahead.
2. Fibonacci.
1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233
Twelve levels.
Barstow says bet selection is crucial to come out ahead.
Just follow my blog. One day I will describe to you how I modify these fibonacci numbers for optimal play. I won between 50 cents to one dollar per bet. That is, if I had played one thousand bets, my winning is US$500.
3. Two-Five system.
Barstow recommend this system. He says it is a good especially when
played with partners or use imaginary partnerships.
You create a string with five numbers.
For example 2 3 5 7 10
Start with two units you keep pushing up until you get two wins or lose the series.
Anytime you get your two wins you conclude your series.
For example your winning series can be
2, 3
(2), (3), 5, 7
(2), 3, 5
(2), 3, (5), 7
2, (3), 5
2, (3), (5), 7
(2), (3), (5), 7, 10
(2), (3), 5, (7), 10
For bet selection, Barstow recommend a method he named it “PATTERN”.
In this bet selection you will lose to double chop or two-two, but win all long series of single chop (or jump or alternating). You will also win all long streaks of BANKER as well as PLAYER.
You only lose to BANKER second liner and PLAYER second liner.
The REVERSE of PATTERN is the bet selection known as REVERSE-REPEAT.
Barstow recommends player switch to REVERSE-REPEAT when they notice they are losing more times.
In REVERSE-REPEAT, player wins the first liner and second liner of both BANKER and PLAYER.
REVERSE-REPEAT bet selection is ideal when you are playing systems like parlay where two consecutive wins are crucial.
I repeat,
REVERSE-REPEAT BET SELECTION IS IDEAL WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING SYSTEMS LIKE PARLAY WHERE TWO CONSECUTIVE WINS ARE CRUCIAL.

Quote: DeMango

The book is quite old, 60s or 70s with correspondingly lower bets that make little sense with $5-$10 limits today as opposed to $1 limits in those days. Anyway it is before the era of "PC AP" talk and the internet, mixed in, so to speak, with Scoblete "taking millions" off the craps table. It is a great read.

I would bet if guys like him did an honest accounting they would find that zero money was made of the actual craps table from DI.

I find it suspicious whenever I hear someone is retiring from something like DI. Unless they cant physically do it anymore. If I was them and I truly thought DI worked I would search high and low trying to find someone to bank and share profits.

If DI is possible. Right now is the perfect time. There is almost no heat and they are getting more generous as far as comps and marketing.

If you could just break even you would do well given a healthy bankroll.

Actually there ýs one exact way of beating casýnos at long term. Lunar poker (Russýan Poker) ýs a poker game whých u can play at European casýnos. U can play thýs game 1-4 boxes. If u play more than one box u need to play blýnd. They do not allow you to see the cards of the other players before you make your actýon (draw, fold or game) . But at North Cyprus most of the casýnos allow you to play 2-4 open boxes . In thýs case ýf you play the correct game you play wýth plus house edge 2 to 4 boxes %2-7 plus edge . And also you can take some dýscounts on your loses %5-20 cash back . There alot of pro players from all over the world who play there and they wýn at long term. But the thýng ýs ýf casýno belýeves that you are a poker pro they wýll take u to theýr blacklýst after few games . u can fýnd all detaýls about the edge of the game at , and for Cyprus casýnos check , , etc

Anybody having this ebook could please send me this book? Many thanks