Symbolism behind Blackjack. Conscious/Subconscious symbolism.

In the past while delving into the rules of Blackjack for the first time, I vaguely recall a reading that said that it is not uncommon that a Blackjack player has some rebellious inclinations rooted within him and that is partly what would draw him to the game itself. To go against authority, or against the establishment. These themes would mirror coincidentally with the game itself ie. you are playing against the "house" or "institution" as a whole. I have tried to do a Google search on this topic without any results. I am wondering if anyone has found a link or a book that would touch on this esoteric aspect of Blackjack or have some thoughts or personal reflections and experiences to share. Also I find it interesting that for the Advantage Player, it is often a solitary pursuit and not that solitary pursuits are bad but that it draws to the game certain personality types. I do enjoy how intelligent and thoughtful the AP community is from this board as well as from reading AP literature.

Wino.

Virtually all games are banked by the house so I see nothing about Blackjack as being exceptional in any respect.

Rebellious, anti-establishment types? Well, ain't we all?

Probably Reward Deficiency Syndrome.

Quote: Wino

. Also I find it interesting that for the Advantage Player, it is often a solitary pursuit and not that solitary pursuits are bad but that it draws to the game certain personality types.

Wino.

I think you would be surprised to find out many BJ AP's are actually NOT playing as a solitary pursuit. Sure they may be sitting at the table alone, but behind the scenes theres tons of non solitary interactions with partners and friends.

People think AP attracts a certain type of person, but I have found it's a very diverse group of people from around the world. Everyone from previously homeless, former school teachers, casino employees, housewives, doctors, professors. There's completely "normal" people, to completely insane people who AP. I have seen mathematicians with money fail and guys who rarely went to school who started with nothing succeed.

The only common link I have seen is the people who do it, find it fun and interesting to make money from games.

Yes there's more 30+ white males attempting card counting. You could say the same about other things.

One interesting thing about blackjack that distinguishes it from other casino games is that you are playing against the dealer.

Quote: Greasyjohn

One interesting thing about blackjack that distinguishes it from other casino games is that you are playing against the dealer.

Not so for three card poker?

Henry Tamburin offers his insight on player types by game here: Matching Games to Personality Types. Sorry, no support for the OP theory.

[Edit: Corrected spelling of Tamburin's name, thanks for the hint 1BB]

Quote: BleedingChipsSlowly

Quote: Greasyjohn

One interesting thing about blackjack that distinguishes it from other casino games is that you are playing against the dealer.

Not so for three card poker?

At least you don't play against the dealer in Ultimate Texas Hol.....wait a second!!

Quote: Wino

I vaguely recall a reading that said that it is not uncommon that a Blackjack player has some rebellious inclinations rooted within him and that is partly what would draw him to the game itself.

That might hold true for a Blackjack Advantage Player, but it tends to hold true for AP's in general. Most players are not advantage players.

I can tell you that for my own case, I prefer blackjack over poker, since I want to take the house's money, and I'd rather not take money from some player.

Quote: Dieter

That might hold true for a Blackjack Advantage Player, but it tends to hold true for AP's in general. Most players are not advantage players.

I can tell you that for my own case, I prefer blackjack over poker, since I want to take the house's money, and I'd rather not take money from some player.

The house takes the player's money and you take the house's money that they won from the player. As a result, the house is merely the middle man in about every game.

Quote: doubleluck

The house takes the player's money and you take the house's money that they won from the player. As a result, the house is merely the middle man in about every game.

I still prefer taking money from the house over pushing money back and forth on a poker table.

Quote: BleedingChipsSlowly

Henry Tamberin offers his insight on player types by game here: Matching Games to Personality Types. Sorry, no support for the OP theory.

I like Henry Tamburin. When's the next Golden Touch Blackjack course? :-)