Best blackjack bonuses

billryan
billryan
billryan
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March 15th, 2017 at 6:56:10 PM permalink
Just found what I consider to be a true bit of gambling history.
An unopened packet of Ken Ustons mail order blackjack seminar from 1979.
Printed on an old mimeograph machine, this includes the original Uston Blackjack seminar booklet, basic strategy for single and multiple decks, basic strategy flash cards, advanced betting strategies and elements of Ruin, and the Uston Advanced Point Count.
From the dates, I believe this predates any of his books.

Does anyone know what this cost back then?
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
rainman
rainman
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March 15th, 2017 at 8:34:37 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

Just found what I consider to be a true bit of gambling history.
An unopened packet of Ken Ustons mail order blackjack seminar from 1979.
Printed on an old mimeograph machine, this includes the original Uston Blackjack seminar booklet, basic strategy for single and multiple decks, basic strategy flash cards, advanced betting strategies and elements of Ruin, and the Uston Advanced Point Count.
From the dates, I believe this predates any of his books.

Does anyone know what this cost back then?



No, but that is pretty damn cool. How much you want for it?
billryan
billryan
billryan
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March 15th, 2017 at 8:41:07 PM permalink
One million dollars.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
MaxPen
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March 15th, 2017 at 9:50:39 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

One million dollars.



Is that all?
billryan
billryan
billryan
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March 15th, 2017 at 10:22:37 PM permalink
They call me Pushover Paige.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
FleaStiff
FleaStiff
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March 16th, 2017 at 1:00:07 AM permalink
Dear Pushover Paige:

I have no idea what it cost if it is unopened.

I do know that recipients who opened the packet and tried to put it to use paid very dearly for it.
Romes
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March 16th, 2017 at 7:44:46 AM permalink
That's really cool indeed! Fortunately or Unfortunately (depends on what you're looking for) you're going to have a really cool piece of BJ history to keep. If you really cherish the history of the game you wouldn't want to sell it, and if you did want to sell it you probably wouldn't get a good price for it given the exceedingly tiny market of people that would find collectors value from something like that... and don't forget, AP's watch every bottom dollar! =)
Playing it correctly means you've already won.
billryan
billryan
billryan
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March 16th, 2017 at 9:12:42 AM permalink
I have a small collection of vintage Vegas stuff. This joins it. At some point, I'm sure all of it will be for sale, but not now. As for the tiny market, all you need is two motivated people bidding against each other. The very first person I showed it to offered me double what I paid.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
Johnzimbo
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Ayecarumbaonenickelmiracle
March 16th, 2017 at 4:02:53 PM permalink
I would have only offered 3:2 what you paid :)
billryan
billryan
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March 16th, 2017 at 4:28:14 PM permalink
Ouch.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
Ayecarumba
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March 16th, 2017 at 7:41:02 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

...Does anyone know what this cost back then?



The two-day advanced course at Ken Uston's Institute of Blackjack was $397 in 1979, so maybe half that? $199?

Here's a link to great article from Sport's Illustrated telling the Ken Uston story shortly after he was banned for counting in Atlantic City, in January of 1979. The Odds Couple Scroll to the bottom of this long essay to see a quote from the man who would one day be Mayor of Las Vegas, Hizzonour Oscar Goodman.

Quote: Oscar Goodman defending his client's use of hidden computer equipment to count Blackjack

"There's nothing illegal about using computers. It's no different than the guys who make notations at the roulette wheels on pads provided by the casinos. The computer is merely a more sophisticated method."

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
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