The Career of Ken Uston in the World of Blackjack

Many people are getting hooked in the game of blackjack due to the fact that blackjack players are capable of displaying their exceptional skills. Blackjack proves to be not only a game of chances but also a game wherein skillful players have the edge of winning.

Several blackjack players are known all over the world. Some are even known not only for their notable skills in playing the game, but also because of the fact that they have introduced several methods or strategies or techniques or concepts that have made blackjack an even more interesting gambling game. One of the blackjack players who had a remarkable contribution to the world of blackjack was the late Ken Uston, the main focus of our topic.

Ken Uston was born in New York City on January 12, 1935. As a student, he was doing pretty well academically. He was a graduate of Yale University who continued to obtain a Master's degree in Business Administration from Harvard University. He held several positions in various companies including being an executive of Southern New England Telephone Co., American Cement, and Pacific Stock Exchange. Despite his success in the corporate world, he knew how to have fun by visiting casinos and playing blackjack.

Ken Uston was recognized as a blackjack player who popularized the concept of team play. It was in 1978 when this blackjack player established a team in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The team emerged to be successful and profitable. Unfortunately, casinos in such city decided to bar him from playing because of the fact that he used card counting to play blackjack efficiently. In 1979, he decided to sue Resorts International when it also barred him from playing. He indicated in his lawsuit that there was no law that prohibited skilled players from playing in casinos within Atlantic City. He won the lawsuit and up until now, casinos and gambling establishments in Atlantic City do not have the power to prohibit card counters from participating in blackjack games.

During the time when Ken Uston was barred from several casinos, this blackjack player learned to adopt physical disguises just so he would be able to continue playing his favorite casino game.

This blackjack player was also known for his aggressiveness when playing against his fellow blackjack players.

Aside from being a blackjack player, Ken Uston was also a well-known author of blackjack books. "The Big Player" was a book he co-wrote with blackjack player Roger Rapoport, while "Million Dollar Blackjack" was a book he wrote by himself.

Ken Uston was surely a great loss to the blackjack world when he died on September 19, 1987 due to heart failure.