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Edward O’ Thorp: A Mathematical Pioneer
Dr. Edward Oakley Thorp, a doctor of mathematics, is world famous for his several forays into applied mathematics. The basic idea that has guided him is that one must find ways to convert the mathematical theory into a money-making reality. |
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| This has led him to be one of the dedicated researchers who have risked physical harm to verify their theories. His theories have brought about the creation of inventions and several changes in laws. |
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Thorp Authors: “Beat the Dealer”
Edward O' Thorp is probably most famous for his best selling book titled 'Beat the Dealer'. The book’s success was amazing in and of itself because specialty books are usually limited to a small crowd of interested people. In his book, Thorp describes how, by using a strategy of card counting, one can convert the house advantage of 5% in blackjack to an advantage in favor of the player. In fact Thorp also tested his theories by employing them while gambling in Las Vegas. The results were that he was forcibly expelled from several casinos that did not like the fact that he kept winning. Before he was stopped, he used his blackjack strategies to collect a total of eleven thousand dollars in winnings. This was the first time in history that a computer was successfully used as a gambling aid.
O’ Thorp Influences Blackjack Rules
Thorp's applied research in the mathematics of blackjack instantly became public knowledge. The blackjack casinos had to face either stopping to host the game of blackjack or changing the way the game was played. The result was that today Thorp's calculations can not be used because the dealer always shuffles the deck of cards before the end. This measure practically prevents any gain from being had by card counting. Another result of Thorp's blackjack strategies fame was that in 2003 he was officially inaugurated as a member of the blackjack hall of fame in recognition of his part in the evolution and understanding of the game.
Thorp Moves on to Roulette
Thorp didn't content himself with blackjack. His next foray was into the world of roulette. With the aid of his friends and computers that they invented hidden on their bodies, they managed to defeat the roulette system. The result was that after having won enough cash the casinos discovered what was going on and a law was passed to prevent players from employing computer aids in their gambling. Once more, Thorp's research brought about a significant change.
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