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Childhood

Little is known about Arnold Snyder’s early life, but his passion for mathematics and probability likely laid the foundation for his later career in professional gambling.

Career

Snyder became a leading authority on blackjack strategy, best known for:

  • The Blackjack Formula (1980) – The first book to highlight the importance of deck penetration in card counting.
  • Blackbelt in Blackjack – A must-read guide for aspiring card counters.
  • The Blackjack Shuffle Tracker’s Cookbook – The first mathematical analysis of shuffle tracking.
  • The Poker Tournament Formula (2006) – A strategic guide for tournament poker players. He also edited Blackjack Forum, a respected journal for professional gamblers, from 1981 until his death.

Personal life

Snyder kept his private life largely out of the public eye. He passed away on June 6, 2023, at the age of 75.

Revenue

While exact earnings from gambling and book sales are undisclosed, Snyder’s works were highly influential, suggesting substantial success as a player and an author.

Interesting facts

  • Advocated for blackjack team play in legal cases.
  • Exposed fraudulent gambling systems to protect players.
  • Initially, withheld Radical Blackjack (2021) to avoid exposing active advantage plays.
  • Legacy Snyder’s impact on blackjack is immeasurable.
  • His books remain essential reading, and his Hall of Fame status cements his place among gambling’s greatest minds.

Legacy

Snyder’s impact on blackjack is immeasurable. His books remain essential reading, and his Hall of Fame status cements his place among gambling’s greatest minds.

Frequently asked Questions

🃏What was Arnold Snyder’s biggest contribution to blackjack?

Snyder was the first to mathematically analyze deck penetration and shuffle tracking mathematically, revolutionizing card-counting strategies.

❔Why is Snyder in the Blackjack Hall of Fame?

He was elected as one of the original seven inductees for his innovations in blackjack strategy and his advocacy for professional players.

📖Did Arnold Snyder only write about blackjack?

No, he also wrote The Poker Tournament Formula, a key resource for tournament poker players.

✅Why did Snyder delay publishing Radical Blackjack?

He withheld it to avoid exposing still-active advantage plays used by professionals.

👌How did Snyder help blackjack teams legally?

His expert testimony in court cases helped protect the legality of team play in North America.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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