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A Winning Player - Keith Taft
If you're a novice blackjack player, then the name "Keith Taft" might not mean much to you. If, however, you love blackjack and play a lot, then you probably know who Keith Taft was. Although he died in 2006, Keith Taft's legend has remained with his inauguration into the Blackjack Hall of Fame and with his many inventions.
More About Keith Taft
Taft was a gifted electronics inventor who dedicated thirty years of his life to creating hi-tech and savvy ways to beat the casinos, mostly at blackjack. He actually created the first blackjack-beating system that was a computer. It weighted over 15 pounds and he actually strapped it to his back when he first tried to use it! Eventually, he discovered equipment that was much smaller, including some that weighed only a few ounces and that could compute a perfect blackjack strategy to help you win.
Keith Taft & His Background
Keith Taft received his bachelor's degree in music and physics and taught for a number of years. He went on to get a master's in Physics as well. During a trip to Reno in 1969, Taft first played blackjack and was, apparently, hooked on it. He become familiar with loads of blackjack strategy books and concentrated his energy on the science of the card counting.
Next for the Blackjack Hall of Fame Winner
In 1972, he first produced his 15 pound computer that he named George! George was able to calculate the house advantage for each hand and then figure out what the player should bet. This strategy helped to lead the way for the present day card counting, and certainly led to his inclusion in the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Taft joined teams with Ken Uston, another famous blackjack player, and they devised small computers and cameras to use during their casino time. These devices were, eventually, seen as being illegal in the casinos. While they were still legal, these devices were in many casinos, as Ken and Keith trained teams of gamblers to use them in the casinos. They ended up winning 80% of the time - which gave them as much as $100,000 in a five week time period!
The 80s and Beyond for Keith Taft
In the mid 1980s, Nevada clued into Keith Taft and his creative strategies. They outlawed devices in their casinos for strategy purposes. Some people claim that this ban came as a result of the miniature video camera that the casino found on Taft's brother's belt buckle. Today, Keith Taft is remembered as a blackjack legend and is honored in the Blackjack Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame in 2004 - and was certainly deserving of this honor. In addition, his best devices can be admired in a museum in the Barona Casino in California!
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