Another of man's dreams had, at the beginning of the 1960s - and aided by the advent of the computer - one or two ingenious and mathematically minded American academics pioneered the miracle-like discovery that the casino card game, Blackjack, could actually be beaten. As you already know, this astonishing origination was achieved by applying certain ultra-correct, premium playing techniques and staking strategies that were capable of overturning the otherwise natural house edge.

And so it was, man had realized - what was perhaps his greatest dream; for in the legal, lawful and legitimate arena of the gambling casino - and more specifically, at the Blackjack table - man had legally, lawfully and legitimately discovered, and then established, an eternal winning edge against the house. The quest was won. The dream was realized. Now, some thirty -five years on and thanks to ever greater examination and more recent powerful - sometimes even radical - discoveries within the game, that dream is more real and more easily achieved today than at any time before.

Poker, when contrasted with Blackjack, is complex: for poker is less about cards, more about money, and even more about people. (This is confirmed by the maxim: 'If you can't spot the sucker within twenty minutes of joining in a game of poker, you should be looking at yourself'.) Blackjack, by comparison, is simplistic; for once you know its secrets and how to apply them (in order to outplay the house), Blackjack is only ever about money; and the winning of it.

In Blackjack, the players who are present at the table each play against the dealer (who represents the house) and not against each other. Inner consistency shows itself at the Blackjack table because the dealer is obliged to play to a fixed set of rules. These are predetermined, constantly repeated playing patterns from which he cannot deviate. Only the player can vary his play. Enter the skilled and informed player; who knows where, when and how to vary his play, to what degree and why - and it's only a matter of time before such a player begins to TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE CASINO. Blackjack, then sports an agreeable inner consistency from which we should all take great financial comfort. Indeed, the order of consistency is such that the skilled Blackjack player comfortably retains more control over his playing environment and the outcome of his game than any other player in any other gaming situation - bar none.