Donald "Don" Schlesinger is a gaming mathematician, author, lecturer, player, and member of the Blackjack Hall of Fame who specializes in the casino game of blackjack. His work in the field has spanned almost four decades. He is the author of the book Blackjack Attack - Playing the Pros' Way, currently in its third edition, which is considered one of the most sophisticated theoretical and practical studies of the game to date.
Schlesinger was born in New York City and graduated from the City College of New York (CCNY) with a B.S. degree in mathematics. In addition, he holds M.A. and M.Phil. degrees in French from the City University of New York. Don began his professional life teaching mathematics and French in the New York City school system. In 1984, he changed professions and, until 1998, was a principal (executive director) at a Wall Street investment bank. Since his retirement from the finance industry, he has devoted even more time to blackjack, in a researching, writing, teaching, and playing capacity.
His contributions to the game include research into optimal betting, risk analysis, optimal back counting, Floating Advantage, camouflage and team play, and card counting systems comparison.
He is most well known for:
Creating the Illustrious 18, an abridged set of the most efficient card counting indices mentioned in most card counting books published in the last 30 years.Creating DI (Desirability Index) and SCORE (Standard Comparison of Risk and Expectation), to optimally compare games under various scenarios.Publication of the optimal Blackjack composition-dependent basic strategy.Schlesinger has edited, consulted and/or collaborated with many of the leading Blackjack analysts, programmers, and authors, including Stanford Wong, Edward O. Thorp, Peter Griffin, Arnold Snyder, Karel Janecek, John Auston, Katarina Walker, and Norm Wattenberger. In addition, he has contributed to many different issues of the aficionado magazine Blackjack Forum. .
Books that mention Schlesinger include:
Repeat Until Rich by Josh AxelradBlackjack: A Professional Reference, the Encyclopedia of Casino Twenty-One by Michael DaltonThe Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic by Dr. Richard Arnold EpsteinThe Doctrine of Chances: Probabilistic Aspects of Gambling By Dr. Stewart N. EthierFinding the edge: mathematical analysis of casino games By Dr. Olaf Vancura, Dr. Judy A. Cornelius, Dr. William R. EadingtonBurning the Tables in Las Vegas by Ian AndersenProfessional Blackjack by Dr. Stanford WongRisk and Reward: The Science of Casino Blackjack by Dr. N. Richard WerthamerKnock-Out Blackjack by Dr. Olaf Vancura, Ken FuchsBasic Blackjack by Dr. Stanford WongThe Blackjack Zone by Dr. Eliot JacobsenLegends of Blackjack by Kevin Blackwood and Larry BarkerPlay Blackjack Like the Pros by Kevin BlackwoodBlackjack autumn: a true tale of life, death, and splitting tens by Barry MeadowBlackjack: Play Like the Pros by John BukofskyFrugal Video Poker by Jean ScottDynamic Blackjack by Dr. Richard ReidBlackjack Blueprint by Rick BlaineBlackbelt in Blackjack by Arnold SnyderBlackjack Diary by Stuart PerryBeyond Counting by Dr. James GrosjeanHollywood Blackjack by Dave StannThe Pro's Guide to Spanish 21 and Australian Pontoon by Katarina WalkerModern Blackjack by Norm WattenbergerBootlegger's 200 proof blackjack by Mike TurnerYou've Got Heat by BarfarkelMensa Guide to Casino Gambling: Winning Ways by Andrew BrismanSilver Fox Blackjack System by Ralph StrickerGet the Edge at Blackjack by John MayBooks that briefly acknowledge Schlesinger:
Gambling 102: The Best Stratgies for All Casino Games by Michael ShacklefordGambling Theory and Other Topics by Mason MalmuthBlackjack for Blood by Bryce CarlsonExtra Stuff by Dr. Peter GriffinBlackjack Essays by Mason MalmuthGambling for Winners: Your Hard-Headed, No B.S. Guide to Gaming by Richard StookerFundamentals of "21" by Mason Malmuth, Lynne Loomis