“The house always wins,” they say, but not with Anthony Curtis. He is a self-taught blackjack genius, author, and publisher who has become an icon in the gambling industry. His impact on Las Vegas earned him a seat in the Blackjack Hall of Fame.
In today’s Vegas Aces Casino news, you’ll learn how he transformed his love for blackjack into a full-fledged empire, from groundbreaking publications to appearances on major TV networks.
Anthony Curtis: Blackjack Player and Industry Leader
Anthony Curtis was born in 1958. Growing up, he understood probability well and knew his way around games, always beating the older guys. While he was in tenth grade, he learned the concept of card counting from Charles Einstein’s book “How To Win at Blackjack,” which a family friend presented to him. This book sparked a lifelong interest and passion for blackjack in him.
Anthony Curtis became so engrossed in blackjack that he lost interest in school activities. He was on a wrestling scholarship at Duke University and couldn’t stop schooling because his father was a University professor. Also, he was not yet of age to gamble.
Transition From Academics to Blackjack
When Anthony Curtis clocked 21, he dropped out of college. After negotiating his way out with his parents convincing them of his reason for dropping out, he traveled to Las Vegas. Publishing was the first thing Anthony had in mind. However, things turned out better for him at the table than he had planned.
At Vegas, Anthony Curtis had a limited bankroll, so he had to take advantage of his gambling skills and rely on casino promotions and bonuses. Anthony also played against less skilled players to build himself financially. During this process, he gathered much experience in navigating Las Vegas cheaply.
As he grew his bankroll, Anthony met with other better blackjack players and learned from them. He made friends with individuals like Stanford Wong and Peter Griffin. With much determination, he took his game to an expert level.
Blackjack Gaming Tournament Wins
Anthony Curtis’s career-defining moment was when Stanford Wong, a legendary blackjack writer and tournament team owner, asked him to join the team. Wong mentored him, and they entered into a lifelong friendship. Curtis felt the experience was similar to a good physics student getting a mentorship from Albert Einstein.
He became a great advantage player, exploiting casino mistakes and winning several games against the house.
In 1986, Anthony Curtis won the Hilton’s Matchplay Blackjack Championship in Las Vegas for a $76,000 first-place prize. In January 2017, he won Max Rubin’s 21st annual Blackjack Ball, receiving the Grosjean Cup for the World’s Greatest Blackjack Player. He had also won a Las Vegas Blackjack Championship, taking home a $60,000 cash prize.
Anthony Curtis also competed in the first series of the Ultimate Blackjack Tour before the tournament folded in its second series. He competed with some of the best blackjack players in history, like James Grosjean, MIT Mike, and Ken Smith.
Anthony Curtis: Founding of the Las Vegas Advisor and Huntington Press
As stated earlier, publishing was Anthony Curtis’s initial plan for going to Las Vegas. However, the plan had become blurred amidst his unexpected gaming success at the table. The idea resurfaced when he tried learning about Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Advisor
Anthony had mastered Sin City. He knew almost every casino and gaming establishment. He perceived that his experience and gambling prowess could greatly benefit visitors. Therefore, he began rolling out newsletters, establishing the Las Vegas Advisor in 1983.
The Las Vegas Advisor (LVA) provides information about Las Vegas, including casino gaming information, and offers casino coupons. Since its launch, it has been the leading publication in the city.
Huntington Press
Anthony Curtis established the Huntington Press the same year he founded the Las Vegas Advisor. The company releases factual insider gambling information and well-researched true crime stories. It published Cathy Scott’s Los Angeles Times best-selling book, “The Killing of Tupac Shakur.”
Reputation as a Blackjack Guru
As his reputation as a blackjack guru and a Las Vegas insider spread, Anthony Curtis was sought after by some of the biggest names in entertainment. NBC’s “Crime Story,” Disney Studios, and the blockbuster film Ocean’s 13 partnered with Anthony Curtis as their gambling consultant and expert.
High-profile publications eager to understand his winning secrets sought interviews and articles with him. He has appeared on several gambling-themed TV programs.
On February 22, 2020, Anthony Curtis secured his place in the Blackjack Hall of Fame for his impact.
Snap Summary
English philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon said, “A wise man makes more opportunities than he finds.” Anthony Curtis is a man who has made more opportunities than he found in blackjack. He has established himself as a trusted casino figure and contributed to Las Vegas’s vibrant life. His companies, Las Vegas Advisor and Huntington Press publications are a go-to for many tourists.
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