Blackjack genius Julian Brown

Casino fans have heard of the Blackjack Hall of Fame. In 2003, the Barona Casino opened in San Diego, California. The gaming establishment was frequented by the most talented and skilled players. One non-professional player, Julian Brown, is remembered most of all by the public. A programmer by training, he left his mark on the development of blackjack. Guided by the writings of Edward Thorpe, the young enthusiast created several quality card counting systems. Familiarising yourself with Julian’s biography and activities will help you get to know this man better.

Brown’s birth and education

Julian Brown was born in 1929 in Chicago. From an early age, the toddler was distinguished by his inquisitive mind. The little boy was interested in the world around him. Julian successfully graduated from high school and got necessary knowledge in Illinois Institute of Technology. After the army, future programmer continued his studies at California University.

After graduating from the university, the young professional went on to work at Chrysler. However, he did not work here for long, and soon afterwards he moved to IBM. For thirty years Julian Brown worked for the company. He managed to reach some career heights, becoming a leading specialist in a research laboratory in Chicago.

Blackjack and the casino game

Brown’s interest in blackjack came by chance, after reading the book Beat the Dealer by the famous Edward Thorpe. The print edition vividly discussed the blackjack card system. Julian became very interested in Thorpe’s developments. The programmer discovered some shortcomings in the strategy created. The inquisitive reader was inspired with the idea to improve the developed system and make it more efficient. The young specialist wrote to Thorpe and shared his desire to improve the card game on paper. In his letter he asked for a copy of the card program. Brown was able to do it, as he had advanced computer technology and knew how to use it.

Edward Thorpe accepted the help of a talented computer genius. The corrections made over time were added to the printed edition. Julian’s name was mentioned in the book. The improved system was notable for its ease of use.

Years later, the programmer decided to put the improved card counting system to the test. Over the course of several days at a Reno casino, Brown tested his luck. With $10 per box, the computer genius was rapidly going into the black and increasing his profits. Julian Brown’s success did not leave the management of the gaming establishment indifferent. The newcomer was considered an unwanted customer and asked to leave the casino. Since then Julian Brown never gambled again.

Fame and book release

The successful programmer continued to improve the card system. In the 80’s Julian Brown decided to publish his own printed manuscript dedicated to blackjack. The visual handbook was published with several purposes in mind:

• To reveal all the nuances, i.e. the bright and dark sides of the game.
• To give practical advice to experienced and novice players.
• To share one’s own experiences with others who are passionate about the activity.

The printed work did not cause much excitement among the general public. The book was of more interest to professionals in the field.

The talented programmer died in September 2003. The well known media did not write about his death. The world only found out about it a few months later. In 2005 Brown’s name was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame.

The fleeting hobby became the man’s life’s work. Brown was unwilling to use the opportunities that opened up to increase his personal profits. He sought to learn and comprehend the mysterious world of blackjack.