The purpose of "Blackjack for Blood, " by Bryce Carlson, is to provide the reader with a comprehensive strategy for obtaining a winning edge at the game as it is commonly played in the casinos of Nevada and elsewhere, and also to entertain the reader with some sense of the glamour, excitement, and drama that are a part of the world of the professional gambler. For a Twenty-One game plan to be effective, it must address three fundamental and very different issues. First, it must show the player how to bet his money properly and how to play the hands accurately. Second, it must instruct the player on how to deal effectively with casino personnel. And third, a professional approach to the game requires the ability to deal with yourself, to maintain control under pressure and in situations loaded with stress.