Americana: Catch-21

Kenneth Uston resigned as a $42,500-a-year senior vice president of the Pacific Stock Exchange four years ago to become a professional blackjack player. He is good. Too good for the casinos to handle. Uston is known as a “counter,” because he can keep track of the cards so well that he can determine if those remaining will tip the odds in his favor.

Last week the Resorts International casino in Atlantic City followed the precedent of Las Vegas gaming houses and decided to deal Uston, and at least ten other known counters, out of the game. The casino had cause for alarm: Uston was winning at the rate of $700 an hour and had accumulated $43,000 in chips in about 60 hours of playing when he was informed of the ban. Undaunted, Uston plans to file a complaint with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. He also may continue to place a few chips on the sly: “Maybe I’ll try my Dr. Wasserman disguise,” he said, holding up a gray wig. “That’s the one where I wear thick glasses and a Brooks Brothers suit with a Shriners pin on it.” It fools everybody—until he starts raking in those chips again.