Peter Griffin

Childhood

Born in New Jersey, Peter Griffin grew up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon. His grandfather, Frank Loxley Griffin, was a mathematician at Reed College and authored several mathematics textbooks, which may have influenced Peter’s analytical mind. His father worked as an actuary before leading a labor/management consulting firm in Chicago.

Career

Griffin earned a master’s degree from the University of California at Davis and became a professor at California State University-Sacramento in 1965. He taught statistics, calculus, and differential equations until he died in 1998. Despite his gambling expertise, teaching remained his primary passion.

Blackjack & Gambling Contributions

Griffin’s first encounter with blackjack came in 1970 when he proposed a course on the mathematics of gambling. After initial losses in Nevada casinos, he studied the game mathematically.

His research led to groundbreaking insights, including:

Calculating the average player’s disadvantage at 2% in blackjack.

Developing statistical comparisons between Atlantic City and Las Vegas blackjack players.

Writing The Theory of Blackjack (1979), a seminal work that remains a cornerstone of blackjack strategy.

One of his most notable contributions was identifying hidden advantages in fundamental strategy deviations, which some players exploited to win hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Revenue

While Griffin himself was primarily an academic, his work indirectly generated millions for professional gamblers who applied his strategies. His books continue to sell, contributing to the blackjack advantage-play community.

Interesting facts

• Griffin and Anthony Curtis (publisher of Las Vegas Advisor) coined the term "Couponomy"—extracting value via casino coupons.
• Despite his expertise, Griffin was not a full-time gambler; he preferred teaching.
• He was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame posthumously.
  

Legacy

Peter Griffin’s mathematical approach to blackjack set the foundation for modern card counting and advantage play. His books remain essential for serious players, and his research continues to influence gambling strategy today.