Edward O. Thorp is a legendary figure not just in gambling but in finance. His groundbreaking book Beat the Dealer (1962) mathematically proved that blackjack could be beaten using card counting — revolutionizing the game forever. Thorp later applied his mathematical genius to hedge funds, becoming a pioneer in quantitative finance. His story has inspired generations of players, mathematicians, and investors. Even decades after his first publications, Thorp remains an icon of disciplined, math-driven gambling strategy.