Tommy Hyland

Tommy Hyland discovered blackjack in the late 1970s and quickly recognized both its profit potential and its challenges. Unlike players who worked solo or formed short-lived teams, Hyland approached blackjack as a long-term business opportunity. His background gave him the organizational skills necessary to manage a complex, multi-player operation over many years.

In 1979, Hyland formed his blackjack team, which would become the longest-running professional gambling team in history. Through careful bankroll management, rigorous player selection, and continuous adaptation to casino countermeasures, his team has operated continuously for over four decades. The team has survived countless casino bans, legal challenges, and industry changes.

Hyland's team uses sophisticated techniques including shuffle tracking, ace sequencing, and traditional card counting. Unlike high-profile teams that attracted attention, Hyland maintained strict operational security. Players were carefully vetted and trained. The team developed detailed intelligence on casino conditions worldwide, allowing them to identify the most profitable opportunities.

In 1994, Hyland won a landmark legal case in Atlantic City when his team was arrested for shuffle tracking. The court ruled that using one's intellect to beat casino games was not illegal, establishing crucial legal precedent. This victory protected advantage players' rights and clarified that skill-based play was not cheating.

Tommy Hyland's four-decade team demonstrates that professional blackjack is sustainable as a career when approached with discipline and proper management. His low-profile approach contrasts with flashier teams that burned out quickly. He was inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame in 2002, recognized for both his playing success and his contributions to players' legal rights.