Blackjack - It's beatable

Bringing down the House by Ben Mezrich was loosely based on the real life story of Jeff Ma, an MIT graduate who used his exceptional skills in math and superb memory to counting cards at Vegas. From a committed geek to both studies and a girlfriend he soon began introducing himself under multiple aliases, travelling in limousines, dining at posh restaurants and soon enough earning thousands of dollars in just a single weekend.

How did the change of events occur? Kevin Lewis, the main character in the book was recruited into the MIT blackjack club which flew to Vegas during the weekends to count cards. What started as a hobby soon got his utmost attention. The best bit about this whole book is the explanation of card counting, the description of Vegas and the varying personalities that visit the gambling paradise. Descriptions were kept simple and were definitely vivid.

I was impressed by the system the MIT team used to count cards and not get caught. They had a team 5 to 10 people who took turns in playing the roles of Spotters, Gorillas and Big Players. The Spotters were the ones who bet minimums at blackjack tables and later signal the Big Players to come over and join in. These Big Players are informed of the current count and they continue from then on betting with larger amounts. All these transfer of information from one to another was done discreetly. The Gorillas however, are to act like spoilt rich kids roaming in the casinos blowing up their parents’ cash. They do not perform any counting but rather just bet according to what the spotters signal them to. The role of the Gorillas is usually for the newcomer.

The methods used were simple, it involved simple math, the signals they used to get each other’s attention many not have been entirely under the covers but come on, they fooled the casino’s security system from 1995 till 1998! And that is pure awesomeness if you ask me!

I initially watched the movie 21 which was an adaptation of this book. However, the movie did not closely follow the book but still managed to recreate the ambience and Jeff Ma’s characters to a great deal. One can choose to either read the book first or watch the movie first. My recommendation would be to read the book first, since they explain the way Blackjack is played and how the MIT team played it scoring thousands at a single hand. That would help one when seeing Jim Sturgess in 21 performing mental counts while playing Blackjack and the training he goes through before he hits Vegas.

Card Counting as described by the movie and the book proves interesting and risky. There are still a number of card counters who are lurking around casinos. They are winning legally so casinos cannot charge them, however, can still ban them from visiting the casinos again. Casinos gotta get used to being good losers I suppose :p.

I have been heavily influenced by the whole card counting idea, I’ve actually resorted to purchasing a deck of poker cards for thy self and trying to master the basics. :D

Macau…Here I come.