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hkeze · Nov 23, 2004, 07:27 PM

has anyone read the book "Bringing Down The House" by Ben Mezrich? based on actual facts, the story is about how 6 M.I.T. students form a black jet team and beat Vegas. it sounds really interesting, and I am about to buy this book. But then I found out Hollywood made a movie out of this book featured with Kevin Spacey. Does anyone know what is the name of this movie? I tried to find but has no luck. Thanks for the help.

the_glassman · Nov 23, 2004, 07:45 PM

mdc · Nov 23, 2004, 07:56 PM

let me try explain.

there was a story doing the rounds on teh interweb a while ago about 6 m.i.t students who counted cards and worked out ways to win *big* at black jack. if i remember correctly they are all banned from those casinos, or something like that, now. i read it a long time ago.

i have no idea what the movie is called, nor that there was a movie, nor the book. no i am not a big help, i just tried to decode what you typed.

alligator · Nov 23, 2004, 08:03 PM

Haven't read it, but it sounds good. I just reserved it at my local library.

RobOnTheCape · Nov 23, 2004, 08:08 PM

There was a great interview on NPR a few months back with the guy who wrote the book. Had to be one of the best I've heard in awhile. Mentioned howeven with their smarts, codes, acting etc... it only increased their odds by a fraction, but enough so they reaped millions. I think it was a revolving thing where some would play, then graduate, move on, then new people would be inducted into the club. Asians kids were desired as major players since it would be odd to have a white 20 y.o. making huge wagers.

The writer mentioned that he went into at least one of the players apartments and saw cash laying everywhere throughout the apartment.

Forgot about the book, but now I think I'll look out for it.

effgee · Nov 23, 2004, 08:08 PM

Breaking Vegas, produced by Kevin Spacey. I don't think it's out yet, though.

hkeze · Nov 28, 2004, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by effgee:
Breaking Vegas, produced by Kevin Spacey. I don't think it's out yet, though.

No Wonder... the movie aint out yet... THX! great help. think I gotta get the book then.

wdlove · Nov 28, 2004, 04:48 PM

Sounds very interesting. They didn't really use there knowledge for something to benefit society.

fireside · Nov 28, 2004, 05:12 PM

why is counting cards bad in card games?

Agasthya · Nov 28, 2004, 05:13 PM

Breaking Vegas was on Discovery Channel in May I think.

Ω · Nov 28, 2004, 05:14 PM

OT: wdlove, is your sig correct?

"never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."

Montezuma58 · Nov 28, 2004, 05:26 PM

I saw a documentary about this earlier this summer. I can't remember which network it was on. It was the Discovery Channel, TLC or one of those type networks.

Stradlater · Nov 28, 2004, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by wdlove:
They didn't really use there knowledge for something to benefit society.

But didn't they? Didn't they?

vmpaul · Nov 28, 2004, 06:15 PM

I read the book about a year ago. Interesting read if you like to gamble. Their concept to beat the casinos was quite clever. If they were as successful as the book portrayed (and I have no reason to doubt it), you really have to hand it to them. They weren't doing anything that was technically illegal (no electronics or anything), they were just being very clever.

The only problem with a plans like theirs was having to deal with so many differing personalities to coordinate for success. That was the ultimate downfall. Still, it's one of those things where you slap your head and think, "Why didn't I think of that?. The casinos are really on the lookout for those type of coops now. Doesn't mean you still can't beat them but it's harder.

I heard a movie was coming out but I'd read the book if I were you. It's a fast read and the details of their plan is what's interesting. Movies will never capture that.

If you don't want to buy it, go to the library. It's not like it's on the bestseller lists at the moment.

Apple Pro Underwear · Nov 28, 2004, 06:19 PM

if they were smart, they would not have been banned from the casinos

they could have spread it out and earned a nice few hundred thousand per year on a few months work at many casinos in many states

vmpaul · Nov 28, 2004, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
if they were smart, they would not have been banned from the casinos

they could have spread it out and earned a nice few hundred thousand per year on a few months work at many casinos in many states

They did move around but you're dealing with greed and arrogance. Can't control that in large group of people. Especially a group of young and immature students.

Ultimately they drew too much from the same kitty without thinking of the consequences.

olePigeon · Nov 28, 2004, 06:36 PM

Discovery Channel had a great show on it (or maybe it was TLC.) That was awesome.

Eriamjh · Nov 28, 2004, 07:02 PM

Here's the casino rules:

You lose, they are happy.
You win, they are mad.

They consider using your brain to win (like thinking or having a system) cheating. If you win too much, you are kicked out.

zigzag · Nov 28, 2004, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by fireside:
why is counting cards bad in card games?

It's not inherently bad, and there's no law against it (AFAIK), but the casinos have the right to prohibit it on their own tables.

Simon X · Nov 28, 2004, 07:48 PM

This was on the BBC recently and it featured this story.

vmpaul · Nov 28, 2004, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by Simon X:
This was on the BBC recently and it featured this story.

Umm, thanks for the link. That was a nice synopsis.

Unfortunately, this link caught my eye on the side panel. I'm hoping I don't have nightmares tonight. You only have to read the first 2 paragraphs to see what i mean.

brapper · Nov 28, 2004, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by vmpaul:
Umm, thanks for the link. That was a nice synopsis.

Unfortunately, this link caught my eye on the side panel. I'm hoping I don't have nightmares tonight. You only have to read the first 2 paragraphs to see what i mean.

TubaMuffins · Nov 29, 2004, 12:55 AM

this movie?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...d&n=507846
just kidding. i remember hearing about the book. i also heard the interview on NPR. Once the house figured out how they kept winning, the students ended up changing their plan to involve 11 members and they won even more if i remember. I just added it to my Amazon wishlist though. Looks like a good one.

JohnnyAppleseed · Nov 29, 2004, 01:52 AM

Originally posted by the_glassman:

Hmmm...I understood him perfectly. And I'm as dumb as a fence post. I do hope you recover soon from whatever has caused this lack of cognitive function.

shabbasuraj · Nov 29, 2004, 01:55 AM

One of the memers started this website.

http://blackjackscience.com/about.html

Simon X · Nov 29, 2004, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by vmpaul:
Umm, thanks for the link. That was a nice synopsis.

Unfortunately, this link caught my eye on the side panel. I'm hoping I don't have nightmares tonight. You only have to read the first 2 paragraphs to see what i mean.

Saw that one too. Shocking and very sad.

tooki · Nov 29, 2004, 01:38 PM

http://imdb.com/title/tt0402075/combined

tooki

Montezuma58 · Dec 5, 2004, 06:08 PM

The National Geographic Channel will show a documentary about the black jack team tonight (12/5) at 9 PM Eastern time.

the_glassman · Dec 6, 2004, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by JohnnyAppleseed:
Hmmm...I understood him perfectly. And I'm as dumb as a fence post. I do hope you recover soon from whatever has caused this lack of cognitive function.

Do you want a cookie? It was a joke for a post that I thought was poorly worded.

Super Nova · Dec 7, 2004, 10:48 AM

i actually enjoyed that pic. it was amusing.....

SuperNova

scaught · Dec 7, 2004, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by wdlove:
Sounds very interesting. They didn't really use there knowledge for something to benefit society.

attempting to bring down a casino wouldnt benefit society?

Simon X · Dec 7, 2004, 11:33 AM

Now they're using lasers. http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/...ap1696522.html

Super Nova · Dec 7, 2004, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by the_glassman:
Do you want a cookie? It was a joke for a post that I thought was poorly worded.

If he doesn't want the cookie, I'll take it.....

SuperNova

alligator · Dec 21, 2004, 08:03 PM

I got the book from my local library and just read it. Very good book, and easy to pick up and put down without losing the story. I'd recommend it.