Normally I reserve low expectations for a book subtitled “Bringing Down the House.” In tell-all type language, 21 by Ben Mezrich reveals how a group of MIT students form a card counting team to win big at the blackjack tables. The book focuses on one member as he moves from novice to top player to fallen from glory. Interspersed among the main chapters are interviews with a security expert, casino host, stripper, and fellow team members.
Their method is fascinating. It works this way. A spotter will sit at a table and place unobtrusive bets while counting the cards in play. When the count is favorable, they will signal for a teammate to come over who will place higher bets. I won’t go into it here, but the explanation of their counting technique is simple to follow but would be impossible (for us memory-challenged folk) to execute.
If you can ignore the fact the book was probably written in the hopes of turning it into the “high-concept, cinematic thriller” the author alludes to, you’re in for a fast, interesting read. Although I haven’t seen the movie version yet, I suspect it inspires some people to want go to Vegas. But after reading the descriptions of ratty gym bags filled with chips, bundles of cash strapped to hairy legs, spilled drinks, and smoky casinos, I only wanted to go wash my hair.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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2 comments:
I read this book. It was really good. The movie was decent but in my opinion it got away from one of the coolest themes of the novel; that is, these people were complete nerds, and they were taking to the casinos. In the movie, everyone is too beautiful to believe that they really attended MIT and were more interested in memorizing formulas than partying.
Good to know the book was better than the movie. I liked that underdog aspect of it as well.
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