Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions

Casinos have always fed on the greed of people who don’t understand statistics, but black jack is the one game that can be beaten. Basic card counting a la Rain Man won’t cut it. Most people lose money, and the distinctive changes in bets draw attention from the pit bosses. But a group of MIT students figured out how to combine statistical wizardry with team work, signalling a Big Player to sweep in on a hot table and bet the bank. Kevin Lewis and his friends had a good run, raking in close to $100,000 in a weekend. But nothing lasts forever, and the most important lesson for any card counter is knowing when to walk away. Enjoyable light non-fiction of the true thriller variety, Bringing Down the House is exactly what it says on the cover.