Inside the Game: The Story & Strategy of the MIT Blackjack Team

Have you ever wondered why casinos crack down on card-counting? Before the formation of the MIT blackjack team, comprising students and graduates from various top US colleges, dealers didn’t feverishly reshuffle decks during play. Yet once their journey of intellect, risk, and high stakes began, casino gaming changed forever.

Article Contents

• Origins and Formation of the MIT Blackjack Team
• Recruitment and Training
• Strategy and Techniques
• Team’s Evolution and Success
• Adversities and the End of the MIT Blackjack Team
• Legacy and Impact
• Conclusion

Origins and Formation of the MIT Blackjack Team

The story of the MIT Blackjack Team movie and the real group begins in the early 1980s.^[1] Inspired by the mathematical challenge and potential financial reward, a group of students and former students from MIT, Harvard, and other prestigious universities came together to apply their mathematical prowess to the game of blackjack.

Central to the team’s formation was J.P. Massar, also known as ‘Mr. M’, who first started playing in 1979. Bill Kaplan, a Harvard MBA graduate who had run a successful blackjack team in Las Vegas, joined forces with Massar. John Chang, an MIT graduate, also played a significant role as a player and later as a manager.

The team’s methodology was influenced heavily by Edward O. Thorp’s groundbreaking book, “Beat the Dealer.” Thorp’s strategies on card counting and his mathematical approach to the game laid the groundwork for the team’s techniques. His book provided a theoretical foundation and inspired a generation of blackjack players to approach the game with a more analytical mindset.

Recruitment and Training

Recruitment for the real MIT blackjack team was primarily conducted on college campuses. Flyers and word of mouth brought in numerous interested candidates, each rigorously vetted for their mathematical skills and composure under pressure. However, in the end, only a few students showed the potential to become excellent at blackjack:

• J.P. Massar (‘Mr. M’): Often considered the founding member, he was instrumental in the team’s formation and its initial strategies.
• Bill Kaplan: With his successful track record in Vegas, Kaplan was pivotal in structuring the team and enhancing its card counting systems.
• John Chang: A major player and later a manager, Chang was a driving force behind the team’s operations and strategies.
• Jeff Ma: An inspiration for the main character in the movie ’21’.
• Mike Aponte: Renowned as one of the greatest blackjack players and a key team member.
• Jane Willis: A top player who later became a successful attorney.

The training regimen was just as intense as the recruitment process. New MIT blackjack team members were required to play numerous simulated games, memorizing complex card counting strategies and perfecting their skills in mock casino conditions. This rigorous preparation ensured that each student could perform under the high-pressure environment of actual casino play with precision and confidence.

Strategy and Techniques

The MIT blackjack team strategy was based on card counting, a method of tracking the high and low cards in a deck to gain an advantage over the casino. Their success hinged on a team-based approach, combining the efforts of several roles.^[2] If you would like to create your own blackjack team, these would be the five positions you would have to fill:

Team’s Evolution and Success

The 1980s marked the golden era for the MIT Blackjack Team. They honed their skills and strategies, resulting in substantial financial gains. This period saw the team evolve from a small group of enthusiastic students to a highly organized and profitable enterprise recognized for its discipline and mathematical approach to the game.

Timeline of the key events:

• 1980: Formation of the first team.
• 1982: Kaplan’s management leads to significant profit increases.
• 1984: Team reaches a peak of 35 members.
• 1989: Strategic Investments is formed, raising over $1 million.^[3]

Their financial strategy was as calculated as their play. Investments from external sources and rigorous money management ensured consistent growth and minimized risks. The team’s financial intelligence not only maximized their blackjack winnings but also provided stability, allowing them to operate efficiently for over a decade.

Adversities and the End of the MIT Blackjack Team

The team faced considerable challenges, particularly from casinos that began implementing countermeasures against card counting. This included frequent shuffling of decks and increased scrutiny of players. Legal issues also arose as team members were increasingly barred from gambling venues. By the early 1990s, the pressure from casinos and internal strains led to the team’s dissolution.

Legacy and Impact

The MIT blackjack team’s legacy is significant, influencing both casino practices and popular culture. Their sophisticated strategies and remarkable success forced casinos to alter their blackjack rules and implement new measures to counter card counting. Additionally, their story captivated the public and inspired numerous books, films, and documentaries.

Conclusion

The real MIT blackjack team’s journey is a testament to the intricate balance between skill, strategy, and risk. Their story goes beyond mere financial success; it exemplifies the power of intellect in turning the odds in one’s favor. Yet, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences and challenges in the high-stakes world of casino gambling.

References

1. Ivanis, M., (November 18, 2022), How MIT Students Broke the Casino System, The Viking Times, Retrieved January 26, 2024.
2. Rotsztein, B., (March 17, 2003), The MIT Blackjack Team, Citynet Magazine, Retrieved January 26, 2024.
3. Stackpole, T., (June 21, 2019), We Asked a Founder of the MIT Blackjack Team How to Get Rich Beating Casinos, Boston Magazine, Retrieved January 26, 2024.