MIT Blackjack

For those of you that are familiar with the MIT Blackjack story (IE Bringing Down the House),

do you think that such team play is possible/doable by your group of average joes? Has anyone tried it? A few of my friends and I are trying to get into it.

THanks!

[joshman1204]

10 or more years ago ... maybe

in 2005 .... nope

Why? Just because it is easy to catch?

We would not be doing it at vegas....only at these small indian casinos.

If you're reasonably clever, you can learn to count. You don't have to go to MIT for that.

The casinos (even the little Indian ones) know about this trick. In fact, it might be harder to pull off there because a high roller would stand out so much. You think they won't notice somebody switching between $10 minimum tables and betting $500 at a time? Especially if they're winning?

But, whatever, it's not illegal, and you might make a little money before the big roller gets backed off. Just come back with a trip report.

[Pinlifter]

Well before you get to far into this, I would make sure all the little indian casinos in your area allow midshoe entry.

Pinlifter

yeah that was the first reason we though it could be done, midshoe entry is allowed.

Yeah I got counting down pretty good (obviously I will practice a ton before actually trying any of this).

So the casinos (Indian) are aware of this type of team play? They would notice myself sitting at a table counting, signaling to someone on the floor to come to the hot deck, and them betting very large while I still put minimum 10$ bets in?

[CORed]

Spotter/Big Player tactics have been around at least since Ken Uston's days (1970's). If your big player is the only person in the casino betting at that level, he will be noticed pretty quickly. Actually, the biggest advantage to team play is pooled bankroll and the ability to get more hands in in a short time. This improves the chance that variance won't break you before your (very small) longterm edge kicks in. The cover (if any) that using spotters and big players provides is, at best, a side benefit.

The first question you should answer before you try anything is whether the rules and penetration are such that the game is even worth playing. If two decks or more are cut off or the rules are particularly bad (H17, double down restrictions, no Double after splt, etc.), the game is probably not worth it. You may still have a theoretical +EV with a big enough spread, or back count, but your edge will be so small relative to variace as to make the real-world profit not worth the time or risk.

[craig r]

[ QUOTE ]
For those of you that are familiar with the MIT Blackjack story (IE Bringing Down the House),

do you think that such team play is possible/doable by your group of average joes? Has anyone tried it? A few of my friends and I are trying to get into it.

THanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

How much are you all pooling together? I think for the variance and time you will spend learning this, you will need quite a bit of money. Also, every person on the team has to be able to count PERFECT. And I feel that at Indian Casinos, also, that you won't get deep enough penetration. What part of the country are you doing this in?

I do agree with one of the posters. Don't do it like the MIT guys. I think every person should count and vary their bets. The casinos aren't stupid. And I think they would catch on to the "big bettor" pretty quickly. But, if you are all at different tables and never show your faces together I think you will find it to be a little easier (though you will eventually get caught). I personally think there is more money and less risk betting on sports. Your ROI will be higher. Even if you buy your picks from www.sharpsportsbetting.com and line shop like crazy, I think you and your friends would make a lot more money. Just my 2 cents.

craig

We should have between 1.5-2k between 4 players. We are playing in Indian Casinos in Califronia.

You think that they will catch on to the team play faster than the individual? And how long do you think it will take to catch on?

And yes, we realize that we have to be perfect. We practice together and on our own.