Blackjack

From: THIS AMERICAN LIFE from WBEZ -- worth listening --

Blackjack

Originally aired 06.08.2012

Stories about the casino game everyone thinks they can beat. In one, a woman gambles away her inheritance and then sues the casino, saying they're to blame. In another, Christians join forces to take down casinos — by becoming professional card-counting blackjack players. Plus: MIT Blackjack Team member Andy Bloch teaches us to count cards.

Blackjack

Now Playing: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/play_full.php?play=466

Prologue.

Host Ira Glass and producer Robyn Semien get a blackjack lesson fromAndy Bloch, who played for the MIT blackjack team. He teaches them the basics of card-counting, the technique that gives players an advantage against the house — enough of an advantage that most casinos will ask you to leave if they catch you doing it.


Act One. Render Unto Caesar's Palace What Is Due To Caesar's Palace. Jack Hitt tells the story of the Christian card counting team featured in the documentary Holy Rollers, and why they see no contradiction in being devout Christians who spend their days in casinos. Jack is the author of the book Bunch of Amateurs 

 

 

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/play_full.php?play=466&act=1

Prologue Part Two. Ira and Robyn go to the casino to try out their newfound card counting skills

Act Two. Harrah's Today, Gone Tomorrow.

TAL producer Sarah Koenig tells the story of a woman who sued the casino where she lost her inheritance, saying that it was to blame, not her. The story was inspired by a chapter in The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg. (25 minutes)

Song: "Play your Cards Right", Common featuring Bilal

Photo: Tim

        

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/466/blackjack