Former Captain Of The Infamous MIT Blackjack Team Teaches You To Count Cards In The Casino

Mike Aponte is a former member of the infamous MIT Blackjack Team that took Las Vegas casinos for millions of dollars throughout the 80’s, 90’s, and early 00′. The MIT Blackjack Team was so successful in Las Vegas that their story led to the New York Times best seller Bringing Down The House, written by Ben Mezrich. Later, that book was turned into a movie, 21, starring Kevin Spacey.

In this clip above, Mike Aponte teaches you how to count cards on the sly using the same card counting system he employed while captaining one of the MIT Blackjack Teams. Back in 1994, Mike Aponte was co-captain of The Reptiles, a faction of the MIT Blackjack Team after ‘Strategic Investments’ was dissolved and the team split into two (The Reptiles and The Amphibians).

Mike Aponte’s card counting system isn’t exactly easy. He recommends the ‘Hi-Lo’ count system. In fact, it’s as complicated and complex as what you’d expect to see from a former MIT Blackjack Team member. But, if you’re serious about beating the house you can master this system with practice. Just watch this video several times, digest the information, and then start playing A SHIT TON of practice hands. It’ll take a little while, but you’ll pick up the system with practice.

Here’s a brief intro to his system:

High cards 10, J, Q, K, A have a running count value of -1 because ‘as high cards are depleted from the game, player advantage goes down’. On the flip side, cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are worth a value of +1 because as the low cards are burnt from the decks there are fewer of them in action to hurt the player. Cards 7, 8, and 9 have a neutral count value or no value at all…What does all of this mean for you as the player? You’ll have to watch the video to find out.

(video via WIRED YouTube)

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Cass Anderson is the Editor-in-Chief of BroBible. Based out of Florida, he covers an array of topics including NFL, Pop Culture, Fishing News, and the Outdoors.