Blackjack Movie Expected to Generate New Wave of Gamblers

Blackjack played properly operates on less than a percentage point in the house's favor.

Blackjack play is expected to get a bump at casinos everywhere from the new movie "21". The movie is loosely based on the famed MIT card-counting team that managed a system which returned consistent winnings. 

Casino executives are figuring to see a flood of amateurs attempting to master an extremely complex method, only to find themselves hopelessly lost and continually losing. The difficulty in correctly counting cards and adjusting strategy is such that the casinos should push the movie as great advertising, knowing that the vast majority will leave wondering how the sure thing failed them.

Although card-counting is not illegal, casinos do reserve the right to refuse play, and counters are asked to leave. Casinos also share photographs of gamblers caught counting, so they are effectively barred from playing.

Blackjack played properly operates on less than a percentage point in the house's favor, and knowing when the deck is rich, or heavy in high number cards that increase the chances of the dealer busting, can create situations in which the player has the advantage.

However, in order to use that edge when it occurs, the gambler must raise his bet significantly, and the house is closely watching for such changes in betting pattern. The MIT team was successful because they used a group of players, so that when conditions were ripe a high roller ringer could sit and play heavy without alerting security.

Still, anything the casino could lose to counters is made up a multitude of times by players who try to count but are unable to master the method. Anything that increases traffic should be welcomed by the casinos as good advertising.