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How Did This Film Not Win the Oscar?


spain
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IIRC, this is based on a true story (back in the late '70s or early '80s).

 

 

 

It's from the book "Bringing Down the House" which is one of those edge of your seat 5-6 hour reads especially if you like gambling.

 

In short: MIT students learn to count cards and develop a 6 man team system to count into 2 deck blackjack tables. Counters sit at various tables making 10 dollar bets all night, then give hand signals when a deck slants in favor of players. The "Big Bettor" then sits down (without acknowledging the other players) and makes LARGE bets until the deck goes cold then leaves. The counter stays and keeps playing ante bets until the deck gets hot again, then another BB sits in.

 

This was before the electronic shufflers and when 2 deck was still common in Vegas. They'd have code words so when the Big Bettor sits in, the counter gets into a conversation with the dealer which tips off the count to the BB. If the player talks to the dealer about how many eggs he ate in an omelette that morning that means the count is +12 (eggs=dozen) for instance.

 

They cleaned up until Vegas, Now Orleans and eventually the Bahamas banned them completely. But since they claimed all their winning to the IRS they weren't touched. Good stuff, and I'm glad to see Ben Affleck is no longer a part of this project.

 

 

BTW - being an extra sucks. You're going to sit aroound bored for the better part of 11 hours, get crappy food and make it onto the set minimally. For $75. :D

Edited by Pope Flick
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