Who Started the MIT Blackjack Team?

The MIT Blackjack Team is a legendary group of students and alumni from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who made millions of dollars playing blackjack in casinos around the world. The team is famous for their use of advanced strategies and techniques to beat the house and win big.

But who started the MIT Blackjack Team? The answer is not as simple as it may seem.

There are several versions of the story, each with its own set of characters and events. However, most accounts agree that the team was originally founded in the 1970s by a group of students led by J.P. Massar, also known as “Mr. M.”

Massar was a graduate student at MIT studying computer science when he became interested in blackjack and began playing regularly at local casinos. He quickly realized that he could use his mathematical skills to gain an edge over the house, and started recruiting other students to join him.

One of Massar’s recruits was Bill Kaplan, another MIT student who had already made a name for himself in the world of blackjack. Kaplan had developed his own card-counting system and had been playing professionally for several years before joining forces with Massar.

Together, Massar and Kaplan began recruiting more students from MIT to join their team. They were looking for talented individuals with strong analytical skills who could learn their advanced strategies quickly and work well under pressure.

Over time, the team grew in size and reputation. They developed new techniques for counting cards, communicating with each other during games, and managing their bankrolls to minimize risk.

The MIT Blackjack Team quickly became one of the most successful gambling groups in history, winning millions of dollars over several decades. They inspired countless imitators and even inspired a book (“Bringing Down The House”) which later became a hit movie (“21”).

Today, many members of the original MIT Blackjack Team have gone on to successful careers in finance, law, or other fields. However, their legacy lives on in the world of gambling and beyond.

In conclusion, the story of who started the MIT Blackjack Team is a fascinating one that involves a group of brilliant students, a passion for gambling, and some truly innovative strategies. Despite its controversial nature, the team’s legacy has had a lasting impact on the world of gambling and has inspired countless others to try their luck at beating the house.