21: Bringing Down the House (Book Review)

21: Bringing Down the House was wrote by Ben Mezrich. I chose this book because I saw the movie 21. The movie was wrote from the book. I really liked the movie because it showed the ups and down of gambling and a hint of how to card count. Also I picked this book because I like blackjack and someday when I turn twenty one I would like to go to Vegas and win a bunch.. I think it is interesting how people are smart enough to count card and they make enough to where they don't have to have a job. Also I wanted to read about card counting. Many times the book says its not illegal because you don't alter or change the game at all.

The book starts out when Kevin Lewis is chosen by two of his M.I.T. dropout friends (Martinez and Fisher) to take part in a card counting team. He is introduced to Micky Rosa, the soul of the team. Micky, Fisher and Martinez teach him to card count, the language, and the signs. Once they think he is ready they start him off as a spotter. A spotter is a guy who finds a hot deck and tells the BP (Big Player) when to come in. Kevin moves his way up to Big player very quickly. Now him and his teammates are living the great life in V.I.P. suites for free in Vegas each weekend. Soon enough they decide to expand and invite three more players. Things continue to go well until the team decides they don't need Micky Rosa's investment anymore because he was taking to much profit. They tell him they don't want him anymore and deep down he is mad but he doesn't show it. The team begins to play without him and they are doing better then ever until they start getting kicked out of every casino they walk into with in fifteen minutes. Someone from M.I.T. has ratted out the team and now they are in everybody's system as card counters. They try new casinos and still get busted. It never really tells who ratted on them but I have an idea but I will not spoil it for you!

I thought this book was amazing. In times it had so much suspense I couldn't even set it down. I'm really interested in card counting, it sounds like quite an adventure. Plus I like to gamble when I can, and am looking forward to the casinos when I hit of age. I like the way he described Vegas, it sounds like a very fun place to be. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a high roller and get V.I.P. suites and basically anything I want. On the downside I think it would be very scary to be kicked out of a casino. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes blackjack, Vegas, card counting, or just playing cards. This really is a great book.