event-request-confirmation
Thank you! Your request has been received and I’ll be in touch within 1 business day—usually faster—to explore how we can help you put on an amazing event. Need to connect sooner? Call or text (310) 746-3825 Mike Aponte
-
-
Blackjack Tournaments
I’ve been contacted by many people about what the best strategies are for tournament blackjack. Blackjack tournaments can serve as an effective means for casinos to entice players to their properties, namely their premium players. Tournament blackjack is a version of 21 that radically changes the objective of the game. Blackjack in it’s traditional form…
-
Wicked Learning Environments
The concept of “Kind” vs “Wicked” learning environments was studied and penned by cognitive psychologist Robin Hogarth. A kind learning environment is a domain that provides regular and accurate feedback as to which decisions or actions will result in positive outcomes. Video games, golf and chess are good examples of kind learning environments – players…
-
What it takes to become a card counter – Part 1
One of the questions I’m often asked – “What is the most important trait in becoming a professional card counter?” The first thing that jumps to mind for most people is genius mathematical ability. Being good at math is a plus, but the math involved in card counting is simple, middle school arithmetic. We’re not…
-
Poker Collusion in Deadwood?
Deadwood South Dakota has a storied history – an illegally founded town whose economy was built on gold mining and bolstered by prostitution and gambling. Several weeks ago I meet with the South Dakota Gaming Commission regarding claims that a small group of players have brought back the unlawful gambling days of Deadwood by unfairly…
-
Gaming Jeopardy!
In winning his first four games on Jeopardy, Arthur Chu has caused a stir among fans of the television show. Chu has employed a number of game strategies that have annoyed and even enraged some of the show’s followers. 1) Hunting for Daily Doubles – Instead of moving progressively down a category of questions from top…
-
The MIT Lottery Team
Americans spent $58 billion dollars on lottery tickets in 2011 in hopes of defying the odds and striking it rich. The tremendous popularity of the lottery despite it’s horrific return on investment has led some to cynically label the lottery as a stupidity tax. However, a group of MIT students figured out how to turn…
-
The Truth About Continuous Shuffle Machines & Card Counting
I get asked fairly often about continuous shuffle machines (CSM’s) and their effect on the game of blackjack. With CSM’s, no discard tray is needed because the dealer continuously places the played cards into the shuffle machine (for example, after a player busts a hand). This provides a constant randomization of the cards which negates…
-
Def Con & Card Counting: Hacking Las Vegas
Last week I attended Def Con, the world’s largest computer hacker convention which is held annually in Las Vegas. It was the first time I have attended the convention and it was quite a scene. Well over 10,000 people attended Def Con 20, including computer security specialists, hardware hackers, law enforcement, cyber criminals and those…
-
Trend Following and Card Counting
Last week I met with Michael Covel, author and president of Trend Following, a privately owned firm specializing in trend trading research. Michael recorded our lunch meeting as he interviewed me about my experiences with the MIT Blackjack Team. We were both struck by the similarities and connections between trend trading and card counting. Expected return, risk…
