466: Blackjack

About this episode

This episode explores the game of blackjack, featuring lessons on card-counting and stories of players who navigate the casino world.

The casino game everyone thinks they can beat. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Host Ira Glass and producer Robyn Semien get a blackjack lesson from Andy Bloch, who played for the MIT blackjack team. He teaches them the basics of card-counting, the technique that gives players an advantage against the house — enough of an advantage that most casinos will ask you to leave if they catch you doing it. (9 minutes) Act One: Jack Hitt tells the story of the Christian card-counting team featured in the documentary Holy Rollers, and why they see no contradiction in being devout Christians who spend their days in casinos. (18 minutes) Act 2: Ira and Robyn go to the casino to try out their newfound card-counting skills. (5 minutes) Act Two: Producer Sarah Koenig tells the story of a woman who sued the casino where she lost her inheritance, saying that it was to blame, not her. (25 minutes) Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org This American Life privacy policy. Learn more about sponsor message choices.

People in this episode

Hosts: Ira Glass, Robyn Semien

Guest: Andy Bloch

Topics covered

• blackjack
• card-counting
• casinos
• gambling
• Christianity
• inheritance
• advantage play

Keywords

• blackjack
• card-counting
• casinos
• gambling
• Christian card-counting
• inheritance lawsuit
• MIT blackjack team

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Holy Rollers

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