Breaking Vegas (History Channel)

Breaking Vegas (History Channel)
by Bruce David Klein

Breaking Vegas (History Channel)
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DVD details

Actor: Bud Watson, Catherine Kresge, Gary Lucy (II), Joe Boyd (III), Joseph Phong Dao
Director: Bruce David Klein
Brand: A and E Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-06-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO
Product features:
  • Who wouldn't love to beat the odds? When a group of college students uses its math skills to win millions, life in the fast lane seems like a sure bet -until the casinos and the IRS catch up to them. In a real-life cross between Ocean's 11 and Revenge of the Nerds, The History Channel revisits the go-go '80s and '90s to explore this thrilling true story about a group of shy, overac

DVD Reviews of Breaking Vegas (History Channel)

DVD Review: Making a Business out of Beating Vegas!
Summary: 5 Stars

"Breaking Vegas" is an excellent business case study that includes product development, staff recruitment and rewards, and training. "Mr. M" conceives the "how to," building upon the earlier work of Ed Thorp ("Beat the Dealer") at UCLA, using his computer and statistical analyses skills to play blackjack. A partnership was formed to raise $1 million, with the net distributed 45% to Mr. M., 45% to the financial backers, and 10% to the players.

Players were recruited via fliers posted around the M.I.T. campus. Trainees first had to master card-counting in a noisy environment full of distractions, then memorize a number of rules covering when to hold, split, or take another card. Then it was on to adding another strategy - signaling to another player when the deck was favorable so he/she could join in and bet heavily. Since the "big player" always gambled heavily, and the rest only played minor amounts, it was hard for the casinos to see that (banned) card-counting was being employed.

After further refining their skills at the nearby Foxwood Resort, it was off to Las Vegas. At first the players reveled in their winnings and comps; however, eventually the casinos' detective service followed the group around the world and pieced their methods together. Other tip-offs came from players sometimes using their real addresses to sign for comps, and leaving behind a pamphlet detailing their strategies. Life then became increasingly sour for the players as they were banned from more and more casinos around the world - sometimes even encountering threats of physical violence. Disguises brought little benefit.

At that point a "perfect storm" developed - increasing harassment from casino management, decreasing player morale over the harassment and their relatively low share of the winnings, and a long run of bad luck. (One player alleged that the "bad luck" was caused by the players lacking incentive to play well.)

Thus, after less than 2 years the partnership enterprise folded, with a winnings-to-date record of close to zero. One of the original recruits then started his own team, using most of the same original approaches except for eliminating the investors - players provided their own stake. This group was successful for several years and netted about $4 years.

An interesting, sometimes even exciting, video.
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Description of Breaking Vegas (History Channel)

BREAKING VEGAS - DVD Movie
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