Card Counting Movies

21 (2008)

21 is a film based on Ben Mezrich’s famous book ‘Bringing down the house’.  The story follows a group of MIT students who master a card counting strategy (Hi-Lo) then go to Vegas to win big.  The lead character, Ben Campbell, is a gifted student who is recruited to the university’s secret blackjack club.   Professor Micky Rosa coaches the team in various aspects of perfect strategy and card counting until they are ready to visit Vegas for the first time.

The main problem with the film of course is that it implies you have to be some kind of mathematical genius to understand card counting.  That is simply not true.  While level two and three counts are certainly more challenging, a basic hi-lo or knockout count can be learnt in a relatively short space of time.  Of course the movie is over-glamorised and over-sexed in typical Hollywood style.  It’s an entertaining film but don’t expect to learn any gambling tips.

21 Movie DVD on Amazon

Rain Man (1988)

Rain Man is the humorous story of estranged brothers Charlie and Raymond Babbit.  Charlie (played by Tom Cruise) receives news that his wealthy father has died.  After returning to Ohio for his father’s funeral he discovers that he has been left a vintage Buick in the will, but the rest of the $3million fortune has been left to his brother Raymond.  Charlie had no knowledge of his brothers existence and finds that he was institutionalised with autism.

Soon, Charlie decides to kidnap Raymond in an attempt to convince him to give a cut of the inheritance.  The two head off on a road trip in the Buick and begin to form brotherly bonds. 

The clip below is the famous casino scene.  Charlie discovers that Raymond has an amazing memory and is able to memorise cards that have already been dealt*.  After teaching Raymond the rules of blackjack the pair head to Vegas to try their luck.  The film concludes with Charlie discovering that there is more to life than money and that he really cares about his older brother.

* In standard card counting it is not necessary to memorise all cards that have been dealt in this way. Be sure to look at our card counting page for more information about counting methods.

Rain Man DVD from Amazon