In case you are in the mood for a light-hearted, feel-good casino movie with a few blackjack games thrown in, then the movie 21 will be the perfect fit for you. Ben Campbell (played by Jim Sturgess) is a brilliant student at MIT who is recruited by a group of his peers to play blackjack with their group. As a result, the plot follows Ben’s journey from one opportunity to another.
This group of friends can beat the casinos at their own game with the help of a math professor (played by Kevin Spacey), making hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process as a result. However, as can be expected, things eventually start to unravel, leading up to a suspenseful finale that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats right to the very end.
The Story of the MIT Blackjack Team
Blackjack Team members from MIT broke the banks at casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City using card counting and other strategies. Eventually, they were forced to resort to increasingly elaborate measures due to their success.
A shy math student, Ben Campbell (Sturgess), asks his professor, Micky Rosa (Spacey), for help counting cards. Under Rosa’s guidance and with the help of his team of card counters, Ben becomes an expert at the game.
However, Ben’s success also increases his risk. Eventually, casino security takes notice, and the team is faced with some of the best minds in the industry. The storyline of 21 is captivating from start to finish, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a movie that’s packed with suspense, excitement, and surprises.
While the MIT Blackjack Team has ceased operations, certain professional gamblers still attempt to gain an edge over casinos through card counting, even with online blackjack. You can find out how to count cards in blackjack in depth but to put it simply the concept of “counting cards” is merely keeping a record of which cards the dealer burns through. As long as you keep that tally, you’ll know approximately which cards you and the dealer will get the next time around. You can use that information to determine whether you should bet big or small. The odds of winning are improved by around 1 percent if you count cards correctly. Again, while that might not sound like a lot, over many hours and even more hands of cards, you can expect to come out ahead.
Reception
Film director Robert Luketic said about the film’s inspiration, “Generally, books like Bringing Down the House don’t make it to the screen because they are about intellectualism.”. Most people are not interested in watching a two-hour-long film about blackjack.
Production costs for 21 were $35 million, and it was produced by Dana Brunetti and Kevin Spacey. It debuted at number two behind Drillbit Taylor at the domestic box office. Aside from being a box office hit, it grossed over $150 million worldwide.
The film is a highly entertaining fact-based story that’s sure to delight audiences of all ages. It is a great example of how positive thinking can transform your life. The main character, Ben Campbell, turns the tables on the casinos by using his positive attitude and savvy. Also, the movie shows that with a little work and determination, anything can be turned around, no matter how bad it seems. Blackjack is a great game that shows you that with good skills and sometimes a little bit of luck you can come out as a winner.
For those looking for a feel-good film that inspires them to never give up, 21 is a perfect choice.