Mike Aponte was the leader of the MIT Card Counting Team, a group of college students that defied the odds and legally won millions by applying an ingenious spin on the mathematics of blackjack. His team’s exploits captured the public’s imagination in the bestselling book, Bringing Down The House, and the major motion picture, 21.

Mike delivers truly unique events that your guests will never forget. From meet-and-greets with personal story telling for your top clients and high performers, to interactive events where your guests will have the opportunity to play blackjack with the World Series of Blackjack champion himself. Mike will reveal the secrets and strategies that enabled the MIT Team to win millions.
 

Behind the glitz and glamour of the MIT Team’s story were key drivers that enabled them to succeed where so many have failed. Mike shares fun and exciting stories, while providing surprising insight into how the the start-up and growth of his team mirror the determinants of success in the business world. 

Instrumental to his team’s achievements were recruiting and developing top talent, strategic focus, teamwork, adapting to change, and risk management. Among the most valuable lessons Mike took away from his card counting days are the power of quantifying the right data, executing in real world conditions, and acknowledging how vulnerable we are to blind spots and biases in our decision making.