Two members of the notorious MIT blackjack team, famous for making millions of dollars and for being the inspiration behind the movie "21" and bestseller "Bringing down the House", have announced a series of seminars in where anyone can learn card counting strategies and other vital blackjack information. Michael Aponte and David Irvine will impart the so called “Blackjack Institute” seminars. Aponte is a famous member of the Team and first World Series of Blackjack champion and founded the Institute with his fellow mate in 2004.

"The next few months could be very dangerous for amateur or half-hearted blackjack players. A lot of people who have seen '21' or read 'Bringing down the House' are going to try their hand at card counting. That's fine, but don't try to count cards after reading blackjack books on a flight to Las Vegas or Atlantic City.  That's a sure path to financial disaster.  In the long run these players will end up hating themselves, but the casinos will love them." said Aponte.

These rigorous one-day sessions center on themes such as general blackjack strategy, card counting, deck estimation, betting strategy, money management and game selection.  Besides, the students will receive efficient training exercises to help the development of certain skills, as well as a quick lesson about the troubles and adventures they experienced with the MIT blackjack team.

"Our MIT team had a good run, winning around $10 million during our playing days. A lot of our success was the result of training materials and methods developed over time, and taught to new students joining the team.  Mike and I have made these instructional methods and techniques the backbone of the Blackjack Institute program." Irvine said. 

The scheduled for the 2008 seminars is:

• Las Vegas, NV - April 19^th

• Los Angeles, CA - April 26^th

• New York, NY - May 3^rd

• Miami, FL - June 14^th