466: Blackjack

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for 466: Blackjack on This American Life.

Books mentioned

The Power of Habit How to Change The 21st Century Card Counter

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466: Blackjack mentions The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, How to Change by Katie Milkman, and The 21st Century Card Counter with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

The Power of Habit How to Change The 21st Century Card Counter

3 books from this episode

The Power of Habit

Charles Duhigg

Duhigg's book is about how habits form in our brains and how companies tap into those habits to get us to spend money.

How to Change

Katie Milkman

Referenced as the bestselling book by the host of the podcast Choiceology.

The 21st Century Card Counter

Colin went on to write one of the most popular books out there on blackjack. It's called The 21st Century Card Counter.

Episode summary

The casino game everyone thinks they can beat. Prologue: Host Ira Glass and producer Robyn Semien get a blackjack lesson from Andy Bloch, who played for the MIT blackjack team. He teaches them the basics of card-counting, the technique that gives players an advantage against the house — enough of an advantage that most casinos will ask you to leave if they catch you doing it. (9 minutes) Act One: Jack Hitt tells the story of the Christian card-counting team featured in the documentary Holy Rollers, and why they see no contradiction in being devout Christians who spend their days in casinos. (18 minutes) Act 2: Ira and Robyn go to the casino to try out their newfound card-counting skills. (5 minutes) Act Two: Producer Sarah Koenig tells the story of a woman who sued the casino where she lost her inheritance, saying that it was to blame, not her. (25 minutes)

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The Power of Habit

Charles Duhigg

Duhigg's book is about how habits form in our brains and how companies tap into those habits to get us to spend money.

Card

How to Change

Katie Milkman

Referenced as the bestselling book by the host of the podcast Choiceology.

Card

The 21st Century Card Counter

Colin went on to write one of the most popular books out there on blackjack. It's called The 21st Century Card Counte…

Card

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Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for 466: Blackjack on This American Life.

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Referenced books include The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and How to Change by Katie Milkman.
The casino game everyone thinks they can beat. Prologue: Host Ira Glass and producer Robyn Semien get a blackjack lesson from Andy Bloch, who played for the MIT blackjac…

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