Beginning in the late 1970s, a small band of mathematically minded gamblers, among them Bill Benter, Bill Nelson, and Rob Reitzen, set out to do what most people believe is impossible: beat the house. Armed with homemade computers, statistical models, and endless patience, these “advantage players” took on casinos, racetracks, and bookmakers in Las Vegas and around the world. It was a dangerous game, played in an era when the Mob still loomed over the casino floor. Their story is a fascinating chapter in the history of both gambling and technology.
My guest is Kit Chellel, author of Lucky Devils: The True Story of Three Rebel Gamblers Who Beat the Odds and Changed the Game. He joins us to talk about these men and the high-stakes world they navigated.
The author’s publisher page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Kit-Chellel/225568839
The author on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kit-chellel-17508212
The author on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchellelwriter/
The author on Twitter/X: https://x.com/KitChellel