Mike Aponte was one of the leaders of the MIT Card Counting Team, a group of college students that defied the odds and legally won millions at the game of 21. Applying an ingenious spin on the mathematics of blackjack, the MIT Team turned 21 into a lucrative business venture that took Vegas by storm. Their exploits captured the public’s imagination in the bestselling book Bringing Down The House and the major motion picture 21.

Several years after Mike retired, he hit the blackjack tables again in several televised blackjack tournaments, including the World Series of Blackjack and the Ultimate Blackjack Tour and won the first ever World Series of Blackjack Championship. When his playing days ended, he got involved in the non-profit sector as a volunteer, tutoring and mentoring high school students in math and SAT preparation. Mike quickly discovered that he loved teaching as much as he did blackjack and started an after school program with the mission of helping young people achieve higher education. Combining two of his passions, Mike now offers his card counting knowledge and blackjack expertise through a number of instructional offerings and guest lectures at universities and corporate events.