Hedge Fund Manager Wins $710,000 Playing Blackjack in Vegas
Who doesn’t dream of a hot streak like this? Michael Geismar is a Hedge Fund Manager. He’s the President of a $4.6 billion firm. Here’s what happened to him on a recent trip of his to Vegas for a conference:
He sat down at a $100 minimum, $10,000 maximum bet table … at about 10 pm. He arranged for a $10,000 marker, casino-speak for a credit line, which promptly put $10,000 worth of chips on the table for him. Geismar put down $300 and the dealer turned over the first card.
Geismar had doubled his money to about $20,000. He then started to bet larger amounts with every winning hand, first $1,000, then $2,000 or $3,000. He also scaled down his bets after one losing hand, using laws of averages but not card counting. That basic scaling strategy worked well, and Geismar got to about $200,000 early Wednesday morning. By that point he was up so much he bet $10,000 for every hand, win or lose. And he kept winning.
At the end of the night, Geismar cashed out $460,00, and was given “bricks” of $100 bills. After suffering some losses the next three times out, Geismar hit it big one again, this time “backing up” the bets of players at the table who had hot hands. Geismar won $410,000 during this stretch.
Final winnings: $710,000 over three days after starting with $10,000. A return of 7,100 percent. [AR via WSJ]

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97 Responses to “Hedge Fund Manager Wins $710,000 Playing Blackjack in Vegas”
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May 29th, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Fuck him.
May 29th, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Good for him.
May 29th, 2012 at 3:55 PM
more proof against there being a god.
May 29th, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Fuck him.
May 29th, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Well deserved.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:01 PM
I guess my 8 straight points at the craps table Sunday pales to this hot streak.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Lucky bastard
May 29th, 2012 at 4:02 PM
That’s like $35 to him.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Do it with your rent money and I will be more impressed.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
I hope the casino didn’t comp him anything
May 29th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Hey Vonnegut, fuck you!
May 29th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Of course they did. Incentive to come back and lose it.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Bullshit. This guy was counting in a well disguised practiced manner.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:09 PM
That’s like $35 to him.
Do it with your rent money and I will be more impressed.
+ as many comped drinks as you boys want. I was thinking exactly along the same lines.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:09 PM
shame on you for being successful!
May 29th, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Shuttup, time piece boy.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Maybe his wife is cheating on him?
/glass half-full
May 29th, 2012 at 4:12 PM
I was being facetious
May 29th, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Pretty sure no one said this.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Well la-dee-da mister fancy word.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Tax the rich!
May 29th, 2012 at 4:14 PM
This is what cable news has become.
/sigh…
May 29th, 2012 at 4:14 PM
tax the creamy!
May 29th, 2012 at 4:15 PM
well…they’re both right, right?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Pretty sure no one said this.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Tax fallen soldiers families!
/Chris Hayes
May 29th, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Wolf isn’t ridiculous. He’s just not good at his job. Trump on the other hand…
May 29th, 2012 at 4:17 PM
Rich the Taxidermist!
May 29th, 2012 at 4:17 PM
So Husker is the new Hall Monitor, assigned to make sure we stay on topic and only quote what is typed above?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:18 PM
That and having a junkie cook doing shows on Saturdays when they could be talking about, you know, news.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:18 PM
I was thinking it but afraid to say anything due to fear of Grover Norquist showing up to slap me
May 29th, 2012 at 4:18 PM
Nope, no one actually “said” this. But lets not kid ourselves, what with the italicized amount of money his fund manages in the original post down to the “fuck him” attitude that the others have. So the rich aren’t allowed to gamble their exponentially higher discretionary monies but the middle class can? Sounds about right for this blog.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:19 PM
i may be wrong, but isn’t that what card counting is, in effect counting the cards in play and using the law of averages to determine what might come next to strategically make your bet?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:19 PM
oh no…he’s ridiculous. his name, may i remind you, IS WOLF BLITZER.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:20 PM
no, no…they can GAMBLE. they just shouldn’t be allowed to leave nevada with any winnings, that’s all.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:20 PM
New Workaholics tonight.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:20 PM
Tax the snarky right wing conservatives!
May 29th, 2012 at 4:21 PM
and, for the record, i don’t have any problem with this at all. all i was saying was the next time a white person tells me god is all loving, i’ll ask him why he thought it was a good idea to give a rich guy even more money while, you know…famine, slavery, same old song and dance, etc.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Door’s right over there.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Well, I love me some Bourdain, so I won’t knock him. I do think it’d odd that CNN hired him to do a show, but their network is so bad that I assume at this point they’re literally doing a mad lib at headquarters trying to figure out something to do that will attract viewers.
Of course they’re allowed to. Just like we’re allowed to say we don’t give a fuck about some uber wealthy dude making what most likely amounts to 1/2 a month’s salary.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:22 PM
And I’ll tell you, God is all loving…irony.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:22 PM
I agree entirely.
Just cracks me up to see people excited for it when they’re some of the same people I see bitching about the lowest common denominator nature of television.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:23 PM
I don’t think anyone said this. I think by “fuck him” those people are just saying they hate him for having all that money, and having the opportunity to “get lucky” like he did.
/seriously though, he was counting. no one actually believes the law of averages story, right?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:24 PM
Oh boy, let’s have a great discussion on tax policy. Everyone definitely wants that.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Pretty sure no one said this.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:25 PM
They are more than welcome to. But are we supposed to suck the guys dick for risking very little and making very little? (relatively speaking)
May 29th, 2012 at 4:25 PM
God can’t be all-loving since he doesn’t even love himself…no one goes about creating a universe and beings to worship him if he’s in a good mental health place
May 29th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
TBL.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
ive been saying this. you’re just a jerk, man. a real jerk.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
It’s better than Community.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
I thought it though
May 29th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
i believe that he was the one in the “1/75,000 people who enter this casino will know how to count cards average.” so boom…law of averages.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
/loads bong
May 29th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
Did anyone read the linked article? It heavily insinuates some kind of system. At least the way I read it.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
Ah…but they did.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Now why would I leave when I can keep goading you into responding to my drivel? Plus, someone has to offer the minority opinion, so it might as well be me and a few other brave souls.
I would love to see something like this happen to someone less fortunate, but I won’t show disdain for him because it happened to be his lucky* day.
/actually made $400 bucks myself last time in Vegas
//yeah, he was probably card counting
May 29th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Did anyone read the linked article? St. Bear
You are funny.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Maybe his wife is cheating on him?
His hope, maybe?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Counting cards itself isn’t hard. It’s keeping up with the count that is hard. The concept isn’t hard at all. Those who can keep up with it amaze me, though. I always try and last maybe 3 hands…if that. The dealers in Vegas are really quick.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Are you saying that I must be crazy to have a room dedicated to ant farms?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM
well, those famine slavery same old song and dance etc idiots could have gotten that money but they would have had to go play blackjack. and they didn’t.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM
FINALLY THE WHITE MALE HAS A VOICE IN THIS COUNTRY.
Wheel of Fortune slots at five bucks a pull are where it’s at.
Also going to Olympic Gardens and requesting all Asian dancers is where it’s at to lose all the winnings from the wheel.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM
I mean, I’m almost certain he would have to be counting, but if he showed no discernible counting patterns, then good for him. That would take a shitload of restraint and skill. But you can still get a significant advantage, especially if you are hiding behind a “law of averages” excuse for varying your bet sizing.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
Pretty sure no one clicks the links.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
Plus, someone has to offer the minority opinion
Isn’t the damn near consensus opinion that nobody here begrudges the guy for winning money? Which means it is the majority decision. You can take your cape off now and relax.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
This has Rainman written all over it
May 29th, 2012 at 4:31 PM
Yeah ok.
Being a huge BJ guy myself I would say this guy was definitely counting cards.
Progressive betting systems also do not work at all especially long term.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:31 PM
/coop
May 29th, 2012 at 4:31 PM
mole – I actually made about 80% of that at the airport on nickel slots on the way back home.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Pretty sure no one said this.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:32 PM
if i wanted the minority opinion, id set up a census shop at a waterpark.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Last time in a casino, I walked in with a few hundred, and left with $700. All I’m missing is some zeros.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Well, no one’s here for the fucking stupid-ass comments.
–EIC
May 29th, 2012 at 4:32 PM
But did someone say that?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:33 PM
I didn’t pick up on that, what with all the “fuck him” comments and such.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:33 PM
Those creep me out for some reason, I have no justification for it.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:33 PM
That is card counting but scaling down after a losing hand is not card counting, that is just a type of betting pattern.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:33 PM
oh, I begrudge him. only because I’ve never left a blackjack table with more money than I arrived with though.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:34 PM
no casino is going to kick out a high roller like that, even if they think he’s counting cards.
this is good publicity for them, makes it seem like it’s easier to beat the system and win money.. also known as the average fan of “Rounders” losing everything.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:35 PM
someone most certainly did.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:36 PM
I didn’t pick up on that, what with all the “fuck him” comments and such.
Oh, I took those to be more of this…
oh, I begrudge him. only because I’ve never left a blackjack table with more money than I arrived with though.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Scaling down like this is a type of dynamic allocation that a lot of asset managers are beginning to use. It eliminates a lot of risk if you’re on the downswing, while allowing you to participate in the upswing as well.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:36 PM
I love me some blackjack.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:36 PM
This.
Casinos love to see their customers seeing other guys winning. High rollers are usually always welcome with open arms.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:37 PM
Last year went to a BlackJack table with 500 bucks and left with $1700.
Not too shabby for about 5 hours of work.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:37 PM
Thats not true. Even after I lost all my money the night after watching ‘Rounders’, I still had the Oreos I picked up at the grocery store before hand.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:37 PM
risking very little and making very little?
i don’t care who you are… losing or winning 700k is substantial.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:37 PM
EIC hardly even reads the linked articles
/draw your own conclusion
May 29th, 2012 at 4:38 PM
And shame. Don’t forget your shame.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:38 PM
ohheelyeah is Michael Geismar?
May 29th, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Last time I was in Vegas I ended up $150 in the positive thanks to being drunk and stupid and betting $100 a hand 4 or 5 times. Won the first 4, lost the 5th. I view betting as if I’m paying for entertainment. If I can keep losses low, that’s great. I always budget a certain amount and if I come back with any of that cash left I’m happy, and if I have more than I started with I’m downright giddy.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:40 PM
This is key.
You can never be afraid to walk away when you money runs dry.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Exactly. That’s why I usually make my 2nd night (of three) my big gambling night. Play it slow the first night and then go balls to the wall the 2nd. I then judge how much I’ll gamle the final night by how I did the night before. I also only go during the NCAA tourney, so that keeps me off of the tables as I’m betting and watching games.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:45 PM
i’ve found it works well to leave my debit card and credit cards in the room. if i ever find the urge to tap into them i have a long walk to think that through.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
I do the same. I always plan on coming back to my room or car empty handed too.
May 29th, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Also, getting drunk is a horrible thing to do when gambling.
Having a beverage here and there? Fine.
Getting intoxicated almost never ends well.
May 30th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
In response to the several posts suggesting that Mike was counting cards – he wasn’t.
How do I know? Well, first, I have been with Mike at blackjack tables many times. I will say this about the article – it paints a very clear picture of what that is like – a crazy drunk guy screaming, jumping in the pit, and generally having a great time. $1,000 tips? Yeah, that sounds right, though when last we gambled together he was not yet Michael Geismar – Titan of Finance, so maybe it was $25 tips.
Part of the picture that apparently is not as clear – Mike doesn’t count. I can say that with absolute certainty because I do. I have played on a team; I have supported myself playing on my own; and I have been backed off from practically every casino in the country. Mike and I have talked about it and he has even backed me once or twice. But he doesn’t do it himself. He doesn’t even play perfect basic strategy (sorry man; you know it’s true). For the record, he could do it if he wanted to – it isn’t hard and Mike is a smart guy. But he is all about drinking and having a good time – and no matter how good you are counting is going to get in the way of that.
But outside of my word as Mike’s friend and a professional blackjack player, there are some clues in the article. First, the description of his betting progression – and, yes, he does indeed play that sort of progression – is nothing like how a counter bets. That is not “what counters do.”. Mathematically, the expected value of a series of bets is the sum of the expected values, and since each EV is negative, so is the total EV. No matter what progression you use, you will ultimately lose, without some knowledge of the count. This nonsense about the “law of averages” is just that and there is no way it came from Mike. Now, it is true that counters will try to disguise their play and make it look like a progression. But Mike was there all night – it says so in the article. There is NO CHANCE you would last that long counting – whatever the camouflage. Playing those stakes, you’d be backed off in half an hour. That is the game. No professional would sit at a table in Bellagio for an hour – much less all night. Second, counters don’t throw around $1,000 tips. If you did that you would tip away all your edge. Third, counters rarely drink and are never drunk. Mike was drunk. I got a call from him that morning so I can say it absolutely for certain. You want more? Counters don’t back up other people’s bets, because if those people misplay, it destroys the edge. Counters usually don’t sign for huge markers. A 10k marker attracts unwanted casino attention and guarantees a CTR to the IRS.
This idea of the super gambler, with crazy resources and a high level of sophistication, going out and sticking it to casinos for huge dollars very publicly, is appealing but misguided. Don Johnson’s antics helped popularize it, and to an extent he sort of is that guy – though he was exploiting a much bigger leak than simple counting. But even he got hugely lucky. Count as well as you like – on a given night you are about equally likely to lose as you are to win, and if you do win big it will be because you ran hot. Only over hundreds and thousands of hours is the tiny edge turned into big bucks. I did a little calculating, and if Mike had played 20 hours on all 6 spots of a table counting perfectly and spreading 1k to 10k, maybe he could have expected to make 120k. That is probably an exaggeration. But as has been said, no one could get away with that. 720k, then, would represent a very lucky run even HAD he been counting.
And just to offer a quick non-mathematical sentiment, Mike is perfectly capable of getting that lucky. I once saw him dare a particularly serious looking dealer to bust him until she just ended up shaking her head and smiling over his insane hot streak. He leads a charmed life. One friend suggested he had made a deal with the devil. So I kind of agree with the first post – “Fuck him.”