Casinos have always fed on the greed of people who don't understand statistics, but black jack is the one game that can be beaten. Basic card counting a la Rain Man won't cut it. Most people lose money, and the distinctive changes in bets draws attention from the pit bosses. But a group of MIT students figured out how to combine statistical wizardry with team work, signalling a Big Player to sweep in on a hot table and bet the bank. Kevin Lewis and his friends had a good run, raking in close to $100,000 in a weekend. But nothing lasts forever, and the most important lesson for any card counter is knowing when to walk away. Enjoyable light non-fiction of the true thriller variety, Bringing Down the House is exactly what it says on the cover.