Entertainment Program
Title: "The Inside Story of the MIT Blackjack Team"
I will describe my experiences as part of one of the most notorious teams of gamblers ever, and how it took the resources of multi-billion dollar casinos to finally stop the onslaught…but not until we had already pocketed $10,000,000 in winnings! I will demonstrate for your audience the perfectly legal strategies I used, and will tell first-hand stories of the double life I led as a normal college student during the week and a high-stakes gambler on the weekend, the cat and mouse game I played with casinos, the aliases and disguises I used to camouflage my play, the amazing perks that come with being a high roller, and the incredible lengths the casinos would go to in order to track me down and throw me out.
Business Program
Title: "From the Blackjack Table to the Boardroom"
Behind the amazing success of the MIT Blackjack Team were fundamental business principles that companies strive to master such as developing a sound business model and strategic approach, adapting to change, focusing on core competencies, managing risk, and working as a team. The strategy the MIT Blackjack Team used was invented in the early 1960’s, so how were we able to be so successful with the same strategy almost 40 years later? I will describe how we thrived for almost a decade against overwhelming odds by applying sound business principles to a game of chance, which allowed us to stay one step ahead of the casino countermeasures at all times.
An honored guest at the Bellagio. How weird is that???
Some of my speaking engagement clients include:
- CourseAdvisor
- Connance, Inc.
- ISC West
- Harvard University
- Utah Valley State
- New York University
- MIT
- Global Gaming Expo (G2E)
- QualityMetric
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
- WGP Conference
- Amsterdam Affiliate Conference
- Chicago Private Equity Network
- Wharton Private Equity Network
- Ignite Media Solutions
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What clients are saying about me:
"Dave’s presentation is the single best entertainment draw we have ever used for corporate events (and we have worked with him for multiple client parties). He is a real professional. The presentation is fascinating, the execution is flawless and the logistics have been very smooth and easy. I highly recommend Dave for anyone looking to host a fun and engaging event."
- Alison Moore, Managing Director
BluePoint Venture Marketing
"Thank you for being a part of our conference in Las Vegas. Because of your notoriety and the growing popularity of blackjack we were able to draw a crowd of potential clients that was twice what we expected. It was great to see so many prospects huddled around Dave’s demonstration memorized by the experience of learning blackjack from an original MIT Team member! Your enthusiasm and stories kept the crowd entertained, and we received many positive comments about your presentation. I know of at least two very large clients we landed as a result of the event! I can’t recommend you enough!"
- Doug Winslow, Founder & President
Ignite Media Solutions
"Prior to Dave’s presentation at the conference, I was thinking how is this ex-MIT team blackjack player going to be perceived by an audience of surveillance managers who spend a lot of time making sure guys like him don’t play in their casinos. His session was voted the most enjoyable keynote presentation of the show. Dave’s intelligence, relaxed personality, honesty, humor, and candid accounts of his previous life left a feeling of great mutual respect amongst conference attendees. A great keynote speaker not to mention a good team player."
- Willy Allison, President
WGP Conference
"Dave hosts an entertaining and educational session on the fundamentals of the game of blackjack. He built the evening around helping people of all abilities learn not only the game and how it is played, but also how to improve one’s odds at the tables. He is personable, engaging, and I am seeking opportunities to involve him in other events in the future."
- Greg Johnson, CEO
Cardiovascular Specialty Associates
"David presented to 35 of our most important clients at a special event and it was a huge success – a memorable night for all. The content is highly engaging for anyone interested in blackjack and intriguing on a personal level for anyone. David, a colorful speaker, delivers a talk with fascinating personal accounts of what it was like to be part of the MIT Blackjack Team. I’ve now seen David present his material on two occasions and witnessed a phenomenally positive response from attendees both times. I would not hesitate to use David again at another corporate function as this is a truly unique and different offer."
- Rob Carbonaro
EVP Sales & Business Development
CourseAdvisor, Inc.
"David Irvine was our keynote speaker for Math Awareness Week at Utah Valley University. He was great to work with and very professional, in addition to being an engaging speaker with a remarkable story. David’s presentation was extremely well-attended by our students and staff, and he adapted his presentation to fit our needs perfectly. I can only hope to find such a winning speaker for our future events."
- Kathryn Van Wagoner
Utah Valley University
"We were proud to have Dave Irvine participate as a speaker in the G2E 2007 Conference Program in Las Vegas. His story and insight into the world of blackjack were not only relevant and timely but also enlightening and fascinating. He had G2E conferees on the edge of their seats for over an hour!"
- Mike Johnson
Director of Industry Development
Reed Exhibitions
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