Product Description

For nearly five years, he was known as the 'Darling Of Las Vegas'; the biggest high roller to hit Sin City in decades, a hotshot, twenty one year-old kid with a seemingly unlimited bankroll and an even more unlimited lust for big money action. His name was Semyon Dukatch, and stories swirled in his wake. Some said he was a Russian arms dealer, others a pop star from Eastern Europe. But the truth was even more unlikely: he was a twenty-one year old graduate student who had a plan that would one day make him richer than anyone could possibly imagine. The Darling of Las Vegas quickly became a legend in the casino world. He is the only person banned from the island of Aruba. He was held, at gunpoint, in a cave in Monte Carlo and told that if he ever returned, he'd be murdered. And he made millions of dollars playing blackjack, using three simple techniques that gave him the edge, techniques that are revealed in this book for the first time. This is the ultimate true story of Las Vegas, the book Vegas doesn't want you to read...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18261 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From the Publisher
The book Vegas doesn't want you to read...

Another page-turning true story of the underbelly of Las Vegas from Ben Mezrich, a successor to his bestselling Bringing Down the House.

From the Back Cover
The ultimate true stroy of Las Vegas, the book the casinos don't want you to read...

For nearly five years, he was known as the 'Darling Of Las Vegas'; the biggest high roller to hit Sin City in decades, a hotshot, twenty one year-old kid with an unlimited lust for big money action. His name was Semyon Dukatch, and stories swirled in his wake. Some said he was a Russian arms dealer , others a pop star from Eastern Europe. But the truth was even more unlikely: he was a twenty-one year old graduate student who had a plan that would one day make him richer than anyone could possibly imagine.

Dukatch quickly became a legend in the world of cards and casinos. He is the only person banned from the island of Aruba. He was held, at gunpoint, in a cave in Monte Carlo, and he made millions of dollars playing blackjack, using brilliantly simple playing techniques revealed in this book for the first time.

‘A very enjoyable read that makes you feel like you're right there in Vegas playing along. Semyon's story is a fascinating, true-life adventure’ Kevin Spacey

Brilliant… As good as any thriller writer around the bookstands at the moment’ Lads Mag

‘Glamorous, exciting and true, it’s a tale to send the Ocean’s Eleven back to bussing tables for tips.’ Arena

‘Stylish and captivating… A must read at all costs’ Daily Mirror

About the Author
Ben Mezrich is a writer and broadcaster. Author of the international bestseller Bringing Down The House, he lives in Boston. Visit benmezrich.com for more info on Ben, Vegas, and the MIT gang.

Customer Reviews

Unputdownable.....as they say
What a fantastic read! Ben Mezrich is a such a skilled writer - okay, he was given a great story, but he made the main character, Semyon Dukach, totally sympathetic rather than arrogant and conceited as I thought he might be and the romantic sub-plot between him and Allie was intriguing. In fact, I would have liked the book to be longer and learned more about the casino trips that didn't end in trouble. Easy to read and fascinating.

Mezrich at his best!
First let me start by saying that Ben Mezrich is a great author. Aside from 'Breaking Vegas' i've also read 'Bringing Down The House' and 'Ugly Americans' and he's written them both fantastically as well.

'Breaking Vegas' is a true story about a young MIT student called Semyon Dukach. The book follows him and a group of fellow students as they proceed to win hundreds of thousands of dollars by playing blackjack in Casinos around the world and all they use is three simple techniques to give them the upper hand.

Mezrich, as always, has written the book with his usual flair and has produced something truely great. Whether you like blackjack or not, whether you like gambling or not, hell, whether you like books or not this is sure to keep you hooked until you've finished it!

Highly recommended!

Great book but full of lies
Ben Mezrich is a good author but I doubt the authenticity of much of his work. I believe that this is not a true story at all. Story, yes but true ? I don't think so. I base this belief on the fact that I was one of the few bj players in the UK to be using the 3 techniques outlined in the book in the late 70's and early 80's and there is absolutely no way these techniques could have been used in Vegas in the 90's. Better players than me had already used the techniques in Vegas much earlier and casinos had taken counter measures like using another card to cover the backcard.
So my feeling is that Ben has taken the techniques that were certainly used at some stage in Vegas and has woven a good story around his ideas of what could have happened. But to sell this as a true story based on some mysterious MIT students is more likely to be a pack of lies.
Its still a good yarn and worth reading.