NYC Transit boss's wife was a member of MIT Blackjack card-counting Team

 NYC transit boss's wife was a member MIT blackjack card-counting group

Jane Willis, wife of Richard Davey (incoming New York Transit President), is a legend blackjack card counter. She was a member in the early 90s of the MIT blackjack team that took millions of dollars from casinos.

The team's adventures inspired the 2003 bestseller, "Bringing Down the House", which was later adapted into the film "21" starring Kevin Spacey. Kate Bosworth was Willis.

Jeff Ma, a former teammate who is now a Microsoft vice president, stated that she "pick it up really quickly."

Willis, 52, studied Harvard Law when she was recruited by Ma to join the team with Kyle Schaffer.

Willis was a spotter. She would keep track of decks that were considered "hot". This meant they had high-quality cards and statistically were more likely to win. Ma would then get a signal from her that she was ready to place big bets.

Because she couldn't believe that a woman would be involved in a counting scheme, security eluded her detection at many marquee Las Vegas casinos. Ma stated, "She is super smart." "I estimate that the group has won $5 million dollars in the seven years of this endeavor."

Willis was only paid a small amount of the total.

Willis wasn't a pro at professional gambling, so she quit the tables to pursue her legal career.

According to her company profile she is currently a partner in white-shoe firm Ropes and Gray and focuses "complex business litigation and Antitrust Matters."

Card counting means making sure that you have a substantial stake when the cards are in favor of your side," Willis stated to Harvard Law Today. "Litigation strategy is the same. You want to maximize your opportunities when you are in the lead."

Because she was afraid it might harm her career, the attorney kept her involvement with the team secret for years.

Sandra Willis' parents, Alan Willis and Sandra Willis, kept the secret and did not find out about it until a friend brought it up during a dinner with their daughter. Do You Have What it Takes To Be a MIT Blackjack Card Counting Professional?