Jeff Ma

Jeff Ma is co-founder and VP of the fantasy investment site Protrade.com, but earned a greater claim to fame in the mid-'90s as a member of the MIT Blackjack Team. A group of six students and graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the team made millions in Vegas, inspiring the book Bringing Down the House, as well as the film 21.

As chronicled in the book by writer Ben Mezrich, the key to the success of Ma and friends was a remarkably effective card-counting system they had developed themselves. The book's protagonist, "Kevin Lewis," is based on Ma. A non-fiction bestseller, the book in turn inspired the film 21, starring actor Jim Sturgess as Ma (renamed yet again as "Ben Campbell"). The fact that Ma, who is of Chinese descent, is not portrayed as Asian-American has been the subject of some controversy online.

In addition to his work with Protrade.com, Ma is a paid speaker, discussing how his mathematical approach to Blackjack can be used as a tool for success in Business. His website, Jeff Ma's Wild World of Gambling, includes videos that explain his card-counting techniques. Fast Facts:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate
2. Inspired protagonist of 21
3. Makes cameo in film as dealer
4. Vegas winnings were often $900/night
5. Of Chinese descent
6. Card-counting is legal, but not tolerated by Casinos

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