Step into the glitzy, high-stakes world of 21 (2008) — the slick casino drama inspired by the true story of brilliant MIT students who took Vegas for millions. Starring Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, and Kate Bosworth, this thrilling film explores risk, strategy, and the fine line between genius and greed.
Think you’ve got what it takes to beat the house? Put your knowledge to the test with our 10-question trivia quiz based on the film. Only those with razor-sharp memory and a gambler’s instinct will score big on this one!
21 Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Ben Campbell in the film 21?
Correct Answer: Jim Sturgess
Jim Sturgess stars as Ben Campbell, a brilliant but financially struggling MIT student. His performance captures Ben’s transformation from a quiet academic to a confident high roller seduced by money and power. Sturgess brings relatability and tension to the role of a young man pushed to his limits.
- What prestigious university does Ben attend in the film?
Correct Answer: MIT
Ben is a top student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the most respected tech and science universities in the world. The film’s real-life inspiration also centers on actual MIT students who used math to master card counting and exploit Las Vegas casinos.
- What subject is Ben studying at MIT?
Correct Answer: Mathematics
Ben is a gifted math student aiming to get into Harvard Medical School. His mathematical mind makes him the perfect candidate for card counting, as the technique requires quick calculations, memory, and strategic thinking — skills Ben possesses in abundance.
- Why does Ben initially join the blackjack team?
Correct Answer: To pay for medical school
Despite his intelligence, Ben can’t afford Harvard Medical School’s tuition. When he learns he can make huge amounts of money by playing blackjack, he agrees to join the MIT blackjack team under the guidance of Professor Micky Rosa. At first, it’s a means to an end — but the thrill quickly becomes addictive.
- Who leads the MIT blackjack team?
Correct Answer: Micky Rosa
Micky Rosa, played by Kevin Spacey, is a brilliant yet manipulative professor who forms and leads the secret blackjack team. He recruits students with mathematical talent, trains them in card counting and team-based strategy, and leads their operations in Las Vegas.
- What strategy does the team use to win at blackjack?
Correct Answer: Card counting
Card counting is the foundation of the team’s strategy. By keeping track of the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck, they can increase their odds of winning. While not technically illegal, card counting is frowned upon by casinos — and can get players banned or worse.
- What code phrase does the team use to signal each other at the tables?
Correct Answer: “Sweet” or “magazine”
To coordinate without attracting attention, team members use code words to signal table conditions. “Sweet” means the count is favorable and it’s time for the big player to step in. These subtle cues are part of the team’s sophisticated approach to beat the house while staying under the radar.
- Which city is the main setting for the team’s gambling operations?
Correct Answer: Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the ultimate playground for gamblers — and the primary setting for most of the film’s action. The glitzy casinos and high-stakes tables provide the perfect backdrop for Ben’s transformation and the team’s rise and fall. Vegas becomes both a dream and a trap for the characters.
- What causes tension between Ben and Micky Rosa?
Correct Answer: Ben hides money from the team
As Ben gets deeper into the lifestyle and starts making more money, he begins keeping some of his winnings from the group. This betrayal enrages Micky Rosa, whose trust and ego are both wounded. Their relationship turns hostile, triggering major consequences for both.
- What is the film 21 based on?
Correct Answer: A true story about MIT students beating casinos
21 is inspired by the book Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich, which tells the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team. Though the film fictionalizes some characters and events, the core premise — a group of mathematically gifted students using card counting to win millions — is rooted in real events from the 1990s and early 2000s.
