Ben Campbell, portrayed by Jim Sturgess, is a bright mathematics major at MIT who has recently secured a spot at Harvard Medical School, but the exorbitant tuition of $300,000 stands as an insurmountable barrier. Eager to alleviate his financial woes, he applies for the esteemed Robinson Scholarship, knowing it could cover his entire education cost. Yet, he soon learns that the competition is incredibly fierce, with 76 highly qualified applicants all vying for the prize. The scholarship's director informs Ben that only the most impressive candidate will be awarded the funding.
Back on the MIT campus, his professor, Micky Rosa, tests him with the Monty Hall Problem, a challenge that Ben adeptly solves. Recognizing Ben's exceptional talent, Micky invites him to join a clandestine blackjack team composed of fellow students including Jill, Choi, Fisher, and Kianna. Their approach involves card counting and discreet signaling to maximize their winning probability in casinos, netting them considerable profits. Although Ben hesitates at first, Micky strategically sends Jill, the girl he admires, to coax him into joining their lucrative venture, especially since Ben is stuck making a mere $8 per hour as an assistant manager.
As the weekends roll on, the team jet off to Las Vegas, and Ben quickly adapts to the glamorous life of a high-stakes gambler. His burgeoning skills earn him accolades, yet tensions rise when Fisher grows envious and confronts him aggressively, resulting in his expulsion from the team. Complicating matters further, Cole Williams, the head of casino security, has begun to notice their activities and is putting pressure on his team, as advancements in technology threaten to obsolete traditional security measures.
While Ben enjoys a windfall of up to $100,000, his success garners Micky's favoritism, straining relationships within the team. A romantic twist develops when Jill, after initially acting aloof, becomes intimate with him. However, turmoil erupts when Fisher's drunken antics near a Russian mobster culminate in chaos at the blackjack table, leading to Fisher's ousting. Ben's growing obsession with gambling comes at a cost, as he neglects an important engineering competition, distancing himself from his friends.
During another Las Vegas excursion, distracted and reckless, Ben suffers a severe loss of $200,000 after failing to heed Micky’s signal to walk away. In a fit of rage, Micky quits and demands repayment. Undeterred, Ben and the remaining students decide to carry on without Micky, but they soon find themselves caught by Williams, who has been tipped off. After a brutal encounter, Cole reveals Micky's history of large-scale losses and explains how Micky's actions ultimately led to Cole’s dismissal years ago.
As Ben realizes he’s ineligible for graduation due to grades manipulated by Micky, he also faces theft of his winnings. With lingering doubts about Micky’s loyalty, Ben rallies his teammates for one final heist in Las Vegas before casinos install biometric security measures. Disguised and on a mission, they successfully win $640,000, but their celebratory mood is cut short as Williams captures Micky, intending to settle old scores.
In a twist of fate, Micky is betrayed by Williams, who turns on Ben as well, stealing his earnings at gunpoint. Williams rationalizes his betrayal, suggesting that smart individuals like Ben will always find a way to succeed. However, Ben's friends Miles and Cam, who have honed their card-counting skills while helping Ben and Micky, prove to be formidable allies, enabling the expanded team to keep raking in cash despite the chaos. In a reflective conclusion, Ben recounts his exhilarating journey to the astonished scholarship director, wrapping up a tale of ambition, betrayal, and unexpected resilience.
