1. Think back on the arguments of the team which they use to justify their actions.  To what extent do they see themselves as ethical operators utilizing "arbitrage opportunities" or "freedom fighters" liberating money from "oppressors"? Given the risks of being "back-roomed" and the general casino view that counters "**** with the cardinal rule" of the house always winning, is the team truly operating within an ethical boundary, or are they relying solely on a legal loophole? 

2. In his later essay, Kevin Lewis notes that the casino still wins 49 percent of the time even when a player holds a 2 percent advantage, stressing the importance of a massive bankroll to �withstand any swings of bad luck.� How does the team�s large starting bankroll of $600,000�half funded by Micky and his silent partners�help reduce the impact of variance, and in what ways does this financial setup reinforce the team�s structure and the essential role of investors?

3. Kevin reflects on his decision to lie to his girlfriend, Felicia, about his weekend activities, covering his practice sessions with excuses about the swim team and study groups. How does Kevin rationalize maintaining this "double life," and how does the excitement of Vegas overshadow his sense of guilt?

4. Despite his success during the first shift, Kevin describes his experience as "exhausting" and a "mental grind". What specific demands does the Spotter role place on the player beyond simply keeping the count?

5. Discuss the necessity and psychological effects of adopting multiple identities and "inhabiting his aliases like a trained actor playing a role". How did the team select these aliases, drawing specifically on stereotypes and backgrounds (e.g., Hong Kong surgeon's son, Silicon Valley millionaire, heir to Malaysian land)? How did this "chameleon" ability, or "the look," make Kevin particularly effective as a Big Player, able to blend in at high-stakes tables with celebrities like Kevin Costner and Howard Stern?