Mar 1 show with Eliot Jacobson

Our own Eliot Jacobson, who posts here sometimes, is the guest this week. I think this was one of our best shows as we discuss with Eliot his switch from advantage player to gaming consultant and the hot new advantage plays.

As always, you can get all the old shows at my Odds site.

I found parts of Jacobson's answers to be confusing. He
gave up AP because he now 'likes' the casinos? Thats the
reason? It wasn't because the money is steady and he
doesn't have to look over his shoulder all the time, its
because he likes the casino people now. It was an odd
answer.

He says casinos don't really worry about AP's, they have
better things to do. He said casinos don't care about AP's
at all. Then he tells a story about being back roomed and
severely treated and hinted that there's a lawsuit involved.
Which is it, Eliot, casinos don't care about AP's, or they do
care. Have you read Paigowdan's dozens of posts here
on the subject? He's on the front line every day and he
says they care very much about stopping AP's.

It sounds like Eliot's gone over to the DarkSide and is trying
to please both sides, which is impossible.

I enjoyed his presentation at WGPC. I plan on doing a write up here about it once I get to a proper computer

Good points, Bob, but it was a good show anyway.

Quote: odiousgambit

Good points, Bob, but it was a good show anyway.

I never said it wasn't a good show.

Quote: EvenBob

He says casinos don't really worry about AP's, they have
better things to do.

Casinos don't worry about AP's only in the sense that they use games with positives house EV's and apply game protection methods to their operations(surveillance, procedures, etc.) If they had uncontrolable losses from a problem games or problem players, they would care very much, as would any business.

Quote: EvenBob

...It sounds like Eliot's gone over to the DarkSide and is trying
to please both sides, which is impossible.

Maybe Eliot simply feels that gaming is a great and legitimate business, and as such, he works with, approves of, and supports his clients, - which is a reasonable position to take.

I though ap's were the merchants of evil, Even Bob, at least that's what Dan is always telling me.

Quote: buzzpaff

I though ap's were the merchants of evil, Even Bob, at least that's what Dan is always telling me.

No. They're just people in need of a real job. If you try to beat the system, you'll always find in the end that the system beats you, and some are slow learners.
This is the difference between playing in the ocean, versus playing with the ocean.

I kinda see what Bob is saying but look at it differently.

In both cases, Elliot is looking for weaknesses. Whether it in game design or dealer procedure or whatever.

As an AP, he looks for ways to exploit them.
As a casino consultant, he looks for ways to remove them.

Both cases are equally challenging. And I think that's key. Elliot is looking for new challenges.

P.S. Great show as always.