I made the channel 15 news in Phoenix.
My favorite part of the story was the Sigma Derby game in the background, love it! I know it's a horrible play, but I don't think I get as much entertainment for so little money as playing that silly game.
Quote: MidwestAPNice job Michael! I found it interesting that the majority (if not all of the piece) was shot upstairs at the D where the old coin machines are located with lots of video of coin going in and coming out. I guess that makes it a more interesting story than viewing TITO.
Actually, the part with me was all downstairs. They obviously went upstairs after I left to shoot ploppies playing.
Quote:My favorite part of the story was the Sigma Derby game in the background, love it! I know it's a horrible play, but I don't think I get as much entertainment for so little money as playing that silly game.
I'm glad that got some airtime too. Based on ME's criteria of expected loss per hour, Derby has got to be the best game* in Vegas.
* Not counting positive-EV video poker.
Quote: WizardLast month I spent about an hour with the TV crew from ABC television in Phoenix. Here is the story they came up with: How to win at the casino: Las Vegas expert shares 3 big casino secrets.
That's awesome, You are right when saying that its all luck when playing slots. Up until they added some co-processor to reset the RNG after every pull, anyone was able to approach any machine and write down the Total in / Total out counters located at top right corner just after the last reel in the back. (Don't bother looking because they are all changed.) and if you find old machines, they put Tape over the counters.
I also agree for the longest time Video poker just requires skill and perfect play to take advantage of the highest payouts.
I played video Poker for years back in the day and always looked for the Highest payout by simply looking at the pay table at the Full house.
Now-a-days when it comes to slots, I agree 100% is Luck, Luck and Luck.
Quote: AlanThey should do a weekly segment-different game every week. But on table games, screw slots.
If you can convince the admin to make a Category "Table Games" and include a Sub-Category of "Baccarat", you will get Daily readings from many pro's.
Did anyone else get the same Arizona casino ad first where the woman states "I don't consider it gambling, I consider it winning"?
Wow. A lot better than I expected. Of course, I expected them to edit out the good stuff, and find a sound bite that fit their needs.Quote: DJTeddyBearI won't be able to watch the video until later, but already, I don't like where this is heading...
Nope. I saw a car commercial.Quote: BozDid anyone else get the same Arizona casino ad first where the woman states "I don't consider it gambling, I consider it winning"?
There are still plenty of old machines that show the coin in and coin out meters without tape covering the numbers, I see them all the time. One thing you may be missing when looking at the coin in coin out meters, it dose not take in account for hand pays.Quote: varmentiQuote: WizardLast month I spent about an hour with the TV crew from ABC television in Phoenix. Here is the story they came up with: How to win at the casino: Las Vegas expert shares 3 big casino secrets.
That's awesome, You are right when saying that its all luck when playing slots. Up until they added some co-processor to reset the RNG after every pull, anyone was able to approach any machine and write down the Total in / Total out counters located at top right corner just after the last reel in the back. (Don't bother looking because they are all changed.) and if you find old machines, they put Tape over the counters.
I also agree for the longest time Video poker just requires skill and perfect play to take advantage of the highest payouts.
I played video Poker for years back in the day and always looked for the Highest payout by simply looking at the pay table at the Full house.
Now-a-days when it comes to slots, I agree 100% is Luck, Luck and Luck.
It's not all LUCK on slots there are still advantage plays on slot machines.
As I was watching it, I was thinking of the thread here about not being allowed to take pictures in a casino.
Hmm, I guess I'll just switch my camera to video mode and I should be good to go. lol
Coin in coin out meters never were relevant.
Quote: aceofspadesWho decided to shoot at the "D"? Hope you got some comps out of it :) great piece!!!
I did! They asked me for suggestions on where to shoot, and I thought the D wouldn't mind.
Quote: AyecarumbaWas there a representative of the casino standing just off camera? I also wonder if everyone was warned ahead of time that their activities might be caught on camera...
Unlike other casino shoots I've done, it was very loose. The D wasn't happy with the shots of me just walking around the casino. I imagine they made them go upstairs because of that, but that was after I left.
KB1
Quote: aceofspadesWIZARD - do you do your own public relations or do you have an agent that books you.......or, do they come to you?
You must have me confused with somebody famous. Somehow the media sniffs me out sometimes and contacts me directly. This happens a lot when a lottery jackpot breaks a new record.
You were loose and relaxed. "104% Payback loose" and suave, - you looked great.
I loved your quote, - and some have waited a while for this:
Quote: Mike Shackleford on the news[Advice:] Gambling should be though of as entertainment.
Just loved it, - sound bite morsels so fine you might be moving back to the D.C. area. They need you, too, but stay here.
I didn't like this:
Quote: abc 15 TV, PhoenixGet more tips - and tricks - from Mike [ at www.wizardofodds.com]
Quote: PaigowdanI loved your quote, Gambling should be though of as entertainment.
But not GR8Entertainment?
Quote: PaigowdanYou were loose and relaxed.
Too much funny arm movement.
Quote: WizardQuote: aceofspadesWIZARD - do you do your own public relations or do you have an agent that books you.......or, do they come to you?
You must have me confused with somebody famous. Somehow the media sniffs me out sometimes and contacts me directly. This happens a lot when a lottery jackpot breaks a new record.
You do have a certain amount of fame WIZARD
Quote: DoubleOrNothingBut not GR8Entertainment?
Yes - but say it and spell it as "GREAT entertainment."
Quote: DoubleorNothingToo much funny arm movement.
Many extremely fine Math experts, computer scientists and other geeks seem to have at times a natural "Geek Parkinsonism," by virtue of not having a heavy sports, dancing, athletics, or music lesson background ("childhood motor coordination") during childhood/adolescence. My sister took ballet lessons, and both my brother and I took music lessons, - and were serious handball, stickball, and paddle ball enthusiasts, and played at the esteemed '92nd Street YM & YWJA' We were required and obligated by this, for 'Geek counter-balance' - by my shiksa Mom.
[YMJA = YMCA kind of thing. Sports for growing Jews at their own YMCA. 92nd Street and 3rd/Lex in New York, in the 70's and 80's.]
Mike isn't the only example of "intellectual development and coordination" considered way over "sports and motor development, but w/o intellectual development." Let's just say Mike didn't take any ballet lessons or play Hockey during his formative years while he solved quadratic equations at 12 years old. And He looks totally fine to me, and to us all, too.
So a very slight "motor control illiteracy" is often combined with a tremendous intellectual literacy and capacity - like Mike. Very Geek cool. It's one of the reason's why Mike is just sooo smooth and cool.
Try to picture Mike Shackleford competing with Eliot Jacobson ( - or you name a scientist) on "Dancing with the stars." I see your point.
I will say that Mike is kinesmatically smooth [sic] as far as I can tell, and has the brain power or an Olympic athelete. By fair comparison, now, try to imagine Carl Lewis or Joe Namath or Mike Jordan or Alex Rodriguez competing in an applied Calculus completion. They'd have some of the same issues on the other side of the coin.
and as far as I am concerned, Mike was George friggin' Clooney in that video, and George friggin' Foreman in the Ring. Da chicks will say so also. Don't make us have Angela Wyman post on this, there'd be a beat-down in Mike's 100% favor.
Quote: duckmankillaHahaha love @2:15 when the reporter asks "So the higher the number, the better the bet?" and the Wiz seems to let out an exasperated sigh, think about explaining it further, and just ends up saying "yes" as if accepting his partial victory. Obviously there's more to it than that, and I'm sure he explained it quite thoroughly in footage that didn't make the cut, but that pretty much sums it up. The good news for people watching who don't know anything about VP? If they were influenced at all and do minimal research into VP paytables, they will think that just sitting down at the machine will lead to the listed, perfect strategy payback. What does this mean? FP machines stick around for those of us who can actually play competently. Brilliant.
higher payouts for same bet, often yes,.. BUT aside from examining the paytable....
Blond says: "6:5 is better than both 3:2 and 2:1 - BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER."
Average American Gambler, kk?
Quote: Paigowdanhigher payouts for same bet, often yes,.. BUT aside from examining the paytable....
Blond says: "6:5 is better than both 3:2 and 2:1 - BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER."
Seems logical to me. Bigger = Better. Proven maths.
Quote: PaigowdanLet's just say Mike didn't take any ballet lessons or play Hockey during his formative years while he solved quadratic equations at 12 years old.
Quote: PaigowdanMike was George friggin' Clooney in that video, and George friggin' Foreman in the Ring.
More or less my point. Tries too hard to do what ought to be allowed to come naturally. But, he does have the knack for that. I must say.
Quote: duckmankillaHahaha love @2:15 when the reporter asks "So the higher the number, the better the bet?" and the Wiz seems to let out an exasperated sigh, think about explaining it further, and just ends up saying "yes" as if accepting his partial victory. Obviously there's more to it than that, and I'm sure he explained it quite thoroughly in footage that didn't make the cut, but that pretty much sums it up. The good news for people watching who don't know anything about VP? If they were influenced at all and do minimal research into VP paytables, they will think that just sitting down at the machine will lead to the listed, perfect strategy payback. What does this mean? FP machines stick around for those of us who can actually play competently. Brilliant.
They didn't show how just before that I went through how you have to know what high numbers to look for for each particular game. I went through all the games on that Game Maker, making statements like "This pay table pays 99.16% with perfect strategy, but if this 9 where a 10, as it does at the Four Queens, it would pay 100.17%. After all all that explanation she just said, "So big numbers are better." Hopefully nobody will abandon 9-6 Jacks for 9-6 Double Double Bonus after hearing my hesitant confirmation, because the sum of the numbers on the pay table are better. In fact, just one number is only one less.
Quote: PaigowdanI didn't like this:
Quote: abc 15 TV, PhoenixGet more tips - and tricks - from Mike [ at www.wizardofodds.com]
Yeah, we'll, that's the kind of stuff I was thinking of when I said that I was worried where this may lead.
On the plus side, the text story does have two links to WoO...
Quote: PaigowdanMany extremely fine Math experts, computer scientists and other geeks seem to have at times a natural "Geek Parkinsonism," by virtue of not having a heavy sports, dancing, athletics, or music lesson background ("childhood motor coordination") during childhood/adolescence.
...
Mike isn't the only example of "intellectual development and coordination" considered way over "sports and motor development, but w/o intellectual development." Let's just say Mike didn't take any ballet lessons or play Hockey during his formative years while he solved quadratic equations at 12 years old.
Mike is an accomplished juggler. 'Nuff said, I think.
Quote: DocMike is an accomplished juggler. 'Nuff said, I think.
Yes! I'm not sure you can assume that later-in-life-excessive arm gesturing meant you were an unathletic geek as a kid, that one is a new theory on me! Although I must say this was one of the W's better videos with much less gesturing, it is still true that if he could cut such out to near zero it would make better video.
Quote: DocMike is an accomplished juggler. 'Nuff said, I think.
I discussed athletics, and ballet. And I think Mike came off fantastic.
Quote: beachbumbabsFemale weighing in here....
Thanks for all the kind words!
Regarding all the excessive hand gesturing, no wonder my handicap in golf is in the triple digits.
Quote: WizardThanks for all the kind words!
Regarding all the excessive hand gesturing, no wonder my handicap in golf is in the triple digits.
Being the math guy that you are, you should know that you can't have a golf handicap with triple digits. ;-) Nice try sandbagger.
Q. What is the maximum Handicap Index for men and women?
A. The maximum Handicap Index is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women (18.2N and 20.2N for a nine-hole Handicap Index, respectively).
The Course Handicap™ could convert to a number higher than the maximum Handicap Index. Example: A Handicap Index of 36.4 on a course with a Slope Rating® of 145 would be 47 (e.g. 36.4 x 145 / 113 = 47 Course Handicap).
Anything above the maximum Handicap Index must be designated with an “L” for local club use only (e.g. 45.0L).
Anything set below the maximum Handicap Index for an event is a condition of the competition (e.g. maximum USGA Handicap Index for event is 25.0).
Quote: WizardRegarding all the excessive hand gesturing, no wonder my handicap in golf is in the triple digits.
Wizard, just out of curiosity, do you have any Italian blood?
I always love watching Italians speak with their expressive gestures. In fact, I once saw a study on gesturing in various cultures, and it said that Italians and Jews gesture the most, Koreans the least.
Quote: AlanBeing the math guy that you are, you should know that you can't have a golf handicap with triple digits. ;-) Nice try sandbagger.
Q. What is the maximum Handicap Index for men and women?
A. The maximum Handicap Index is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women (18.2N and 20.2N for a nine-hole Handicap Index, respectively).
Anything above the maximum Handicap Index must be designated with an “L” for local club use only (e.g. 45.0L).
Doubt he has a USGA handicap, either. Both him and I would have an L next to our names if we did.
Quote: WizardThey didn't show how just before that I went through how you have to know what high numbers to look for for each particular game. I went through all the games on that Game Maker, making statements like "This pay table pays 99.16% with perfect strategy, but if this 9 where a 10, as it does at the Four Queens, it would pay 100.17%. After all all that explanation she just said, "So big numbers are better." Hopefully nobody will abandon 9-6 Jacks for 9-6 Double Double Bonus after hearing my hesitant confirmation, because the sum of the numbers on the pay table are better. In fact, just one number is only one less.
It won't affect things tons for most people watching, but you only have seconds to explain what to look for:
You cant say for non-wild card games look for a full house/flush sum of 13 for Bonus, Aces and Faces, Super Aces, or Super Double Double Bonus
Look for a sum of 14 for Super Double Bonus, White Hot Aces, or Triple Bonus Plus
Look for a sum of 15 or better for Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker Deluxe, or Double Double Bonus
Look for a sum of 16 or better for Double Bonus and Triple Double Bonus
And giving this much info will just confuse the hell out of the person just watching the news. So I still think you did a good job!
And outside of Vegas, finding these ~99%+ sums, especially for cheaper, can be a pain sometimes. Another thing worthy of the sigh you made in that video...
Quote: Beethoven9thWizard, just out of curiosity, do you have any Italian blood?
Not that I'm aware of. 50% German and the other 50% is a European mixture, but mostly English/Irish/Welsh.
About my 100+ golf handicap I meant counting every single stroke, with no maximum, and strict rules about lost balls and such things. I go through a LOT of balls in one round.
About talking too much, I should have realized they were just looking for some quick sound bites. I think they just let me ramble on and on, knowing they would find some in there someplace.
Quote: WizardNot that I'm aware of. 50% German and the other 50% is a European mixture, but mostly English/Irish/Welsh.
About my 100+ golf handicap I meant counting every single stroke, with no maximum, and strict rules about lost balls and such things. I go through a LOT of balls in one round.
About talking too much, I should have realized they were just looking for some quick sound bites. I think they just let me ramble on and on, knowing they would find some in there someplace.
If par is 72 you would have to have an average score of 172 to have a 100 handicap. That will get you kicked off some courses.
Quote: 1BBIf par is 72 you would have to have an average score of 172 to have a 100 handicap. That will get you kicked off some courses.
72 is an average of only 4 per hole, so I'd probably be about a 70-handicap there. Never been thrown off a course, but got a yellow flag once for putting my bag on the green.
By then partners knew I was terrible, but that hole I was par or bogey. Dog leg right and my slice fit it perfect. Hit next shot as hard as I could and would clear sand trap and hit the green somewhere. Really flat level green and my hustling background helped me there. Unfortunately I could not use a pool cue on the greens.
After the 8th hole I was back to my usual 10-15 strokes a hole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGTp7q04IJ8
Quote: BuzzardWizard, do you have a favorite hole ?
I don't have a favorite hole, but I tend to like simple cheap public courses. Put me on something fancy like Shadow Creek and I will absolutely blow it. Every part of my game is awful, but my short game is less awful than my long one. I often don't even make contact with the ball when I use a driver. Speaking of which, can I say it was a practice swing and not count it?
Quote: WizardI don't have a favorite hole, but I tend to like simple cheap public courses. Put me on something fancy like Shadow Creek and I will absolutely blow it. Every part of my game is awful, but my short game is less awful than my long one. I often don't even make contact with the ball when I use a driver. Speaking of which, can I say it was a practice swing and not count it?
You should get one of the older style narrow three woods and practice a few hundred tee shots with one of those at the driving range. When you get to the point that you make contact with the ball off of the tee using one of those twenty (or so) times in a row, you'll never miss with your driver. I'm not saying you'll hit good drives at that point, but you at least won't miss the ball.
But then there is Walter Ray Williams. He currently holds the record for all-time standard PBA Tour career titles (47) and total PBA earnings. Walter Ray has also won six Men's World Horseshoe Pitching titles. He finished 2nd in the 2005 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships after switching from right handed to left handed. Williams has a three-handicap in golf.
Warning to Wiz and everyone else. Do not play SWITCH for money at snooker or ping-pong. And I mean NEVER !
