Where did you meet the Wizard?
November 15th, 2012 at 10:35:29 PM
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I had a meeting scheduled with the Wizard in Toronto and he blew me off so he could watch the final episode of the first season of Survivor. It was then that I realized I will really like this guy. He was nice enough to meet me for breakfast the next day. He also gave me a manuscript for his upcoming "102" book. We have done a little business together in the last fifteen years, but the last time I saw him he had $50,000 stolen from him at Mandalay Bay.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
November 15th, 2012 at 10:55:24 PM
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Never met the guy. I don't think he knows I'm alive.
aahigh.com
November 15th, 2012 at 10:55:45 PM
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I met the Wiz and the Wizlet when they joined me and my boy for a jaunt to the top of Red Cap. I think it was a good day because I didn't die. Other than that, although we both live in Vegas, we haven't gotten together. My job may have a little to do with that. To that end, Mike, we need to get together for lunch sometime! ;-)
Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes." ~ William Gibson
November 15th, 2012 at 11:27:28 PM
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Quote: DRichthe last time I saw him he had $50,000 stolen from him at Mandalay Bay.
What!!?
have we heard this story?
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell! She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
November 16th, 2012 at 1:45:01 AM
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The first time was probably in szechuan in 1804
We have a standing lunch date
in any restaurant on any day within an hours notice on manhattan
We have a standing lunch date
in any restaurant on any day within an hours notice on manhattan
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
November 16th, 2012 at 5:11:32 AM
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G2E 2000 ... only seems like yesterday.
November 16th, 2012 at 5:13:20 AM
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Quote: AhighNever met the guy. I don't think he knows I'm alive.
This is still funny after 2 or 3 times.
I have never met you but we all certainly know you're alive.
A live one, that is.
Hands down the biggest craps theorist I've ever seen
And I started playing in '75.
Now. How many hard eights can u deliver in 100 throws?
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
November 16th, 2012 at 6:00:17 AM
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Focus Group 1. Or as I remember it. " Gee, my game really sucks "
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
November 16th, 2012 at 6:46:15 AM
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In the year 2000.
He was the Math-Wizard of my First New-Table-Game Casino Holdem Poker® (THE-FRIST Texas Hold'em Poker Play-Against the Casino ©2000).
FREE-Play Casino Holdem® on YOUR Mobile or PC.
He was the Math-Wizard of my First New-Table-Game Casino Holdem Poker® (THE-FRIST Texas Hold'em Poker Play-Against the Casino ©2000).
FREE-Play Casino Holdem® on YOUR Mobile or PC.
Last edited by: MrCasinoGames on Aug 1, 2022
Stephen Au-Yeung (Legend of New Table Games®) NewTableGames.com
November 16th, 2012 at 8:17:27 AM
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April 28, 2010 at an Atlanta Bread Company out on West Charleston Blvd., back when we were calling such a get-together a Wizard of Vegas "coffee". My wife and I were the only ones joining him, and he was on his way to a tennis session. There is a thread and photo of that meeting somewhere on this forum.
Second time was December 15, 2010, when he picked up the tab for dinner at Red Rock. He had just come from his daughter's band performance, and my wife and I followed dinner with a visit to the Grand Opening of the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
Since then, we have only seen each other for activities associated with WoVCon and WoVCon][.
Second time was December 15, 2010, when he picked up the tab for dinner at Red Rock. He had just come from his daughter's band performance, and my wife and I followed dinner with a visit to the Grand Opening of the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
Since then, we have only seen each other for activities associated with WoVCon and WoVCon][.
November 16th, 2012 at 10:10:10 AM
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Wizard's "Coffee." Lunch actually. October 2010.
I was in town for a wedding professional's convention. While in town, I met PaiGowDan (he did the airport run and drove me aorund a lot. Thanks Dan!). He arranged a meeting with a game distributor about my Hit It Again idea. In the weeks prior, I set up the lunch at Hash House A GoGo on Sahara. That's where I met the Wiz and a couple other WoV members.
Full disclosure: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/questions-and-answers/casual-corner/2796-wizards-coffee-meeting-lunch-actually/
I was in town for a wedding professional's convention. While in town, I met PaiGowDan (he did the airport run and drove me aorund a lot. Thanks Dan!). He arranged a meeting with a game distributor about my Hit It Again idea. In the weeks prior, I set up the lunch at Hash House A GoGo on Sahara. That's where I met the Wiz and a couple other WoV members.
Full disclosure: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/questions-and-answers/casual-corner/2796-wizards-coffee-meeting-lunch-actually/
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
November 16th, 2012 at 10:15:01 AM
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October 4th, 2011 at G2E. That's where I met him and a bunch of other forum members.
Man Babes #AxelFabulous
November 16th, 2012 at 10:20:08 AM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
November 16th, 2012 at 10:33:10 AM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesAt Fitzgeralds.
On a side note, how did everyone come to find out about his sites? I did while searching the net looking up blackjack info back in the early 2000's.
I don't remember exactly, but I'm sure I was looking up on how to play blackjack. It was back when the word "the" was at the beginning of the domain name.
Man Babes #AxelFabulous
November 16th, 2012 at 11:22:57 AM
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I found WoO, then WoV, then ended up writing a review for here, and spending a day with the Wiz, being shown around the bit of the Mansion that the security wouldnt shoot us for going in, then WoVCon.
[This space is intentionally left blank]
November 16th, 2012 at 11:24:26 AM
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I found WoO several years ago when I was looking for printable BJ strategy cards. Sometime after that, I noticed that one of the Ask the Wizard columns featured a topic that was discussed here, so I came here. I met the Wiz in person for the first time at WovCon I.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 16th, 2012 at 11:56:16 AM
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I'm not entirely sure how I found WoO, but I signed up for his newsletter, and had sent in a question which eventually got included in one of his Ask The Wizard columns. When he rolled out WoV, he first informed people on his mailing list, so I was one of the first to sign up.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
November 16th, 2012 at 12:50:25 PM
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I've known of the Wizard ever since I got into this business in 2002, and I frequently referenced his website to verify my own work. A few years ago, I was looking for a mentally stimulating hobby, and I came upon this site. I met the Wizard for the first time at G2E 2011.
I heart Crystal Math.
November 16th, 2012 at 1:56:58 PM
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I was searching the web for Craps related information, and found WOO and the awesome explanation of the house edge on each bet. From there I found this site. I have lurked in a few other forums, but always lose interest fairly quickly, as they are either promoting a dice class, or the advice is so bad it is sickening to read. I am growing more and more jealous of those that have attended a WoVconn. Hopefully, I can make it work for me soon.
Always borrow money from a pessimist; They don't expect to get paid back !
Be yourself and speak your thoughts. Those who matter won't mind, and those that mind, don't matter!
November 16th, 2012 at 5:03:17 PM
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I discovered WOO through the whole Casino Bar BJ scam years ago. I was a regular poster at Casinomeister where he posted a story about it. I have yet to meet the wizard in person but hope to one day.
November 16th, 2012 at 6:05:42 PM
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I first met Wiz at the Ravings Table Game Conference in August of 2010. Before that I had only e-mail contact with him to get a quote on some game math. He referred me to "teliot" who was taking on more of that work at the time (2008-9). Teliot actually made the intro at the conference.
Since then we have met up at G2E in '11 & '12 and SHFL Focus Group 1.
Since then we have met up at G2E in '11 & '12 and SHFL Focus Group 1.
November 16th, 2012 at 8:04:09 PM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesOn a side note, how did everyone come to find out about his sites?
I'm pretty sure I was directed to the WoV site from the WoO site. I lurked here for months and eventually signed up to join in the conversation.
I have no idea how I came across the WoO site or when I first did. My only records are some old email messages in which I asked some questions there. I think I lost some of those messages, and the oldest one I can find now was a reply the Wizard sent to a blackjack question in April 2006. I suspect that I lurked over there for quite some time, perhaps years, before asking my first question.
November 17th, 2012 at 2:43:06 AM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesAt Fitzgeralds.
On a side note, how did everyone come to find out about his sites? I did while searching the net looking up blackjack info back in the early 2000's.
Casino Player Magazine.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
November 17th, 2012 at 4:04:21 AM
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I started by finding the WoO site back in 2007 when a friend got me re hooked on blackjack. I wanted to learn basic strategy properly. I came to WoV when it opened, and met the wizard at the original WoV meetup back in 2010. I got to meet him at Palace Station, where he taught me the basics of pai gow tiles. Now I'm cursed trying to learn and play the game. :)
B
B
November 17th, 2012 at 8:06:12 AM
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I met the Wizard in Vegas in April 2010. I had written up a review of the Wynn for WoV that I posted on a thread. He liked my writeup and wanted to make it into an official hotel review. We met up for my next trip to Vegas a month later at Red Rock (with my wife Jennifer). when I wrote two more reviews for the WoV site. At the time, he was cashing in some superbowl prop bets. He picked up dinner for the two of us.
I had "known" him for a long time before then, and clued him into Owning Mahowney (movie about Toronto gambling addict) back in the summer of 2003.
I had "known" him for a long time before then, and clued him into Owning Mahowney (movie about Toronto gambling addict) back in the summer of 2003.
-----
You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
November 17th, 2012 at 12:06:49 PM
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Owning Mahoney is an excellent movie. Also, I love the wizard's tshirt. I need to get one of those.
November 17th, 2012 at 1:07:29 PM
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I found WoO in '09 after my work training left me wanting. From there, I stumbled on WoV and binged on the gaming knowledge provided. Once my knowledge was up to par, I stayed on for the interesting random conversation and curious cast of characters.
Met the Wiz in '12 at the WGPC. As someone that doesn't make a habit of random introductions nor small talk, I was pleasantly surprised at the 1 hour or so that we shared a lunch break and glad I decided to bother him in the buffet line.
Met the Wiz in '12 at the WGPC. As someone that doesn't make a habit of random introductions nor small talk, I was pleasantly surprised at the 1 hour or so that we shared a lunch break and glad I decided to bother him in the buffet line.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
November 17th, 2012 at 10:14:15 PM
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Rampart in Las Vegas. Now, I'm proud to say I've been to the WizMansion. I can confirm the Wizard's family does exist. He has a ping-pong table and a pool!
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
November 18th, 2012 at 12:41:01 AM
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I was searching for technical info on slot machines circa August or September 2000, found TheWizardOfOdds.com (the old domain), corresponded briefly, and then made arrangements to meet him in Atlantic City in October that year. We worked together for about ten years after that. He started being the Wizard three years before I met him, in 1997. Anyone here know him or at least discover his site before I did?
I run Easy Vegas ( https://easy.vegas )
November 18th, 2012 at 1:43:14 AM
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I met Mike via a friend via a friend, neither of whom I had met in person but had known via online casino bonus forums. One of them mentioned that Mike was coming to Sydney, Australia to speak at a conference and I offered to host him for a day. He asked to do something different to the normal touristy things so I organised a skydive. This was late August 2008.
The pic is of Mike sitting behind me on the tiny plane we jumped out of. You'll have to request (perhaps, beg) Mike to put his skydive video on YouTube. I had a great time and enjoyed the dive. Poor Mike, suffering from jet lag, had a slightly less enjoyable experience (or so it seemed at the time). I hope he looks back on the skydiving experience more fondly with the passing of time. :)
PS: Mike, total solar eclipse happening in Sydney, July 22, 2028. Put it in your diary and you're welcome to come by for the experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_22,_2028
The pic is of Mike sitting behind me on the tiny plane we jumped out of. You'll have to request (perhaps, beg) Mike to put his skydive video on YouTube. I had a great time and enjoyed the dive. Poor Mike, suffering from jet lag, had a slightly less enjoyable experience (or so it seemed at the time). I hope he looks back on the skydiving experience more fondly with the passing of time. :)
PS: Mike, total solar eclipse happening in Sydney, July 22, 2028. Put it in your diary and you're welcome to come by for the experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_22,_2028
November 18th, 2012 at 5:51:57 AM
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Thanks for all the pictures, and comments; I've enjoyed this thread.
About the $50,000 stolen from me at the Mandalay Bay, that was part of a promotion loosely based on Deal or No Deal, but players could steal cases from each other. Somebody stole my $50,000 case, which was the largest amount.
Count me in for the 2028 Sydney eclipse! I see it will be a pretty long one, lasting up to 5:10. You just had one visible in northern Australia. Did you go? Of coruse, consider yourself invited to our own on August 21, 2017. I'm planning to watch it from Idaho Falls. Who wants to join me? I recently purchased a telescope for it.
About the $50,000 stolen from me at the Mandalay Bay, that was part of a promotion loosely based on Deal or No Deal, but players could steal cases from each other. Somebody stole my $50,000 case, which was the largest amount.
Count me in for the 2028 Sydney eclipse! I see it will be a pretty long one, lasting up to 5:10. You just had one visible in northern Australia. Did you go? Of coruse, consider yourself invited to our own on August 21, 2017. I'm planning to watch it from Idaho Falls. Who wants to join me? I recently purchased a telescope for it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 18th, 2012 at 9:02:44 PM
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Quote: WizardThanks for all the pictures, and comments; I've enjoyed this thread.
About the $50,000 stolen from me at the Mandalay Bay, that was part of a promotion loosely based on Deal or No Deal, but players could steal cases from each other. Somebody stole my $50,000 case, which was the largest amount.
Count me in for the 2028 Sydney eclipse! I see it will be a pretty long one, lasting up to 5:10. You just had one visible in northern Australia. Did you go? Of coruse, consider yourself invited to our own on August 21, 2017. I'm planning to watch it from Idaho Falls. Who wants to join me? I recently purchased a telescope for it.
If you can remind me a year earlier, I'll go. I don't remember our first meeting, but I certainly remember our last..... Mike treated me and my two lady friends from Buffalo at the Riviera Steakhouse. Pictures to follow......
November 19th, 2012 at 1:12:17 AM
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Quote: MichaelBluejayI was searching for technical info on slot machines circa August or September 2000, found TheWizardOfOdds.com (the old domain), corresponded briefly, and then made arrangements to meet him in Atlantic City in October that year. We worked together for about ten years after that. He started being the Wizard three years before I met him, in 1997. Anyone here know him or at least discover his site before I did?
Haven't met The Wizard yet but came across the wizardofodds.com in 1999 or 2000 when looking for expert strategies for casino games.
November 19th, 2012 at 10:28:47 AM
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Let's see...I came across the Wizard of Odds website back in early 2010 (January or March?) while trying to figure out what the hell is going on at a Craps table. I really enjoyed the mathematical, no-bullshit take on casino games. Since then it has always been my first choice when looking for information on casino gaming odds.
As to the WoV forums, I don't remember exactly how I stumbled over here...I think the first thread I read extensively was about the online casino that was cheating at craps (I can't find a link to that thread now) by weighting the 7 to come up heavily after a point was established (and vice-versa on DP bets). My first post was on the epic "Craps Strategy Investment Opportunity" thread by the venerable 98steps. I wonder how his investment opportunity is going??
I met the Wizard in person in March 2012 to purchase a couple of his gold coins...we agreed on a spot price of $1710/oz plus a reasonable premium for the American Eagle coins. Gold is currently trading at $1733/oz.
As to the WoV forums, I don't remember exactly how I stumbled over here...I think the first thread I read extensively was about the online casino that was cheating at craps (I can't find a link to that thread now) by weighting the 7 to come up heavily after a point was established (and vice-versa on DP bets). My first post was on the epic "Craps Strategy Investment Opportunity" thread by the venerable 98steps. I wonder how his investment opportunity is going??
I met the Wizard in person in March 2012 to purchase a couple of his gold coins...we agreed on a spot price of $1710/oz plus a reasonable premium for the American Eagle coins. Gold is currently trading at $1733/oz.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
November 19th, 2012 at 11:54:45 AM
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Never met Michael but I am sure I came across his site when I was trying to find out more about Craps besides the basics. That must have been about 1998.
Have played chess with him though... during our WoV online tournament.
Have played chess with him though... during our WoV online tournament.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell! She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
November 19th, 2012 at 1:25:22 PM
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Let me know about the next online chess tournament! I'm not very good, only about 1400, but I like to play.
I run Easy Vegas ( https://easy.vegas )
November 21st, 2012 at 4:57:46 PM
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Met the Wizard at G2E 2010. He was the first person to show up at my booth, day 1. Little did I know that there would not be much traffic to the back row at this conference. Was happy to finally meet the legend in person. He wore his WoO shirt. At this G2E, I might have been 1 of 2 game developers with a booth that was going solo.
Was so busy, did not have much of a chance to "chill" out with him, but definetly would like to hang out with him the next time I am in Vegas.
Was so busy, did not have much of a chance to "chill" out with him, but definetly would like to hang out with him the next time I am in Vegas.
Edward Snowden is not the criminal, the government is for violating the constitution!
November 21st, 2012 at 5:20:19 PM
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Isn't Wizard with Venetian, Vegas as a table game guru?
November 21st, 2012 at 6:03:50 PM
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Quote: UCivanIsn't Wizard with Venetian, Vegas as a table game guru?
Please do not mention Venetian andWwiz in the same sentence !
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
November 21st, 2012 at 6:06:29 PM
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not even as a question? Sorry.
November 21st, 2012 at 6:10:40 PM
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They did not part in a friendly manner. Unless you think it is friendly to tell a loyal employee upon his arrival at work: " Clean out your desk. Your services are no longer needed. " Didn't even add on " Have a nice day. "
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
