WIZARD, are you a Gambler?
However I saw you later in your video and you said you are a Gambler. It is in your blood, you said. Knowing as much maths as you do I could not understand that. I mean in the long run you will definitely lose in the casino. Right.
Liking advantage gambling doesn't really answer the question.
Wizard, you have said that you don't like to bet if you don't feel that you have an edge (which is a feeling shared by many on this forum). But I also believe that you have said that you like to play pai gow (tiles), for example. I know absolutely nothing about the game (it's the only common casino game that I don't know how to play), but AFAIK there are no advantage plays there (are there?)
So, do you split things up between "advantage gambling" and "entertainment gambling" in your mind? Or is there some edge in pai gow (like, if you play well enough, do your comps outweigh your expected loss?)
Again, I will completely understand if you prefer not to answer, but I have always been a bit curious to know how you approached this.
Quote: WizardWhat can I say? Three Super Bowl safeties in a row, and 4 out of the last six Super Bowls. Not to mention the two-point conversion. It was definitely an awful game for me.
The Wizard has always been straightforward in telling stories about his betting (mostly sports bet). He told us that he gambled $50K on the Academy Awards a few years ago.
I would say that qualifies him as a gambler. But he has been very clear that gambling is not his primary source of income. A "professional gambler" is almost by definition, a poker player.
Since you seem to be driven by house advantage, do you actually play for fun anywhere (whether floor games, machines or poker), or do you only do blackjack counting and/or video poker with progressives over a target amount? Or do you not actually play at all? I think a lot of your "readers" would be interested in that, but you may not want your hosts to know!
— Anonymous
The only time I might play for fun is if I am entertaining somebody visiting Vegas and am just out gambling with them. Otherwise I always look for an edge. I also play new games sometimes just to ensure that I understand the rules correctly. I don’t want to give away all my secrets but card counting and positive expectation video poker are definitely two games in my bag of tricks.
Quote: JimRockfordFrom WoO. I am not sure how old it is.
Since you seem to be driven by house advantage, do you actually play for fun anywhere (whether floor games, machines or poker), or do you only do blackjack counting and/or video poker with progressives over a target amount? Or do you not actually play at all? I think a lot of your "readers" would be interested in that, but you may not want your hosts to know!
— Anonymous
The only time I might play for fun is if I am entertaining somebody visiting Vegas and am just out gambling with them. Otherwise I always look for an edge. I also play new games sometimes just to ensure that I understand the rules correctly. I don’t want to give away all my secrets but card counting and positive expectation video poker are definitely two games in my bag of tricks.
That jives with what I know of the Wizard. He will play -EV games occasionally with friends/forum members. Although I have not witnessed it in person, I have heard tell of the occurrence :).
Quote: AcesAndEights... I have heard tell of the occurrence :).
The last time I played because I was "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" it didn't exactly end well. Live and learn.
Quote: WizardThe last time I played because I was "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" it didn't exactly end well. Live and learn.
lol
Quote: WizardThe last time I played because I was "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" it didn't exactly end well. Live and learn.
I'm coming to town next week. Want to change that? I promise I won't try to "Lucky Tap" your chips.
Quote: WizardThe last time I played because I was "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" it didn't exactly end well. Live and learn.
I have a feeling you went into that experience expecting it to not go well, or at the very least you were ready for just about anything
Quote: WizardThe last time I played because I was "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" it didn't exactly end well. Live and learn.
Now you really get me worried. You are a Gambler.
It is not just this time "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" and losing money. From memory you played BJ (with CSM) in Macau and then played Baccarat with HK$1000 single bet and lost. This doesn't sound like "advantage gambling". If I dig through your website I am sure there are other similar occasions.
"I would say that qualifies him as a gambler. But he has been very clear that gambling is not his primary source of income. A "professional gambler" is almost by definition, a poker player." by pacomartin.
Excuse me, Gamblers almost by definition lose money not make money and there is a negative "primary source of income".
"Wizard, you have said that you don't like to bet if you don't feel that you have an edge (which is a feeling shared by many on this forum). But I also believe that you have said that you like to play pai gow (tiles), for example. I know absolutely nothing about the game (it's the only common casino game that I don't know how to play), but AFAIK there are no advantage plays there (are there?)" by AxiomOfChoice.
Yes I like to know also.
Quote: Deck007Now you really get me worried.
You created a brand new account because you're "worried" about this??? You have a little too much time on your hands. lol...
Quote: Beethoven9thYou created a brand new account because you're "worried" about this??? You have a little too much time on your hands. lol...
Yes I am a retired senior citizen. Isn't a forum like this just right for people like us.
Quote: Deck007"Wizard, you have said that you don't like to bet if you don't feel that you have an edge (which is a feeling shared by many on this forum). But I also believe that you have said that you like to play pai gow (tiles), for example. I know absolutely nothing about the game (it's the only common casino game that I don't know how to play), but AFAIK there are no advantage plays there (are there?)" by AxiomOfChoice.
Yes I like to know also.
I'd just like to point out that, while your tone seems somewhat accusatory, I was just curious (and don't have any problems with gambling for advantage, entertainment, or both)
You say "gambler" like it's a bad thing. This is a gambling forum. We are all gamblers.
Quote: Deck007Now you really get me worried. You are a Gambler.
It is not just this time "entertaining somebody visiting Vegas" and losing money. From memory you played BJ (with CSM) in Macau and then played Baccarat with HK$1000 single bet and lost. This doesn't sound like "advantage gambling". If I dig through your website I am sure there are other similar occasions.
"I would say that qualifies him as a gambler. But he has been very clear that gambling is not his primary source of income. A "professional gambler" is almost by definition, a poker player." by pacomartin.
Excuse me, Gamblers almost by definition lose money not make money and there is a negative "primary source of income".
"Wizard, you have said that you don't like to bet if you don't feel that you have an edge (which is a feeling shared by many on this forum). But I also believe that you have said that you like to play pai gow (tiles), for example. I know absolutely nothing about the game (it's the only common casino game that I don't know how to play), but AFAIK there are no advantage plays there (are there?)" by AxiomOfChoice.
Yes I like to know also.
What is your issue, Deck? You seem overly concerned about this, which is really strange, given that you signed up on a gambler's forum owned by the guy you're somehow looking to judge about gambling.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceYou say "gambler" like it's a bad thing. This is a gambling forum. We are all gamblers.
I'm not putting down anybody who gambles. I wouldn't have spent 17 years making a site about gambling if I looked down on it. At this point in my wife, at 48 with three kids in private school, I don't have the time to just sit down and play a negative game by myself for fun. However, if a friend is in town and wants to play then I'll make an exception and play a little. For example, Mission wrote in his trip report that I played Derby with him for a while. If I had more time I'm sure I'd be playing more.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceI'd just like to point out that, while your tone seems somewhat accusatory, I was just curious (and don't have any problems with gambling for advantage, entertainment, or both)
You say "gambler" like it's a bad thing. This is a gambling forum. We are all gamblers.
"Accusatory" I was just quoting you.
I have no problem with gambling as an entertainment or recreation. In fact I am one of them.
But gambling for advantage or for "primary source of income" is not real unless you stick to "blackjack counting and/or video poker ".
With the Wizard maths background I just could not understand why he is a Gambler like many others who contribute M$ or B$ to the casinos.
b) Don't assume that advantage players aren't gamblers.
He can stand on the corner of LV Boulevard and Flamingo and hand out cold, hard cash to everyone walking past for all I care.
I'm confused
Quote: TomspurHe can stand on the corner of LV Boulevard and Flamingo and hand out cold, hard cash to everyone walking past for all I care.
I care! Please let me know what day this is happening.
