The King James (grosjean) blog
http://beyondnumbers.lvablog.com
A week before this blog, I posted on BJ21 about back to back, losing 5 figure days, the first back to back such days of my career. Apparently this somehow irritated James and was the 'inspiration' for this work as the first two quote are taken word for word from my post.
Now, let me just say that I certainly was not 'commiserating', just sharing my experiences as I have both good and bad, throughout my career on various sites that I participate on. I do this in the hopes that other members may learn something from my experiences, just as I have benefited so much from other member's sharing of experiences.
James is a great talent, with abilities and knowledge that I only wish I had a fraction of. But he seems to have this need to belittle others and does so often. Sadly this is a common element of the blackjack community which has played itself out on a number of sites during my time. It is sad, I really don't get it. Does belittling other players make one feel better about themselves, make their penis a little bigger? "Can someone explain it to me like I am a 4 year old?" (Denzel Washington courtroom quote from the movie Philadelphia)
Quote: kewljI don't visit LVA regularly and only read the blog when someone on one of the sites that I visit, links to it....usually EvenBob. (what happened EB, you dropped the ball on this one).
This? https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/16332-james-grosjean-blog/3/
I started it months ago, you just posted in it recently.
Nothing wrong with dropping a ball, you on the other
hand seem totally lost.
Quote: EvenBobThis? https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/16332-james-grosjean-blog/3/
I started it months ago, you just posted in it recently.
Nothing wrong with dropping a ball, you on the other
hand seem totally lost.
Ok, I did recently post in that thread, you are correct. Although when I posted the topic seemed to have morph into the bathroom walls of LVH (via wizard), and that is what I responded to. By the way, those walls with the lady's pointing an laughing have been changed in the last week or so...no more ladies.
I was only funning that you dropped the ball Bob. I am quite capable of reading the blog without a link. It's just that usually one of the Grosjean cult members will link on one of the sites. lol
So, how is it that I am totally lost? I'm afraid, I AM lost on that one. I don't understand your meaning?
the Grosjean blog and linking to it, when not only
HAD I linked to it months ago, you YOURSELF had
posted in it!! That looks fairly lost to me, wouldn't
you say? You can't remember a thread to the point
that you imply I'm the one that's out of it and not
you? And I'm the one that's too old to understand
the lame humor of a Jimmy Fallon. Gimme a break.
Quote: kewljDoes belittling other players make one feel better about themselves, make their penis a little bigger? "Can someone explain it to me like I am a 4 year old?" (Denzel Washington courtroom quote from the movie Philadelphia)
So the lower part of daddy is like Pinochios nose. It grows bigger when he tells a lie. But instead of telling a lie it's when he sees hot women.
Anyway, the Grosjean blogs do seem to give off a bit of smugness, maybe he is just sick and tired of the BS he puts up with at casinos and just wants it to end. If this is the case I don't understand why he doesn't retire. I guess the money's too good to bow out, but advantage play kinda kills the compassionate side of you since you're out for blood everyday, as well as the naive excitement of winning money.
Quote: djatc
Anyway, the Grosjean blogs do seem to give off a bit of smugness
A significant blog in the VP world has this issue too, imo. A much more modest person quit being his radio partner for various reasons.
Unfortunately, this is what some intelligent people tend to do to make up for the times they were bullied in school, imo.
Quote: tringlomaneA significant blog in the VP world has this issue too, imo. A much more modest person quit being his radio partner for various reasons.
Unfortunately, this is what some intelligent people tend to do to make up for the times they were bullied in school, imo.
I can't speak on anyone else but myself, but being in casinos every day makes me lose a bit of my human side, which is helpful and cordial to others. I'm surrounded by 100% of people who are there for money and nothing but, myself included. Because of casinos cramming in slots and video poker everywhere to maximize revenue, there is literally no room to walk around people to get to where I want to. The people there are tourists ogling slot machines, and I don't blame them, but they move at a snail's pace and block access to my destination. Also I hate drunks because they can't control their liquor, and do stupid things like bump into me or make loud stupid noises right by my ear. Also the degenerate gamblers who ask me for money or pregnant women who do the same. The homeless guys/girls on the streetlight who beg for money with signs, and I know for damn well they aren't going to buy a sandwich, instead they are sticking quarters in a machine as soon as they get enough money.
Also the business is pretty cutthroat because anytime money's involved people turn cold blooded. I haven't seen anything too crazy such as people fighting each other for a must hit by but people will be breathing down your neck if you see one and sit down. I've had people hawking me on an Ultimate X because they must have thought I was a tourist. This was in a high-end casino so the denoms were pretty huge by UX standards.
Add the pit bosses and floormen who want to see you lose, even though they put on a smile and say to you that they want you to win. Winning players are bad for a table games supervisor. They prefer to see you lose your buy-in + your rent money, and come back in 2 weeks when you get your paycheck. I remember kewlj talking about paycheck bonuses at many casinos, and to me I believe in free markets so casinos should be able to do whatever they want to get your money, but it just looks uncomfortable and in bad taste to offer a "free" drink for cashing a paycheck when most of the patrons who do so probably don't make that much to begin with.
Take a look at a slot machine and the seat is usually filled by people who are looking downward and dejected when they thought they would win a fortune. Usually these people busted out with their bankroll and probably the bankroll was going to pay rent/food/bills. The nice guy who sat down at a video poker machine starts to get agitated by the dwindling credits and starts to curse louder and louder until he blows up and runs out of the casinos as fast as possible so people don't know he lost all his money. Even worse if their spouse comes by and finds they lost a ton (relative to their income) and the walk of shame afterwards.
I've come across a lot of employees buying in with their tips and losing it all in a flash, then they look extremely angry, like they were supposed to win because they are in the "know" working for a casino. The zombified look on some dealer's faces if they are allowed to gamble at their own casino as they deplete their tokes (not much since they are low roller joints if employees are allowed to gamble) and going back to work do it all over again. The cocktail waitress who loses her tokes on the bartops on keno, who stays the entire night until her shift starts again.
You see this over and over everyday and start to see humanity at it's worst, boiled down to capitalism at work, with people wanting more and more. They will gamble their own money for more, oblivious to the house edge or know just enough to say it won't affect me in any way.
On the flip side, I've seen high rollers in high limit rooms go on temper tantrums akin to a 5 year old, and the dealers and pit bosses can't do anything about it since the idiot is betting $1000 a hand. The high roller treats everyone like crap and gets away with it because the casino wants his money. Both are to blame, since the high roller should be reprimanded about his behavior, and the casino employees should stand up for themselves without punishment.
Sorry for the long winded post but casinos breed a horrible environment for people to thrive in. If you're a regular or work there all these factors set into you everyday, and I can see how it turns people ugly.
Quote: tringlomaneI appreciate the story, but this story doesn't fully explain why these guys are smug. Your story more reminds me why I need to find a job with my degree.
lol I need to go to school to get a degree. Anyway I don't wanna go too off-topic, but the reason why I wrote that was to show what the pros probably see everyday, which makes them feel either compassion for people, or to go off the other end and start to devalue empathy for the sake of the "job" or "play". You can't start to feel sorry for every ploppy that loses his butt in the casino or you'll run yourself crazy.
Quote: djatclol I need to go to school to get a degree. Anyway I don't wanna go too off-topic, but the reason why I wrote that was to show what the pros probably see everyday, which makes them feel either compassion for people, or to go off the other end and start to devalue empathy for the sake of the "job" or "play". You can't start to feel sorry for every ploppy that loses his butt in the casino or you'll run yourself crazy.
Fair enough. The happy medium is probably the most difficult attitude to pull off. I can see that being the case. And I think kewlj is a fine example of this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7gIkXmRYvw
Quote: djatcSorry for the long winded post but casinos breed a horrible environment for people to thrive in.
Yes, casinos are evil places, I say it all the time. They
thrive on greed and deception, and the fantasy of
getting something for nothing. It isn't 'capitalism
at work', it's the opposite of capitalism. It's having
to do almost nothing and expecting to be rewarded
for it. Being around people who believe this will jade
you and wear you down after awhile.
"When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't
change. The devil changes you." You have to learn
to be above it and apart from it, or it will suck you
in and you'll become just like the people you despise.
Sounds like you're already on the way..
ThanksQuote: odiousgambitvarious versions of this have been made, I don't seem to get tired of them. This is a Grosjean version, seems to be the same guy we are talking about here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7gIkXmRYvw
I cannot imagine a life where the place I work every day is an environment I consider horrible around people I consider (figuratively) ugly. Life is short, you are smart. Of all the possible lives you could have had, this is the one you chose. Why did you do it? Surely you could have used your talents and intelligence to develop a skill that would place you daily around people you like in an environment you consider good.Quote: djatcSorry for the long winded post but casinos breed a horrible environment for people to thrive in. If you're a regular or work there all these factors set into you everyday, and I can see how it turns people ugly.
Quote: teliotI cannot imagine a life where the place I work every day is full of people I consider horrible in a place I consider evil.
LOL, that's completely standard. Maybe he should go work for the IRS so he can feel better about himself.
Sorry for the edit after my post, you slightly misquoted me as a result. That said, your response does nothing to answer the question. There are plenty of jobs, surely he could have found one better for himself given his view of horrible/ugly.Quote: gpac1377LOL, that's completely standard. Maybe he should go work for the IRS so he can feel better about himself.
Quote: teliotThere are plenty of jobs, surely he could have found one better for himself given his view of horrible/ugly.
I don't know his precise situation, but most jobs are unpleasant and stressful, IMO. I suspect someone like Grosjean would be equally bitter at this point had he pursued a conventional career.
The comments in this thread are focused toward the negative aspects of advantage play, but there are many positives, including supreme flexibility. For example, if the casino environment becomes too oppressive, online possibilities are available.
Well said, Eliot. The casino lifestyle is not really a "living." That's just my opinion and my experience.Quote: teliotI cannot imagine a life where the place I work every day is an environment I consider horrible around people I consider (figuratively) ugly. Life is short, you are smart. Of all the possible lives you could have had, this is the one you chose. Why did you do it? Surely you could have used your talents and intelligence to develop a skill that would place you daily around people you like in an environment you consider good.
Actually an IRS enrolled agent was/is one of my dream jobs. (I'm not kidding!) Certified Fraud Examiner is pretty cool, too. (For some reason, I like being on the enforcement side).
Oh, come on...Quote: kewljIt's just that usually one of the Grosjean cult members will link on one of the sites. lol
Quote: gpac1377LOL, that's completely standard. Maybe he should go work for the IRS so he can feel better about himself.
Well, you know, if at first you don't succeed, claim that you are too good for it and move on to something else.
Quote: teddysWell said, Eliot. The casino lifestyle is not really a "living." That's just my opinion and my experience.
Actually an IRS enrolled agent was/is one of my dream jobs. (I'm not kidding!) Certified Fraud Examiner is pretty cool, too. (For some reason, I like being on the enforcement side).
Have you considered working in gaming regulation?
Quote: teliotI cannot imagine a life where the place I work every day is an environment I consider horrible around people I consider (figuratively) ugly. Life is short, you are smart. Of all the possible lives you could have had, this is the one you chose. Why did you do it? Surely you could have used your talents and intelligence to develop a skill that would place you daily around people you like in an environment you consider good.
Well anything in life has it's ups and downs, and each person must weigh the two and figure if it's worth the cons. It's not 100% horrible, nor is it a cakewalk. Many people are in jobs they hate, having to wake up each day early to go grind it out, come home, and repeat the process. Asking them why they do it is going to get the same answer, they need the money and it's something they can stand doing for the pay.
I lead a dual life because my "job" is with the military and while I'm not there every day, it keeps me grounded and somewhat sane throughout the process of advantage gambling. It's a complete 180 since I am not surrounded by the same type of clientele as the casino. It's a job I enjoy doing even if the pay isn't that great because I feel I am doing a service to my country in the capacity I can.
The reason why I wrote the TLDR was to give people perhaps a glimpse of what JG sees and to give perspective to why his attitude is how it is. I still think that he is a bit extreme in his views on how he sees people.
Also what I do is fun at times, don't get me wrong. I made great friends and relationships with others who are trustworthy, and honest. Being a lone ranger in this business can destroy yourself. You need support to get through the bad times, just like a poker player needs people to listen to his bad beat stories. To gamble for a living is to do everything right and still have the possibility of ending up wrong, but as long as you trust the math it'll work itself out. Human nature is to worry during a downswing or running bad, thinking it's YOU yourself instead of looking at it as "variance".
Quote: djatc
The reason why I wrote the TLDR was to give people perhaps a glimpse of what JG sees.
Grosjean has seen who these people really are,
what they're like behind closed doors when all
the veneer is stripped away. They aren't your
friendly banker or loan company officer. They
run a cutthroat business that's after every dime
you have. And no, sorry, Starbucks and your
barber and the guy who owns the local UPS store
have a different business model than the casino
does.
Quote: teddysWell said, Eliot. The casino lifestyle is not really a "living." That's just my opinion and my experience.
Actually an IRS enrolled agent was/is one of my dream jobs. (I'm not kidding!) Certified Fraud Examiner is pretty cool, too. (For some reason, I like being on the enforcement side).
OH NO, Will the Darkside gain a new recruit ? What a shame !
Quote: teliotI cannot imagine a life where the place I work every day is an environment I consider horrible around people I consider (figuratively) ugly. Life is short, you are smart. Of all the possible lives you could have had, this is the one you chose. Why did you do it? Surely you could have used your talents and intelligence to develop a skill that would place you daily around people you like in an environment you consider good.
The thing that seperates most APs from a regular casino degenerate is that they've learned one trick and can perform it semi well. Most are idiots that lucked into something. I've always been impressed by guys that seem to know a lot about everything rather than guys that have one trick but have made a lot of money with it. Just like in the real world, there are very intelligent, trustworthy people out there. You would make a good AP, not because you are good at math but because you seem to enjoy spending tons of hours scouting with little/no return. For all the hate that Elliot gets, I'd be happy to be on any team he was on. That same reason that drives you is a big part of what makes people successful - a desire to learn, and using money only to keep score.
Quote: tongniThe thing that seperates most APs from a regular casino degenerate is that they've learned one trick and can perform it semi well. Most are idiots that lucked into something. I've always been impressed by guys that seem to know a lot about everything rather than guys that have one trick but have made a lot of money with it. Just like in the real world, there are very intelligent, trustworthy people out there. You would make a good AP, not because you are good at math but because you seem to enjoy spending tons of hours scouting with little/no return. For all the hate that Elliot gets, I'd be happy to be on any team he was on. That same reason that drives you is a big part of what makes people successful - a desire to learn, and using money only to keep score.
Excellent demonstration of creating false premises.
