Thread Rating:

darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 9:40:59 AM permalink
In 1999, Andres Martinez convinced a book publisher to give him a $50,000 advance on his first non-fiction piece. The deal was, he would go to Las Vegas and use the advance to go on a gambling spree.

If it sounds like an ultimate hustle, its not. Andres still had to deliver the book about his experiences. Of course, he did deliver (and we can assume got paid the next installments) and the result is the book, 24/7 - Doubling Down in the New Las Vegas.

As the book is over two decades old I don't know if it qualifies as the New Las Vegas anymore but it is interesting to see some of the things that were happening in that year. For example, the Venetian was just underway as a proposal and the author laughs at the idea of real gondolas for riding in the Venice-simulated waters which were promoted as one of the upcoming attractions.

On a day to day basis, we are treated to a log of Andres ups and down with his bankroll. There are quite a few humorous moments although I would not classify this book as laugh out loud. Besides the gambling action, we are also given historical info on Vegas and run-ins with the myriad weird people who he comes across on his travels. It might actually have made a good reality travel show in todays time.

Andres is not an advantage gambler. Although he plays basic strategy Blackjack and understands the concepts of card counting, he does not card count. He also plays roulette and baccarat (employing what he calls the "dopey" experiment at one point where he bets on a single number in roulette for 35 spins hoping that it will hit at least once so he breaks even at worst. Nonetheless, he manages to get quite lucky for most of his trip at one point being up over $17,000.

I won't give away his final results but the inevitable finally happens and to a large extent, it was all his own fault.

However, as an AP maneuver, convincing a book publisher to finance your entire bankroll may go down as one of the most unique AP maneuvers in history.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
djatc
djatc
  • Threads: 83
  • Posts: 4477
Joined: Jan 15, 2013
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:21:49 AM permalink
If he ran out of money or was close to it he could have just went to the Plaza
"Man Babes" #AxelFabulous
Wizardofnothing
Wizardofnothing
  • Threads: 121
  • Posts: 3493
Joined: Jul 3, 2015
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:41:23 AM permalink
You won't give away the ending of the book? Why ? Because you don't share info? Or because it would effect the authors pocket?
No longer hiring, don’t ask because I won’t hire you either
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:46:37 AM permalink
Quote: Wizardofnothing

You won't give away the ending of the book? Why ? Because you don't share info? Or because it would effect the authors pocket?



For real, lol?

You're really grasping at straws now, aren't you?

I don't give away the endings to any book because people who want to read them want to be surprised.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Wizardofnothing
Wizardofnothing
  • Threads: 121
  • Posts: 3493
Joined: Jul 3, 2015
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:47:43 AM permalink
It's not any different...
I'm not going to comment anymore on it... One day when you lose a play because someone outs it to more people then already know you will see.
No longer hiring, don’t ask because I won’t hire you either
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:51:30 AM permalink
Quote: Wizardofnothing

It's not any different...
I'm not going to comment anymore on it... One day when you lose a play because someone outs it to more people then already know you will see.



I don't do nationally advertised plays.

You will find that helps a lot with secrecy.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Wizardofnothing
Wizardofnothing
  • Threads: 121
  • Posts: 3493
Joined: Jul 3, 2015
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:52:56 AM permalink
That was beyond a crazy statement do make,
You play for mail, I'll bet you every casino you play at nationally promotes their players club, are you saying you don't take advantage of the mail?
No longer hiring, don’t ask because I won’t hire you either
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:07:03 AM permalink
Quote: Wizardofnothing

That was beyond a crazy statement do make,
You play for mail, I'll bet you every casino you play at nationally promotes their players club, are you saying you don't take advantage of the mail?



The way that I do even the casinos have no clue. You certainly don't.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Wizardofnothing
Wizardofnothing
  • Threads: 121
  • Posts: 3493
Joined: Jul 3, 2015
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:49:58 PM permalink
Ha. lol that's hysterical
No longer hiring, don’t ask because I won’t hire you either
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:54:25 PM permalink
Quote: Wizardofnothing

Ha. lol that's hysterical



I know you don't because if you were able to do lucrative plays like I do you would not waste 10 minutes making $11.50 vulturing ultimate X.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Wizardofnothing
Wizardofnothing
  • Threads: 121
  • Posts: 3493
Joined: Jul 3, 2015
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:56:58 PM permalink
You think I vulture for profit? Loll loll now I give you less credit then I did before ..... Stay in New York you'll get rich on the plays in two or three casinos ,,;, just make sure you disclose them on here since it will help you sell that book, oh yea, forgot maybe there is a nyc bus hustle
No longer hiring, don’t ask because I won’t hire you either
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 1:09:20 PM permalink
Quote: Wizardofnothing

You think I vulture for profit? Loll loll now I give you less credit then I did before ..... Stay in New York you'll get rich on the plays in two or three casinos ,,;, just make sure you disclose them on here since it will help you sell that book, oh yea, forgot maybe there is a nyc bus hustle



You are quite right. You clearly are not profiting from vulturing.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Romes
Romes
  • Threads: 29
  • Posts: 5600
Joined: Jul 22, 2014
April 22nd, 2016 at 1:30:55 PM permalink
Quote: darkoz

...However, as an AP maneuver, convincing a book publisher to finance your entire bankroll may go down as one of the most unique AP maneuvers in history.

If he convinced the publisher to subsidize his bankroll, then yes, AP play... If he was going to get paid the $50k either way and got an 'advance' on it, then he was still gambling this his own money... not really that AP.
Playing it correctly means you've already won.
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:18:26 PM permalink
Quote: Romes

If he convinced the publisher to subsidize his bankroll, then yes, AP play... If he was going to get paid the $50k either way and got an 'advance' on it, then he was still gambling this his own money... not really that AP.



Yea, its kind of both. He definitely got paid to write the book but the book's hook was he would receive the money so he could gamble and then document it.

So, its earned money that's his and also a unique way of obtaining a fifty grand bankroll for an gambling spree.

He got to keep the money left over after the 30 days no matter what the amount was to be.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Hunterhill
Hunterhill
  • Threads: 53
  • Posts: 2145
Joined: Aug 1, 2011
April 22nd, 2016 at 4:00:22 PM permalink
The book was kinda boring, however there were a few nuggets in the book that lead to some really good plays.
The mountain is tall but grass grows on top of the mountain.
BleedingChipsSlowly
BleedingChipsSlowly
  • Threads: 23
  • Posts: 1033
Joined: Jul 9, 2010
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:34:03 PM permalink
It strikes me the publisher was the real gambler, hoping he had chosen an author capable of writing a story that would not only cover his investment, but provide a profit. Thanks for the post, darkoz. That's all. No mas.
“You don’t bring a bone saw to a negotiation.” - Robert Jordan, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 296
  • Posts: 11419
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2016 at 9:00:23 PM permalink
Quote: BleedingChipsSlowly

It strikes me the publisher was the real gambler, hoping he had chosen an author capable of writing a story that would not only cover his investment, but provide a profit. Thanks for the post, darkoz. That's all. No mas.



You're quite welcome.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
PokerGrinder
PokerGrinder
  • Threads: 26
  • Posts: 5013
Joined: Apr 30, 2015
July 15th, 2016 at 10:55:22 AM permalink
I finished reading 24/7 about a month ago and completely forgot to post here. I really enjoyed the book, some of the stories of the people he met didn't interest me much. The talk of "old" Vegas that I as a 25 year old never got to see was really interesting. I really enjoy the history of Vegas and how it came to be what it is today. It was cool how he is talking abou Paris, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio being built and Wynn and Venetian are not even a thought yet at this point. These are the parts of the strip that I can't imagine not existing. The only changes to the strip since I started going to Vegas are Bill's becoming Cromwell, SLS opening and Quad becoming the Linq.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
billryan
billryan
  • Threads: 240
  • Posts: 16282
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
July 15th, 2016 at 11:17:25 AM permalink
TK Kenyon wrote a novella about the best AP move I've ever come across. It's called The Law of Large Numbers and while it's sort of based on a real event, names and circumstances have been changed to protect the moronic people involved.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
AxelWolf
AxelWolf
  • Threads: 164
  • Posts: 22272
Joined: Oct 10, 2012
July 15th, 2016 at 11:58:32 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

TK Kenyon wrote a novella about the best AP move I've ever come across. It's called The Law of Large Numbers and while it's sort of based on a real event, names and circumstances have been changed to protect the moronic people involved.

Can you elaborate ? I looking it up and it sounded like financial story. found 1 review.....

logan stadnick rated it did not like it
Meh

"Kind of boring and lame if you ask me, this stupid review sh^t sucks serious balls too what the funk"
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
billryan
billryan
  • Threads: 240
  • Posts: 16282
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
July 15th, 2016 at 1:39:42 PM permalink
Are you sure you have the right book. There is a financial book with the same name.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
billryan
billryan
  • Threads: 240
  • Posts: 16282
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
July 15th, 2016 at 1:45:38 PM permalink
Are you sure you have the right book. There is a financial book with the same name.
Google TK Kenyon, it's an ebook you can download for free.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
AxelWolf
AxelWolf
  • Threads: 164
  • Posts: 22272
Joined: Oct 10, 2012
July 15th, 2016 at 7:14:42 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

Are you sure you have the right book. There is a financial book with the same name.
Google TK Kenyon, it's an ebook you can download for free.

Auto correct meant fictional.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
billionaireben
billionaireben
  • Threads: 20
  • Posts: 79
Joined: Jun 29, 2011
August 12th, 2016 at 10:23:32 PM permalink
These days, $50k on a book would be pretty good. Over the years, it can make some money; but getting it all at once gives a chance to make money with money. I'd give him props if he at least used it to get a loss rebate (maybe a tad low for that, but maybe in the form of discounts on debt.) Other than that, if he has a losing game; he'd be better off putting the money in real estate (1999 was a slow time for real estate, he could have made millions with leverage.)
  • Jump to: