read all the questions we've asked, and answered
none of them. Kind of says it all, I think.
Oh, wait a minute, why is that book on Ebay. The author says it would be all word of mouth advertising ?
Quote: buzzpaffI do know of one member who is considering buying the book for $90. Now the author wants to charge him an additional 12.95 for shipping. Yet on his Ebay listing for the same $90 shipping via USPS Priority mail is included.
Oh, wait a minute, why is that book on Ebay. The author says it would be all word of mouth advertising ?
Buy it from Ebay, he only takes PayPal anyway. He has to honor the
no shipping agreement. 12.95 is insane for a book he can send media mail.
He has yet to reply to this question on a BJ forum either !
Quote: EvenBobBuy it from Ebay, he only takes PayPal anyway. He has to honor the
no shipping agreement. 12.95 is insane for a book he can send media mail.
Ebay listing expired today. I sell on Amazon. Flat rate priority mail is $5.05 and delivery conformation is .80.
other places. Casino surveillance isn't exactly run by brain surgeons. The
average employee makes about 12 bucks an hour.
Quote: buzzpaffI do know of one member who is considering buying the book for $90. Now the author wants to charge him an additional 12.95 for shipping. Yet on his Ebay listing for the same $90 shipping via USPS Priority mail is included.
Oh, wait a minute, why is that book on Ebay. The author says it would be all word of mouth advertising ?
What can I say, postal charges across a border mount up! There's the mounties, polar bears and penguins to pay off.
Quote: thecesspitWhat can I say, postal charges across a border mount up! There's the mounties, polar bears and penguins to pay off.
First class shipping of a book that size to CA is under
$4.00, look it up.
Has anyone, anywhere, radio commentators, forum moderators, actually seen and/or read the book. ANYBODY ????
I may have to write my own book !
" Due to an overwhelming response, this book is currently available only through referrals. "
Sold Zero on ebay on 10 day listing LOL
probably read the post where it was suggested one copy would be purchased and shared.
He did not list it properly. If you searched Black Dome it never showed, . same with casino or BJ. Only key word search that worked
was SURVEILLANCE.
On bj forum 140+ views, 1 request for info from Australia. My prospects for an appearance on at least Las vegas radio shows are on the rise. LOL
Would be even funnier except someone may have actually paid $90 for " DRIVEL " .
is almost non existent. Write a book, publish it yourself,
and sell it yourself. If you go thru a decent vanity press
house, they at least have a sales staff that will get your
book out there on Amazon and B&N. He's got nothing.
Quote: buzzpaff" Due to an overwhelming response, this book is currently available only through referrals. "
Sold Zero on ebay on 10 day listing LOL
Marketing a product through refusing to sell it, sounds legit.
The book is the closest thing you can have to shadowing a Las Vegas Surveillance Operator for a day.
_______________________
Yes, hole carding can be illegal. If a 'shiner' is used to catch a glimpse of the hole card, this is considered illegal. The subject is covered under Playing with Information.
Quote: TDaneI knew releasing this type of book can receive a strong reaction not just from the AP community but within the surveillance industry as well.
Do you have some reviews you can point us to showing thats true? All we know
so far is you want us to spend $90 on a book that has no publisher, no
reviews, and only the word of the author that its 'great'.
Would you spend $90 under those circumstances?
How many casino surveillance personnel are in the surveillance room?
How about Las Vegas casino's only; small-medium-large; slow night, busy night?
Is it up to the casino? Or the gaming commission?
Are there typical ratio's? [# table games / # surveillance operators]
_______________
Staffing depends on the size of the casino and it is up to them, not GCB. There are one man rooms and there are rooms that can staff multiple Operators. There are no table game/operator ratios. This is more for the suits.
For smaller properties, Gaming only requires that someone who knows how to work the system is on property 24/7.
____________________
The book has 150 pages cover to cover. With all respect to Cellini, unfortunately I can not compare since I have not read his book.
Quote: TDane
Staffing depends on the size of the casino and it is up to them, not GCB. There are one man rooms and there are rooms that can staff multiple Operators. There are no table game/operator ratios. This is more for the suits.
For smaller properties, Gaming only requires that someone who knows how to work the system is on property 24/7.
This is all common knowledge, covered in many books
on game protection. Have you read Steve Forte's book?
He covers all of this in exhaustive detail. Its called
Casino Game Protection and you can buy it used on
Amazon for $99.
so far is you want us to spend $90 on a book that has no publisher, no
reviews, and only the word of the author that its 'great'.
Would you spend $90 under those circumstances?
_____________
As you can see from my internet history, I am still in the early stage of releasing the book. There are plenty of self-published authors in the gaming industry. I just ultimately made that decision. Since I self-published, I also had to make the decision and stand firm on the price knowing that pricing is a sensitive issue. I just looked at history and priced my book close to what's currently out. And yes, with me knowing what the book contains - $90 is justified. But frankly, I'd rather sell one book in the hands of someone who can use and appreciate the information rather than 100 books in the hands of players who cannot see the value.
on game protection. Have you read Steve Forte's book?
He covers all of this in exhaustive detail. Its called
Casino Game Protection and you can buy it used on
Amazon for $99.
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Common or not, I simply answered a question.
Yes I have read Steve Forte's book.
I am a believer that every surveillance room should have a copy of Forte's Casino Game Protection: A Comprehensive Guide and Grosjean's Beyond Counting: Exhibit CAA.
My book is not a game protection book.
Quote: TDaneI'd rather sell one book in the hands of someone who can use and appreciate the information rather than 100 books in the hands of players who cannot see the value.
Here's the thing. Unless your book contains something Steve
Forte's 600 page definitive work on the subject does not, that we can
buy for $99, nobody will buy your book for $90. You certainly
have read Forte's book? It was very well received.
Forte's 600 page definitive work on the subject does not, that we can
buy for $99, nobody will buy your book for $90. You certainly
have read Forte's book? It was very well received.
____________________
From what I remember, Forte priced his book in the $200. If a player decides he wants to learn more about game protection, Forte's book is great. If a player is curious to know what it's really like to be in surveillance, then my book will do. Again, the amount of how many books I sell is the last thing I care about. But thank you for your opinion.
Quote: TDane
If a player is curious to know what it's really like to be in surveillance, then my book will do.
But why is that info worth $90? Lots of people work and have
worked in surveillance, its a boring underpaid job. Watch the
dealers, do skill checks on suspect players, watch for cheats.
What do you have that isn't covered in some other book? Why
is your book worth $90 and not $9.99?
worked in surveillance, its a boring underpaid job. Watch the
dealers, do skill checks on suspect players, watch for cheats.
What do you have that isn't covered in some other book? Why
is your book worth $90 and not $9.99?
______________________
Yes you are correct, surveillance are underpaid. Surveillance hate the fact that suits get paid more and majority of them are clueless when it comes to game protection. This is exactly the type of information that is contained. Just real talk. If you are an advantage player who think you should fear suits, you are mistaken. I am not advertising new ways of beating the house. Game protection will always be a step behind. I am simply sharing my experience to anyone who will be willing to listen. As I mentioned, the book is the closest thing to shadowing a Las Vegas Surveillance Operator. If you wanted to and was given the opportunity to sit in a real surveillance room for a day, are you saying that $9.99 would be the price? With me releasing this book, I am aware of the repercussions and that alone is not worth $9.99.
Casino Surveillance Book for Blackjack Card Counters
LOL
I'd rather sell one book in the hands of someone who can use and appreciate the information rather than 100 books in the hands of players who cannot see the value.
T Dane " It describes the relationship between Surveillance and AP’s and how they can avoid “tells” that are sure to bring heat. "
Does that not seem to be in conflict.
By D. V. Cellini
$49.99 (ship class B)
Quote: TDaneThe book is the closest thing you can have to shadowing a Las Vegas Surveillance Operator for a day.
If that's all, it isn't particularly valuable.
__________________________
Thank you and for the record I already offered Wiz a copy at no cost. And yes, I am new to posting in forums. Being on the other side of the fence, all I did was read them, not participate.
________________
Thank you for your opinion.
By D. V. Cellini
$49.99 (ship class B)
_____________________
I believe when Cellini's book came out in 2003, it was priced at $99 - I don't know what type of reaction he received from players then. After it was no longer in print, copies later sold twice the amount.
Again, I have all the respect for Cellini but I can not compare any more than that.
Quote: P90If that's all, it isn't particularly valuable.
I am quite curious as to what's in it, and hope that Wiz might shine some light once he receives his copy.
Personally, I think Surveillance is like cop work. It's not fancy tricks and secret procedures, it's all just simple stuff. It's a lot of really basic procedures that work, how well it works is determined by the person performing the task. I'd think anyone who's even begun the most basic AP work has looked into what Surv does, and anyone that looks probably knows as much as is needed. I've trained with Zender, Allison, Hoke, the best in the biz, and I bet most of the AP regulars here know every bit as much as me.
In a way, it's two sides of the same coin. You need to know AP to be an AP. I need to know AP to stop AP. We're basically performing the same job, just at opposing ends of the table. If you know AP, you know regular gaming. We both identify what AP does that's different than normal gamers. You try to camoflauge it, I try to expose it. It's not rocket surgery.
T Dane " It describes the relationship between Surveillance and AP’s and how they can avoid “tells” that are sure to bring heat. "
Does that not seem to be in conflict.
______________
Anybody in surveillance who reads my book will tell you it is not classified as a game protection book. Casinos are not my target audience. I did not write the book to save the casinos money. If anything, I wrote a book that may cost casinos money and I work for them. That's conflict. If the casinos get a hold of my book, it is up to them how to dissect my material, whether they decide to incorporate that information with their training will no longer be my concern.
Quote: FaceI've trained with Zender, Allison, Hoke, the best in the biz, and I bet most of the AP regulars here know every bit as much as me.
I've read every book on surveillance I can get my hands on.
Watched every interview I can find. Its the same basic stuff.
There's no secret handshakes, secret looks, or double secret
secrets in surveillance. They're underpaid because its grunt work.
You don't need a college degree, just show up every day and
do the job. They are also the most dispensible employee's
in the casino. Its not unusual for a whole surveillance dept to
be replaced every 18 months.
So whats new? Biometrica has finally got their act together
and can finally accurately pick out a known AP? Nope. James
Grosjean still plays pretty much anywhere he likes. Past
posters are a thing of the past cause surveillance is on its
toes like never before? Nope. Past posting teams are hotter
than ever, making big bucks. Can surveillance still find the
college girl with the biggest boobs and stay trained on her
for an hour? Yup. For 12 bucks an hour thats what I'd be
doing too.
To be clear, I am in no way endorsing this book and can not vouch for the author. But the immediately critical response on here seems absurdly heavy-handed, considering the relatively modest claims that the author makes (griping about "unprecedented" is unnecessary—it's simple marketing lingo). I've read Cellini, McDowell, DeCarlo, Forte, et al cover to cover several times. I'm skeptical that this book has much else to offer me. But for $90, I might just pick up a copy. Sure, it's priced high because the author knows that APs are willing to pay prices that non-APs are not, but if it has even one good tip in it, then it will pay itself off in minutes. If I do end up grabbing a copy, I will comment further.
Quote: LonesomeGamblerbut if it has even one good tip in it, then it will pay itself
I have no idea what that tip could be. This subject has been
covered from all sides so many times that whats left to write
about. Now that casinos know as much about what AP's do,
as the AP's themselves, it all comes down to a cat and mouse
game. Disguises, playing different shifts, short sessions, acting
ignorant, all the tactics are well known to both sides. It comes
down to learning who the hip pit people are and staying away
when they're working. All they need is to suspect you, thats
enough to eventually nail you.
" Tells and Triggers Longevity vs. Notoriety Player Toleration Skills "
Quote: LonesomeGamblerI understand that nearly all of the comments in this thread come from players who are admittedly not APs
Not true. A lot of members here are APs. Though I've moved to poker and occasionally some opportunistic strikes. BJ simply attracts a disproportionate amount of attention for minimal return.
And, no, a counter doesn't make the book's worth in a few minutes. Even if one did, add time cost to read it.
Quote: LonesomeGamblerTo be clear, I am in no way endorsing this book and can not vouch for the author. But the immediately critical response on here seems absurdly heavy-handed, considering the relatively modest claims that the author makes
Exactly. This is what concerns me - that the author seems to think that having been behind la cupula negro makes him an invaluable source of information to APs. His posts in the thread made with the implication that APs would dream to shadow some vigilancia for a day. Lack of a better sales point.
Quote: buzzpaff
" Tells and Triggers Longevity vs. Notoriety Player Toleration Skills "
Shouldn't it be Notorious instead of Notoriety? Then it
would make sense. Kind of.
Quote: EvenBobShouldn't it be Notorious instead of Notoriety? Then it
would make sense. Kind of.
This is what happens when posters twist things so to shed light, here it is.
Contents include:
Surveillance Operations
Surveillance Radar: Tells and Triggers
Longevity vs. Notoriety
Player Toleration
Skills Check: Profiles and Breakdowns
Playing with Information
Surveillance Q&A
NRS 465
Regulation 5
Bibliography
Index
from anybody.