Dan Lubin has died.

A terrible loss =(. Dan and I did not always see eye to eye on "AP" and gambling topics, but he would never lose his cool and was always someone who was willing to keep the debate "friendly." Ironically for being an AP, when I do dabble in some "fun" with friends I LOVE to play EZ Pai Gow. I suck at Pai Gow and the Pai Gow side bet is pretty much a pure winner for me =P. Again, while we may not have agreed on everything gambling under the sun, I won't be able to help thinking of Dan whenever I'm at a EZ Pai Gow Table <3.

A bit more information to share. Dan had a major heart attack last week. He initially survived it and was recovering at home when he passed.

My condolences to his wife, family, and friends.

Rest in peace.

--helpmespock

Although he was talking about salads, is it a coincidence that just a few days earlier his last post he said "bad beet"?

Dan Lubin legacy book and great article:

http://gamingmath.com/misc/dan-lubin.pdf

https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Casino-Game-Design-Table-Game/dp/1935396722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466543256&sr=8-1&keywords=the+essentials+of+casino+game+design


1
"Vladechka -

The book is coming soon!
See Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Casino-Game-Design-Table-Game/dp/1935396722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466543256&sr=8-1&keywords=the+essentials+of+casino+game+design

Dan."

2
Hi Dan,
Recenly had a chance to read your article
http://gamingmath.com/misc/dan-lubin.pdf
Great one! It is very informative indeed

Quote: Wizard

A bit more information to share. Dan had a major heart attack last week. He initially survived it and was recovering at home when he passed.

People think, smoking and cancer. The majority
of men I knew who were smokers died of
heart disease caused by smoking. It damages
blood vessels, deprives the heart of oxygen,
among a host of other things. Why wouldn't
it, your lungs have not evolved far
enough to filter a constant barrage of smoke
from burning weeds.

Dan had always promoted the design and development of new casino games with his extreme passion and love, and no reservation. I have been most appreciative that he had personally reviewed and played every new game that I showed him or field trialed in Vegas.

Dan was most generous in sharing his experience and knowledge in game design. Let’s not forget about his book, “The Essentials of Casino Game Design”. I have had the honor to review the writer edition and later received a complimentary copy. It’s a real honest and step-by-step guide in game design. I was most impressed to read,” The average cost for a first game design is about $50,000. Subsequent games are about $20,000.” Only a true practitioner could be so precise and accurate, and an honest and sincere guy like Dan would put this in writing. I still use this book regularly. Dan had asked me to translate the book into Chinese; unfortunately, I was not as devoted in game design as he was. Hope you go buy his book.

I invited him to the Table Games Conference VIP party in late 2016, that became our last personal meeting. I still remember his regular smile. He gave me the CV of his lovely wife’s 4M-Thai SPA (2340 E Tropicana Ave. Ste 37 Las Vegas, NV (702) 623-5632.) Dan, I did go there the next day after the show, in case your wife did not tell you.

RIP.

Wayne

To take a trip down memory lane, in the 5,692 posts Dan has contributed here, only one resulted in a suspension. Buzz got the better of Dan to which Dan called him a "troll."

While Dan was very slow to anger and fast to forgive, he wasn't perfect.

Dan and I knew each other for many years professionally and spoke maybe 50 hours on the phone together and we had countless texts and emails. I have no idea how many times we met in person, but "lots" is fairly accurate. We never got along very well. Mostly I was to blame - I called him out on a lot of his stuff and was never gentle with him.

Once at G2E I caught Dan using my name in his promotional literature for one of his side bets. Without my permission he wrote that I had analyzed it for AP and said the game was safe, which it was not. After our many issues, Dan intentionally left me out of his Table Games book, didn't mention my name once, and purposefully contradicted material that appears in my book just to make a point about his feelings for me. From my end, among many things, I detested his opinions about AP and his arrogance in defending those opinions, which seemed manically for the casino side, even in the face of facts disputing nearly every argument he made.

After Dan left GLXZ, we talked quite a bit about many of the parts of the industry that neither of us liked. We found quite a large common ground there. Those conversations certainly played their part in my decision to retire.

Our last "fight" was last December. My final contact with him was via text message, dated 12/12/2016. The text of the message I sent him in full was simply "All Good." I am glad that was how it ended between us.

The unexpected death of anyone in our small community is a sad day. I will miss Dan for the unique character he was. This industry and this world needs its "Dan."

RIP

So sad to learn of this. R.I.P. Dan.

Posts about the dangers of smoking and second hand smoke have been moved here.

Quote: Wizard

To take a trip down memory lane, in the 5,692 posts Dan has contributed here, only one resulted in a suspension. Buzz got the better of Dan to which Dan called him a "troll."

While Dan was very slow to anger and fast to forgive, he wasn't perfect.

Don't blame him. I've been tempted to go off on Buzz several times.

It is definitely a shame that a great contributor to the forum has moved beyond this world much too soon.

Man, I'm sorry to read this. For as long as we shared this space, we never interacted directly, but I always respected his demeanor. He made his points forcefully, but never made it personal.

Dan was a good guy, and I'm happy to have walked next to him here.

From Dan's many posts, he had given me an impression that he was a strong advocate for the casino industry to a point of annoyance to many, and from other who described within this thread, Dan was a compassionate and caring individual.

May his soul rest in peace.

I enjoyed reading his thoughts and opinions which reflected how the casino industry viewed issues which were important to players and AP's.

In my opinion, the board can only benefit by active commentary coming from both sides of the table.

R.I.P.

Quote: 777

From Dan's many posts, he had given me an impression that he was a strong advocate for the casino industry to a point of annoyance to many, and from other who described within this thread, Dan was a compassionate and caring individual.

May his soul rest in peace.

I think if anything, I'd describe Dan as an ardent (nay, 'vigorous') defender of what I guess you'd call "the natural order of things" in the casino world. I know from my personal experience that as often as he crapped on APs, we'd bemoan how high the house edges on some games were and how it gave the player no chance to get a fair run for his or her money. In that sense, his criticism both of APs and of people who banked at Pai Gow (even though they didn't have an edge over the house, just the other players) makes sense to me.

I'm a bit late but my condolences to Dan and his family. I don't think we've agreed to a single gambling debate, but he was very respectful regardless.

DAMN NOT DAN LUBIN

I was headed to Utah to visit grandkids. Just before unplugging power strip, I decided to check Gamblingforum to check on Stadium Blackjack thread. But up popped WOV thread over there. Read PGD is dead. skimmed a posting by Mickey. Was on another and my brain finally clicked in. I said aloud DAMN NOT DAN LUBIN.
First met Dan Lubin at focus group 1 in steakhouse at Circus-circus. Actually was seated next to Dan. I ordered Prime Rib since Roger was picking up the check. Dan did not order meat and said his doctor had him on strict diet due to recent heart attack. Saw Dan next day at Focus group 1. When I got back home, Dan and I had a forum war, he thought I had not attended meeting afterwards, at a bar, I think, because I was jealous off everyone's game, thought mine was best etc. Actually me and Mike were last to leave Focus Group. Wife picked me up and asked how it went. I said and I quote " I learned a lot " Trying to pay homage to Dan and mention as few others as possible. But fact was I went double or nothing on 40 pushups with Mike that my game would score higher than his. WORST bet in my life. Apologized to Brent about remarks I had made about MoneySuit31, Face-to-face right then at Focus group. Dan took my change in attitude after scores were announced as sour grapes. Actually it was my disbelief at not finishing last. Think I even beat out MS31. Nothing but respect for the entrants REALLY.
Had several wars about AP with Dan and he did soften from CHEATERS to RULE BREAKERS when discussing AP's.
Actually PM'd Dan and he offered to help with with dealers rules for any futire games of mine. WHAT A GENTLEMAN !!!!!!!!!!!
On Linkedin I congratulated him once or twice about his success at Galaxy. I think my exact words were " Luck in when hard work meet opportunity. so in your new career I will wish you GOOD OPPORTUNITY instead of good luck. We also had a minor forum skirmish when Dan complained MR Casino Games was almost spam like posting about his new games. Mike said Stephen had that right as Mike consulted for him a lot. As fate with have it, the last time I saw Dan in person, was immediately after meeting Stephen in person at G2E. Stephen gave Josie a pair of 18 sides dice and we were still looking at bthem when I bumped into Dan, lierally.
Introduced Joise to him, said he was a real inventor, not half-assed like me. Dan, ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN, said I was being too hard on myself.
The next time I SAW Dan was on a recent video several months. PM'd him that looked like he had gained weight recently. On risk of being suspended, his PM to me said he was aware of it and was dieting. Within the last month I bough his book, read it on my kindle, We pm'd about some chapters and he said he was very proud of that book and some people did not think he had it in him.
Mike, go back behind the curtain. You said he was suspended when BUZZ got the best of him. I know of a fact BUZZ never got the beats of him, not once NOT EVER.
Another post here from I forget who about BUZZ being hard to. Well Dan overlooked all of Buzz's faults.
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Feel free to leave now. I mean I was gonna post another item, but wanted this to be all about Dan. But I have 2 problems. My name may be in red before I can post anything else. Babs, my beautiful wife in a parallel universe, has a hair trigger on her suspension gun. Not even a sorry darlin, or love always, just goes red SIGH.
Problem 2 Buss is a very rich man, just does not have any money. Tries to repay kindness . Mike has a license plate, not the rust kind he usually gets, map of USA made of license plates cutting and a special jacket to wear on cool evenings while unicycling. Just because he let me use this forum gratis. Roger has a Coleco Table top Pacman game, Mint, even battery compartment. A bigoted moderator has a similar jacket for letting me rant in Pms. ( he had a note, I am a bigot, taped to the refrigerator ), Stuff childhood friend s drop off after a 10 finger discount or I find a garage sales. I have this hideos caricature pix , 3 by 5 feet framed portrait of A BJ dealer. As klutzy as dogs playing poker on velevet. Name tag says JOE. Was gonna remove glass, paint DAN over Joe, get metal tag DEALERS HALL OF FAME 2017 DAN LUBIN. Wrap in brown paper, takes to Vegas for G2E, not to Dans casino, would drop off at wife's business. Even had return address of Moscow Idaho. Sounds like a place for dealer's hall of fame.
NOW WHAT ? It's hanging on wall. Can't just turn it around/

DAMN DAN LUBIN IS DEAD Buzz turned 77 on May 16. Don't worry about any injustice. Buzz is in a nightmare with no way out.

Happier note : Old enough to remember origin of a little help from peanut gallery ? Evenbob is. Still got your Captain America decoder ring from that box of cereal ???
Set it to SS for SUPER SECRET Here's the message boys and girls :

ZGSIYHAPIDOYE

DAMN DAN LUBIN IS DEAD

Hi Buzz...bye Buzz...

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Hi Buzz...bye Buzz...

Like I don't know that.

Maybe it'll slip through...gl.

Quote: Wizard

Word is starting to spread that our own Dan Lubin died yesterday, evidently in his sleep. I hear when his wife got home from work she found him already gone on the bed. There is also a post on his Facebook page about it.

I need time to collect my thoughts on this. RIP Dan.

I've been on the road and out of touch for the last couple of weeks, and just now reading this sad news.

Dan, I will always remember your smiling face, pleasant nature, and generous spirit.

R.I.P., my friend.

Quote: CharlesMousseau

I think if anything, I'd describe Dan as an ardent (nay, 'vigorous') defender of what I guess you'd call "the natural order of things" in the casino world. I know from my personal experience that as often as he crapped on APs, we'd bemoan how high the house edges on some games were and how it gave the player no chance to get a fair run for his or her money. In that sense, his criticism both of APs and of people who banked at Pai Gow (even though they didn't have an edge over the house, just the other players) makes sense to me.

I'm not seeing the connection between high HE games and criticism of APs, unless you or he implied APs caused the HEs to increase, which I think is completely absurd as games can be protected without a huge HE. Laziness, under staffing, under trained employees, and lack of understanding of the games and how to protect such games (which is simple to figure out how to do if you've been beaten once, assuming you're worth your salary), and ultimately greed is the fault of the casino (management, not lower level staff), not APs. But this is probably not the time or place for such a discussion.

I have been absent from this forum’s discussions for some time, trying to get my own head straight, but I very much want to express my deepest sympathies to Dan’s family. It is impossible to describe the extent to which such a loss can affect family members.

I met Dan’s wife just one time and very briefly. I have been misremembering the event as being one of our Spring Fling gatherings, but a little digging reveals that it was the WoV Winter 2015 Event in January of that year. Afterward, I posted some photos I had taken, and the very first shot shows Dan seated beside his wife.

I had met Dan on several other visits to Las Vegas and included him in photos of other gatherings. Although I tried to set it up to play at his table while he was dealing at Fiesta Henderson, I never got that worked out, and I never had the pleasure of sitting beside him on the players’ side of a table.

In discussions here, I think I disagreed occasionally with Dan on his stern standing regarding AP’s, but there was never any serious argument, likely because I have never been an AP myself.

Instead, perhaps our most memorable interaction was without seeing or even talking directly to each other. It related to a planned trip to Las Vegas that I had to cancel back in November prior to that Winter 2015 Event. I had purchased advance tickets for my wife and me to see Rod Stewart at the Coliseum. Since they were non-refundable and since I wasn’t feeling up to trying to sell them long distance, I decided to give them away.

I sent the tickets to the Wizard as an emailed .pdf file. He wound up with a conflict and gave them to Dan, who printed the tickets but carelessly had them out on his desk at Galaxy Gaming. His VP saw them and immediately declared that Dan was going to have to work the night of that show, and since it would be such a shame for the tickets to go to waste .... he pulled rank and confiscated them. Dan wrote up the story in a very funny way and passed it back through Mike to me.

I’m going to try to remember Dan in light of his sense of humor in dealing with that ticket loss and not in terms of petty squabbles about AP plays.

I will not be able to attend any of the planned services for Dan, but when the WoV contingent and others gather at the Wizard’s place tomorrow, please consider that I am attending in spirit though not physically.

Quote: Doc

I have been absent from this forum’s discussions for some time, trying to get my own head straight, but I very much want to express my deepest sympathies to Dan’s family. It is impossible to describe the extent to which such a loss can affect family members.

I met Dan’s wife just one time and very briefly. I have been misremembering the event as being one of our Spring Fling gatherings, but a little digging reveals that it was the WoV Winter 2015 Event in January of that year. Afterward, I posted some photos I had taken, and the very first shot shows Dan seated beside his wife.

I had met Dan on several other visits to Las Vegas and included him in photos of other gatherings. Although I tried to set it up to play at his table while he was dealing at Fiesta Henderson, I never got that worked out, and I never had the pleasure of sitting beside him on the players’ side of a table.

In discussions here, I think I disagreed occasionally with Dan on his stern standing regarding AP’s, but there was never any serious argument, likely because I have never been an AP myself.

Instead, perhaps our most memorable interaction was without seeing or even talking directly to each other. It related to a planned trip to Las Vegas that I had to cancel back in November prior to that Winter 2015 Event. I had purchased advance tickets for my wife and me to see Rod Stewart at the Coliseum. Since they were non-refundable and since I wasn’t feeling up to trying to sell them long distance, I decided to give them away.

I sent the tickets to the Wizard as an emailed .pdf file. He wound up with a conflict and gave them to Dan, who printed the tickets but carelessly had them out on his desk at Galaxy Gaming. His VP saw them and immediately declared that Dan was going to have to work the night of that show, and since it would be such a shame for the tickets to go to waste .... he pulled rank and confiscated them. Dan wrote up the story in a very funny way and passed it back through Mike to me.

I’m going to try to remember Dan in light of his sense of humor in dealing with that ticket loss and not in terms of petty squabbles about AP plays.

I will not be able to attend any of the planned services for Dan, but when the WoV contingent and others gather at the Wizard’s place tomorrow, please consider that I am attending in spirit though not physically.

Dan's Vp sounds like a total Ahole,if he did what you said.
Although I disagreed with Dans Ap views,he was a real gentleman.

Quote: Hunterhill

Dan's Vp sounds like a total Ahole,if he did what you said.
Although I disagreed with Dans Ap views,he was a real gentleman.

Dan did not describe him that way at all. He just presented it as an amusing incident. He narrated it in some detail in that PM, closing with these comments, in which I have obscured the VP's name lest someone speak unkindly of him further.

Quote: Dan

Anyway, xxxx xxxxxxx scored the tickets from me as a VP at Galaxy with a good story, as he gave me valid reason and a really valiant argument.

Funny Story, - an absolutely true and pleasant discussion. Made for a better day at Galaxy Gaming. Anyway, xxxx xxxxxxx absconded with the tickets.

Dan got memorialized in today's LVA Question of the Day:

Quote:

... The writer of that answer, Dan Lubin, responded to this question, which we scheduled a couple of weeks ago to run today. Dan was author of our recent book The Essentials of Casino Game Design and the inventor of commission-free Pai Gow Poker. Dan passed away suddenly last week at the age of 57. He was one of the most intelligent, genuine, enthusiastic, and generous people we ever knew; his tipping largesse was legendary. He’s survived by his wife Prapaisri. We remain shocked, to say the least, and deeply saddened by his loss.

Very sad. Dan will be missed.

Nice to see back Doc. Thanks for sharing that memory. I almost forgot that story.

This is extremely sad. Dan was such a kind, positive presence at the Fiesta Henderson, and he was always very interested in the game ideas of others. He was so nice in giving game suggestions/comments.

Dan was liked and admired by many.

My condolences to his loved ones and friends.

Mike is the guest on this week’s Gambling With An Edge.

At one point, Bob asked Mike about Dan. Mike responded with a nice eulogy about Dan and his contribution to this industry.

Coincidentally, just a couple days ago I had sent Mike an email with some questions about game patents. The kind of questions I would have liked to also ask Dan.


I miss you Dan...

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Mike is the guest on this week’s Gambling With An Edge.

At one point, Bob asked Mike about Dan. Mike responded with a nice eulogy about Dan and his contribution to this industry.

Coincidentally, just a couple days ago I had sent Mike an email with some questions about game patents. The kind of questions I would have liked to also ask Dan.


I miss you Dan...

(Banned members post removed)

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I miss you Dan...

I thought of Dan the other day, how
he stuck by his convictions. I miss
not being able to yell at him anymore.
Nice guy..

It's been almost a year since Dan died. I
miss arguing with him about AP's. Jeez,
he never relented right to the end..

Quote: EvenBob

It's been almost a year since Dan died. I
miss arguing with him about AP's. Jeez,
he never relented right to the end..

In real life he was not so stubborn. He didn't seem to like argue but loved talking, especially about gambling, but seldom about himself. Definitely one of a kind.

Quote: tringlomane

Quote: Wizard

To take a trip down memory lane, in the 5,692 posts Dan has contributed here, only one resulted in a suspension. Buzz got the better of Dan to which Dan called him a "troll."

While Dan was very slow to anger and fast to forgive, he wasn't perfect.

Don't blame him. I've been tempted to go off on Buzz several times.

It is definitely a shame that a great contributor to the forum has moved beyond this world much too soon.

My biggest regret . Miss Dan every time I visit here. RIP Dan, as fine a gentleman as I have ever known.

Quote: friendofdan

Quote: tringlomane

Quote: Wizard

To take a trip down memory lane, in the 5,692 posts Dan has contributed here, only one resulted in a suspension. Buzz got the better of Dan to which Dan called him a "troll."

While Dan was very slow to anger and fast to forgive, he wasn't perfect.

Don't blame him. I've been tempted to go off on Buzz several times.

It is definitely a shame that a great contributor to the forum has moved beyond this world much too soon.

My biggest regret . Miss Dan every time I visit here. RIP Dan, as fine a gentleman as I have ever known.

I did not know him personally , but when I see threads pop up like the recent one about a 3CP dealer flashing a card, my first thought is how Dan liked participating in those discussions.

RIP Dan

Welcome back Buzz!

Quote: friendofdan

My biggest regret . Miss Dan every time I visit here. RIP Dan, as fine a gentleman as I have ever known.

Nuke -- sock of thorpic and probably buzz.

Today’s Question of the Day on Anthony’s site is about casino ethics.
https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question-of-the-day/

It made me think of Dan, so much so that I replied with one of my Dan stories.

I miss you Dan.

I used to think I was a tuff guy. That was before I met Dan Lubin. A time bomb in his chest. TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
And being the usual jerk I always have been, here is last email exchange between us.
You can easily decode my user name by the RP at the end. Name of his website. Great respect for him not using N word in his act after a visit to Africa. Lost at least 50% of his material.
I know I will be in red shotly. PLEASE ( a word I seldom use ) leave post up to remind everyone just how short life is !

Buzz Paff >

May 30, 2017, 3:49 PM

to Stephen
Paigowdan
Paigowdan September 17, 2016 6:39 pm

I know! The weight goes up, the angina returns.

---------- ORIGINAL MESSAGE ----------

Dan, the camera makes some people look fatter. Keep that weight down, especially with past history.
Just a gentle reminder. Hope you take it that way.

Buzz


Often accused of exxagerating on WOV Sadly not this time

Josie still has those dice She was a CNA in Alzheimers unit. Now she has dementis, worst nightmare come true

Hope to see you at G2E

Quote: IADYMFRP

I know I will be in red shotly.
link to original post

You were right. I hope all is well, Buzz.

RIP. He will be missed

Just a reminder to hug your loved ones. You never know for who the bell tolls. I am proof that only the good die young. One of my great pleasures was knowing Dan Lubin. My biggest disappointment was getting him his only suspension. But on the other hand I feel partially responsible for Dan softening his name for counters from CHEATERS to merely RULE BREAKERS. He is still missed.
Like I dont know I will be in red asap HAHA

Quote: LESLOSACKETT

Just a reminder to hug your loved ones. You never know for who the bell tolls. I am proof that only the good die young. One of my great pleasures was knowing Dan Lubin. My biggest disappointment was getting him his only suspension. But on the other hand I feel partially responsible for Dan softening his name for counters from CHEATERS to merely RULE BREAKERS. He is still missed.
Like I dont know I will be in red asap HAHA
link to original post

Buzz, your the most liked and prolific WOV sock of all time.

Quote: rainman

Quote: LESLOSACKETT

Just a reminder to hug your loved ones. You never know for who the bell tolls. I am proof that only the good die young. One of my great pleasures was knowing Dan Lubin. My biggest disappointment was getting him his only suspension. But on the other hand I feel partially responsible for Dan softening his name for counters from CHEATERS to merely RULE BREAKERS. He is still missed.
Like I dont know I will be in red asap HAHA
link to original post

Buzz, your the most liked and prolific WOV sock of all time.
link to original post

I was cleaning out my closet too (finally!) throw out clothes I’ll never wear again. But I found a beautiful Negro Leagues embroidered shirt that was a gift from Buzz. I hope he is doing well…..

Buzz -
Thanks for reviving this thread. 6 years seems like yesterday.

Here’s a snip from my original post:

Quote: DJTeddyBear

…
My favorite was when I had dinner with Dan and his wife at his home a couple years ago. At the time he was living on one of the upper floors of the Panorama Towers. That's the two tall apartment buildings west of I-15 overlooking the strip. We spent the evening sitting on his balcony, drinking wine, watching the sun setting behind us, reflected off the mirror-like finish of the Aria. I've got to find that photo....
link to original post

These are the Panorama Towers. They have valet parking and a concierge in the lobby. Very nice place.

He had one of the upper floor apartments in the building on the left, and invited me for an evening to sit on the balcony, and get a taste of the dream.

One of my favorite Vegas photos was taken sitting on his balcony, watching the sun setting behind us as reflected off the Aria, glass of wine in hand. Yep. That's the dream.


I still miss Dan. 😥