Banished from the Blackjack Ball
I accept the decision of the Blackjack Ball, with some reservation. There are plenty of people that attend who openly work for the Dark Side. I've consulted with gaming companies, and sometimes casinos, the many years I have been attending the Ball. Maybe with the Venetian I crossed the line, wherever it is drawn.
So, no hard feelings against the BJ Ball. I enjoyed the many years I did attend, and winning the World's Greatest Blackjack Player trophy two years ago is one of the proudest moments in my life. I still maintain very hard feelings against the Venetian for turning my life upsidedown and then throwing me out on my ass.
Quote: WizardThe Attendance Committee of the Blackjack Ball decided to banish me due to my choice to work for the Venetian. When I accepted that part-time position I knew I wouldn't be eligible to attend, because those who work for casinos are supposidly not welcome, with the exception of host Max Rubin. Little did I know the Venetian would stab me in the back after four months. Not only did I lose many of my consulting clients but this too.
I accept the decision of the Blackjack Ball, with some reservation. There are plenty of people that attend who openly work for the Dark Side. I've consulted with gaming companies, and sometimes casinos, the many years I have been attending the Ball. Maybe with the Venetian I crossed the line, wherever it is drawn.
So, no hard feelings against the BJ Ball. I still maintain very hard feelings against the Venetian for turning my life upsidedown and then throwing me out on my ass.
May I suggest you make peace with your Venetian experience and move on. Life is short and success is the best form of revenge.
Quote: WizardThe Attendance Committee of the Blackjack Ball decided to banish me due to my choice to work for the Venetian. When I accepted that part-time position I knew I wouldn't be eligible to attend, because those who work for casinos are supposidly not welcome, with the exception of host Max Rubin. Little did I know the Venetian would stab me in the back after four months. Not only did I lose many of my consulting clients but this too.
I accept the decision of the Blackjack Ball, with some reservation. There are plenty of people that attend who openly work for the Dark Side. I've consulted with gaming companies, and sometimes casinos, the many years I have been attending the Ball. Maybe with the Venetian I crossed the line, wherever it is drawn.
So, no hard feelings against the BJ Ball. I still maintain very hard feelings against the Venetian for turning my life upsidedown and then throwing me out on my ass.
Mike, you know where I stand. Keep your chin up and keep charging forward. Your work on the Web is truly an inspiration to many.
Quote: IbeatyouracesI wouldn't go even if invited.
I have to agree with this 100%. Not that there is any chance I ever would be invited. lol My resume is pretty thin. Playing BJ to support myself for 9 years. Never had a year where I made 6 figure strictly playing BJ, but am in the upper 5 figure range. Even counting other AP activities, last year was my first over 6 figure. But then, I am not trying to measure up to these legends. It's a different era. I am just trying to make a decent living.
Anyway, while I can appreciate the achievements of all the Ball inductee's, certainly Mr Wizard included, and certainly have benefited by them sharing some of their wisdom, from what I have read on a couple site, the blackjack ball is kind of like a 'good old boys club' (no disrespect intended). Maybe because I am younger and still in my fighting years and still in fighting mode, but I just don't get the point of it.
The decision seems harsh to me though, Mike, especially under the circumstances. You would think there would be more flexibility, especially since, as you stated it is my understanding a number have worked with the dark side in one way or another over the years. I hope for your sake they re-consider at some point.
Quote: kewljAnyway, while I can appreciate the achievements of all the Ball inductee's, certainly Mr Wizard included.
Lest there be any misunderstanding, I have never been been nominated, let alone voted into, the Blackjack Hall of Fame, if that is what you were referring to. Winning the tournament as the Greatest Player is not the same thing.
Quote: WizardLest there be any misunderstanding, I have never been been nominated, let alone voted into, the Blackjack Hall of Fame, if that is what you were referring to. Winning the tournament as the Greatest Player is not the same thing.
Oh, my mistake. Still I think the decision is harsh.
Didn't someone famous say "I wouldn't be a member of any club that would have me". lol
Quote: FinsRuleGroucho Marx?
He stole that line from my her0 W C FIELDS .
PS your horse pick today ?
Quote: DRichI think I agree with their decision. If you went to work for a casino once, they probably believe you would do it again. If that is the case, some people might not feel comfortable sharing new tactics and strategies with you around. You may even be conflicted with a decision in the future where you need to protect your employer by using information obtained from other participants.
Is it a lifetime ban? Seems harsh considering that you no longer are in their employ. DRich brings up a good point about future trouble, but that situation could be true with any BJB attendee who happens to take a job with the largest employers in town.
Then again, just what did you do while employed at the Venetian? You've been vague on this. If it involved exposing potential Advantage Play opportunities, then I can see why you'd be excluded - even permanently. But the vague discriptions lead me to believe that wasn't part of your job.
I thought Max was more or less an independent consultant / writer / etc. This comment suggests that he works for a casino. Is that correct? If so, in what capacity?Quote: Wizard... those who work for casinos are supposidly not welcome, with the exception of host Max Rubin.
Gee, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, WTF !
http://www.maxrubin.com/blackjack_ball.html
Quote: DRichI think I agree with their decision. If you went to work for a casino once, they probably believe you would do it again. If that is the case, some people might not feel comfortable sharing new tactics and strategies with you around. You may even be conflicted with a decision in the future where you need to protect your employer by using information obtained from other participants.
I'm sure that would be their argument exactly, which I respect.
Quote: DJTeddyBearAre you sure that your exclusion is permanent?
Max said my name was removed from the list. Names jumping on and off the list is not the type thing they are likely to do. In fact, I don't know anyone who has ever been banished other than me.
Quote: WizardNames jumping on and off the list is not the type thing they are likely to do. In fact, I don't know anyone who has ever been banished other than me.
Ridiculous. That pisses me off.
gift that keeps on giving. Whats next...
Quote: WizardThe Attendance Committee of the Blackjack Ball decided to banish me due to my choice to work for the Venetian. When I accepted that part-time position I knew I wouldn't be eligible to attend, because those who work for casinos are supposidly not welcome, with the exception of host Max Rubin. Little did I know the Venetian would stab me in the back after four months. Not only did I lose many of my consulting clients but this too.
I accept the decision of the Blackjack Ball, with some reservation. There are plenty of people that attend who openly work for the Dark Side. I've consulted with gaming companies, and sometimes casinos, the many years I have been attending the Ball. Maybe with the Venetian I crossed the line, wherever it is drawn.
So, no hard feelings against the BJ Ball. I enjoyed the many years I did attend, and winning the World's Greatest Blackjack Player trophy two years ago is one of the proudest moments in my life. I still maintain very hard feelings against the Venetian for turning my life upsidedown and then throwing me out on my ass.
Revenge will be yours! Form a Blackjack Team, go to the Venetian playing undercover......play blackjack and take them for as much $$$ as you possibly can.
but now that will be ZERO from here on
out !
I think the Blackjack Ball thing is also
BS. And Petty and childish. Did I mention
it is BS ?
Who else in the BJ Ball has done as much
for the average joe player as the Wiz ?
Quote: JohnnyQI think the Blackjack Ball thing is also
BS. And Petty and childish. Did I mention
it is BS ?
It's just that Mike is no longer considered a "dangerous player," by their standards.
http://www.maxrubin.com/blackjack_ball.html
throw a ball so a bunch of insiders can slap themselves
on the back every year. The Wiz is good to be rid of
them.
Quote: BuzzardA confidential source tells me Moe's place will be taken by Pete Rose, who is about to be inducted in the Blackjack Hall Of Fame.
I have it on good authority that the commissioner for the BJ Hall of Fame is going to block the induction, unless Pete will admit that he never played baseball, and that Charlie Hustle was really his brother.
Quote: WizardThe Attendance Committee of the Blackjack Ball decided to banish me due to my choice to work for the Venetian.
Now given the funny method where you get an email from Max with your invite, and that invite has a note on it, and that note says "All Guests attending the Blackjack Ball must R.S.V.P and be Approved by the Blackjack Ball Guest Committee," there's always been this impression that an invite isn't really an invite. Which is about the weirdest invite I ever saw. Is this what they did to you, Wizard? Send you a probational invite and then, once you indicated your desire to attend, tell you that the "Attendance Committee" (and if this isn't just Max and his dog I don't know what it could mean) had rejected you?
Quote: HoleRiddenGhostNow given the funny method where you get an email from Max with your invite, and that invite has a note on it, and that note says "All Guests attending the Blackjack Ball must R.S.V.P and be Approved by the Blackjack Ball Guest Committee," there's always been this impression that an invite isn't really an invite. Which is about the weirdest invite I ever saw. Is this what they did to you, Wizard? Send you a probational invite and then, once you indicated your desire to attend, tell you that the "Attendance Committee" (and if this isn't just Max and his dog I don't know what it could mean) had rejected you?
+1
Quote: HoleRiddenGhostNow given the funny method where you get an email from Max with your invite, and that invite has a note on it, and that note says "All Guests attending the Blackjack Ball must R.S.V.P and be Approved by the Blackjack Ball Guest Committee," there's always been this impression that an invite isn't really an invite. Which is about the weirdest invite I ever saw. Is this what they did to you, Wizard? Send you a probational invite and then, once you indicated your desire to attend, tell you that the "Attendance Committee" (and if this isn't just Max and his dog I don't know what it could mean) had rejected you?
I never received an invitation this year. In fact, I didn't last year either, I think because of Email trouble, so I crashed it. The invitations do say a bottle of chilled champagne is required for entry, preferably Dom, preferably comped, but lots of people don't bring one. So, no, I can't say they were Indian givers, because I never got an invitation for this year to begin with. The boot came when I wrote to Max asking for one.
Quote: WizardI never received an invitation this year. In fact, I didn't last year either, I think because of Email trouble, so I crashed it. The invitations do say a bottle of chilled champagne is required for entry, preferably Dom, preferably comped, but lots of people don't bring one. So, no, I can't say they were Indian givers, because I never got an invitation for this year to begin with. The boot came when I wrote to Max asking for one.
Ah, sooo...
Quote: BuzzardHe stole that line from my hero W C FIELDS .
The mark: "Is this a game of chance?"
Fields: "Not the way I play it."
Quote: MoscaThe mark: "Is this a game of chance?"
Fields: "Not the way I play it."
My all time favorite :
Women are like elephants. I like to look at 'em, but I wouldn't want to own one.
W. C. Fields
Quote: BuzzardMy all time favorite :
Women are like elephants. I like to look at 'em, but I wouldn't want to own one.
W. C. Fields
This is good drift, I hope.
I have so many. It's A Gift is one of my favorite movies of all time; Ben Stiller's "frustration comedy" is WC Fields updated for today, with a different personality.
From Poppy, after a lengthy discourse about being a croquet master: "Oh, yes, toured the world, giving lessons... AAAAAAGH! WHAT LAZY LOUT LEFT THESE WIRES STICKING OUT OF THE GROUND!?!"
Quote: CrapsForeverRevenge will be yours! Form a Blackjack Team, go to the Venetian playing undercover......play blackjack and take them for as much $$$ as you possibly can.
An leave them a present in the elevator on the way out. :o)
