TheCesspit - Interview by Mission146

Mission146 asked some questions for post 5000. I answered. I hope I have made some modicum of sense.

"For, although common Snarks do no manner of harm,
Yet, I feel it my duty to say,
Some are Boojums—" The Bellman broke off in alarm,
For the Baker had fainted away.

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1.) What was the first casino game that you played, and how old were you when you played it? Was this game the first time you gambled for real money, and if not, when did that first occur and what was the game?

The first casino like game I played was probably Pontoon, a British version of blackjack with terms like 'twist' and 'stick', doubling on any hand, 5-card Charlies and a movable banker. Wasn't for money, but was with my parents as an alternative to playing Mah Jongg. I think my first gamble for money was a sweep stake on the Grand National, which I think I won the first time we did it aged 10 with my family. It was about two pounds.

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2.) Your interests are not restricted to just casino games as you are also an avid collector of Board Games, what was the first Board Game you've ever played and can you tell us what your five favorite Board Games are?

Probably Snakes and Ladders. We played Mah Jongg a fair amount at home, and my grand and I played Scrabble, Backgammon and Monopoly when I visited. As well as Careers, the Game of Life, Cribbage, Connect 4 and Connecto (I think that was the name). The first 'modern' board game I played was Settler's of Cataan, but I had by then been playing Magic the Gathering and other Trading Card Games. I got bored of it all suddenly during a nerd convention, and went to play another game of Settlers, got roped into a play test with some German guy called 'Reiner Knizia' and the bug bit me hard. (For those who don't know, Reiner is one of the most successful board game designers in the world in terms of games sold).

I played my first poker tournament for cash that weekend as well (I knew how to play Texas Hold'em, but not how to PLAY Texas Hold'em). I got knocked out on the bubble. Spent a lot of term reading about poker after that and got better. And started running our own games at University.

My top 5 games now are:

1 - Caylus - place workers on this neat track to collect resources to build up a town and Castle.
2 - Race for the Galaxy - card game with lots of symbols, but about selecting an action each turn, that you share with other players.
3 - Steam - Train network building game, with some financial aspects
4 - Terra Mystica - multi-layered game about expanding your fantasy race across the world of Terra Mystica. No luck, lots of planning.
5 - Crokinole - Dexterity flicking disc game. Have a beautifully hand made board that's pride of place on my living room wall.

Tichu, Agricola and the 18xx series all get honorable mentions.

(3-skipped, mostly because it's more about board games.)

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4.) You've bet on Sports, you have somewhat regularly (even though you only gamble in Vegas) played Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Bonus Poker and Jacks or Better...you also played Pai Gow Poker, in the form of EZ Pai-Gow for the first time a few years back at the Golden Nugget. Despite all of this, your profile does not include your favorite casino game, so what is it and what game have you disliked the most, and why?

It varies on each trip. Last time it was Craps. Though I like Video Poker while at the bar watching the sports. I most dislike Roulette. I find it tedious after about 5 spins. I've never played some of the Carni-games though, as I'd probably dislike them even more.

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5.) You mentioned that you would play about $20/day in the Megabucks machine during your visits to Vegas, but suggested you may stop doing that when you found out that the top prize is paid in the form of annuity (or 60% of lump sum), you made that suggestion a few years ago, so have you since played Megabucks or do you refuse because it is not paid all at once?

Never since. I'll feed $20 into something like the Lions Share, or smaller jackpot game that pays all at once.

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6.) It seems that you would be more than willing to sell your, "Soul," for $10. Since you evidently do not believe you have a soul, and therefore would technically (in your view) not be selling anything, do you have a moral stance against selling your soul to more than one person?

Oh, good one. Technically, I think it would be wrong to delude a series of people to give them my soul. But otherwise, yeah, if multiple people want to give me $10 for something I don't have, sure. But then, I am selling something I don't have, so that seems a bit wrong.

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7.) You're from England, live in Canada, and you're an avid fan of the NFL. Do you follow/bet the CFL or Premier League Football (soccer, for those of you who don't pay any attention to it) at all?

I pay attention to the CFL for about two weeks, then wish I was watching the NFL. I do go to games in Vancouver when I am there, for the catch up with my friends during a game. I like a lot about the CFL, but the 3 downs kills the tension and excitement for me.

I follow Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship. I don't really follow the EPL or even much beyond my teams wins and losses and players. It's not as pervasive as over here. And when the NFL season is on, I find it hard to worry too much about other sports. I like the NHL and WHL, but don't really start paying attention until after to Superbowl

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8.) This is going to be one of those pointless hypothetical questions, but if you had to give up Gambling OR Board Games for the rest of your life, which would you choose and why?

Gambling, and it's not even close. I have met and made so many friends playing board games, through gaming groups, or just getting new acquaintances to sit down and play an easy board game. It's a shared experience, a social exercise and mental activity. The decisions are much more rewarding in a board game than choosing which cards to hold on VP or where to bet on craps.

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9.) Are you still home-brewing beer? If so, what is your favorite style to make, and what style(s), if any, do you enjoy but are absolutely hopeless at making?

I've made more mead recently. It's very easy to do, less messy and just as tasty. I do like making red ales. The mix of malt and hops are just right for me. I am terrible at making IPAs. They never quite have the right level of hoppiness on the nose and bitter flavours.

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10.) You mentioned that, given reasonably similar income levels, you're not willing to pay 100% of the tab on a first date because you believe that gender equality should exist in every sense of the word. For us guys out here that would deem it necessary to pay 100% for a first date unless the date specifically states she wants to go 50/50, (or pay for herself) do you recommend suggesting the split before you've even gone out, or is this something you address when the check is presented?

I suggest it before hand. I normally expect a first date to be coffee/beer/wine and a chat. If she can't pay for a coffee, or expects me to pay for the coffee, it shows that we aren't going to meet minds. If we go for dinner on a second date, I will bring up the subject while organizing it. If I am paying cos' I feel like treating them, I say so. And vice versa.

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11.) You also mentioned that if a woman were to invite you to her house for dinner you would reciprocate, but the relationship isn't going to work if she reaches for a can of soup to make...can we infer from this that you're a good cook, or is she just getting a the short end of the stick? If you are a good cook, what's your best dish?

I'm a decent cook. I make a good veggie curry, and decent chill's and fisherman's pie. My current lady friend seems to think I have a real talent for salads, but that's just chopping and tossing to me, but if it works, then all good to me.

But yeah, on the can of soup. I once had a date where dinner was a can of soup warmed up and chucked over pre-cooked chicken fillets and then shoved in the oven. It was not good. I guess I'm a bit of a food snob. I like food, and I like sharing and making good food.

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12.) You mentioned that the 2.7% edge on the Hardways on Scossa is a fairly reasonable edge, in your estimation, given that it pays 34 to 1, did you ever have the opportunity to play Scossa?

Nope, never did see it. I'd still try it if I did.

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13.) In 2011, you described yourself as having a, "Geek job, but great career." You obviously do something computer-related, as you mentioned it would have been helpful had you been able to take typing in high school so you could type with more than two fingers, so what do you do specifically, giving as much detail as you are comfortable with?

I am a Software Quality Analyst. Actually, I'm now the Quality Manager for the company I work for. This means I am in charge of testing the software, to make sure it works, is fit for purpose, ensuring the process to design, code, build and release our products are followed. I try to work out how we could fail our customers, and how to avoid repeating failures. I do some coding of automated tests, some hands on testing, some reviews, some management of people, some management of projects. I don't write code that customers get, because I am bloody awful at making things robustly and quickly. I am very good at breaking things apart, and working backwards from a result to cause.

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14.) You once mentioned that a woman with kids would be a deal-breaker for you, do you not plan on having kids at some point in the future?

Without getting into the details, the first part is no longer true, but the second part is. I have no plans on having kids at some point, and have no plans on taking part on raising anyone else's. It's not a deal breaker if they have children. I changed my mind, for various reasons.

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15.) You've mentioned that you would accept $500,000 and, in exchange, never make a bet in a casino again as long as you live, but if that were to include friendly wagers, Board Game wagers and Fantasy Football you would refuse the $500,000. What is so valuable to you about those forms of gambling as opposed to casino gambling?

I get a lot of enjoyment out of playing fantasy football, or betting my friends a dollar that something won't happen (or we won't do something, like jump in a lake, down a pint, etc). I like making a friendly wager over a game of cards, or betting someone a five dollar bill that I can beat them at Tichu. I don't mind losing, but the wager can sharpen the game, and make me or them eat a little humble pie. All good natured. I don't think half a million is worth losing one of my simple pleasures over. It'd be like giving up beer or cheese toasties or supporting the Detroit Lions.

Actually, screw it, I'll burn my Lions shirts and shred my Lions banners for $500,000 and become a Seahawks fan like everyone else around here.

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16.) In 5,000 posts, you've never gone into too much detail about yourself, which I assure you has been tremendously helpful in me putting together this interview...that having been said, what one fact about yourself do you think would most surprise the Members of this Forum?

Erm, it's partly on purpose. I try to keep my details out of this public space unless it's relevant. It's probably possible to gather the main parts of it though.

I'm not sure. I think I've mentioned I have a PhD, in software testing. Everyone seems to know I'm an ex-pat Brit. Politically I'm an ex-anarcho-syndaclist, and would describe myself as a Classical Liberal now, with some anarchist leanings still there. I use the word Liberal not in the US meaning of the word, just to be clear.

I DJ'd on University radio for four years, and did indie/rock music DJing at various clubs and events. Was a great time doing that.

And I'm working on starting my own corporate training and events management company right now.

No idea if these are particularly interesting or surprising. I'm not all that interesting to strangers.

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17.) What are your Top Three Vegas casinos and why?

The Orleans for many good nights sleep, and a good games pit where I can micro bet but my buddy can bet big and get the floor attention for comps.

The Monte Carlo for several good nights playing, drinking and watching sports.

The Flamingo, for the time I got comped for drinking in there.

Quote: thecesspit

I answered. I hope I have made some modicum of sense. .

Modicum, maybe. Looking forward to post
10,000. More sense, perhaps. I remember
my 10K post, I was so young and naive..

Why are you thecesspit? It doesn't seem too flattering a way to describe yourself.

Thanks for taking the interview, cess. Very interesting, whether you think you are or not. :)

Quote: thecesspit

I've made more mead recently. It's very easy to do, less messy and just as tasty. I do like making red ales. The mix of malt and hops are just right for me. I am terrible at making IPAs. They never quite have the right level of hoppiness on the nose and bitter flavours.

You got to hop the hell out the wort for an IPA. First hop addition invokes bitterness and last hop addition(at flame out) is for the nose.

Try this:

http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/calculator

I've never heard of any of those five board games. In fact, I haven't played a board game since I was a kid. How old are you?

Quote: onenickelmiracle

Why are you thecesspit? It doesn't seem too flattering a way to describe yourself.

It comes from around 1994... I was playing around with a friends web site called the Veb Village, which allowed you to create a little 'home' that linked to your home page. All very low tech, but at the time a dynamic web page was rare. I created my own home next to the edge of the village where there was several 'ponds', and called it the Cesspit as a joke, and later on my website was 'The Cesspit' because it was full of random crap and garbage I wanted to keep links to. I just kept the name from then on. No-one else seems to use it online.

Quote: tournamentking

I've never heard of any of those five board games. In fact, I haven't played a board game since I was a kid. How old are you?

The fact you've not played board games since you were a kid probably explains why you've not heard of many of the newer board games on the market. I'm old enough to not worry about how old I am when playing board games. As I've stated elsewhere, it's a big sub-culture, with plenty of people making a living from design and retail of board games, there's dozens of new titles coming out every month.

Crokinole is an old game from the 1800's : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crokinole, very popular among Mennonites, apparently.

The rest just goes to show there's plenty under heaven and hell we don't know about.

Quote: Mission146

10.) You mentioned that, given reasonably similar income levels, you're not willing to pay 100% of the tab on a first date because you believe that gender equality should exist in every sense of the word. For us guys out here that would deem it necessary to pay 100% for a first date unless the date specifically states she wants to go 50/50, (or pay for herself) do you recommend suggesting the split before you've even gone out, or is this something you address when the check is presented?

Quote: thecesspit

I suggest it before hand. I normally expect a first date to be coffee/beer/wine and a chat. If she can't pay for a coffee, or expects me to pay for the coffee, it shows that we aren't going to meet minds. If we go for dinner on a second date, I will bring up the subject while organizing it. If I am paying cos' I feel like treating them, I say so. And vice versa.

What has the reaction been by the women you have suggested this too?

Quote: thecesspit

I suggest it before hand. I normally expect a first date to be coffee/beer/wine and a chat. If she can't pay for a coffee, or expects me to pay for the coffee, it shows that we aren't going to meet minds. If we go for dinner on a second date, I will bring up the subject while organizing it. If I am paying cos' I feel like treating them, I say so. And vice versa..

How is this working out for you?

I have been recently exploring with my wife and some friends/family the whole Board and Card game world. Can be fun. I use to think of Board games as Bored games.

Good interview.

Do any women play Risk? I am not much of a board game player but I would really love to meet a woman that enjoys playing Risk. I don't know if my wives would appreciate it, but we all have secrets.

Quote: AxelWolf

How is this working out for you?

Fine. It's been an issue exactly once. If it was an issue more often, maybe I'd change my mind.

Considering most women I date have full time jobs that pay well, they all seem to think it's quite natural that we share the bills.

Quote: DRich

Good interview.

Do any women play Risk? I am not much of a board game player but I would really love to meet a woman that enjoys playing Risk. I don't know if my wives would appreciate it, but we all have secrets.

I've played Risk:Legacy with two ladies. I know another one who loves the more aggressive, attacking board games rather than the friendlier building stuff up games. She hates Risk, though... to her it's tedious and repetitive. I kind of agree, the original game has its failings.

Quote: Alan

You got to hop the hell out the wort for an IPA. First hop addition invokes bitterness and last hop addition(at flame out) is for the nose.

Try this:

http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/calculator

Thanks, I've used a similar calculator. I think my wort boils are probably an overall problem, especially the rapid cooling afterwards. I do have access to the wort chiller now, so that may make things easier next time around. I'm probably getting some off flavours that are masking the flavours, and not enough alpha-acid conversion. I've brewed with a friend with a far better set up and technique and things worked out better when making light, golden beers.