New Ask the Wizard column
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November 5th, 2013 at 8:57:20 AM
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Due to popular demand, I'm bringing back the Ask the Wizard column. I just wrote the first edition since June 2012. Please check out edition #281. All comments and corrections are welcome before I publish it to the rest of the world.
Also, if anybody thinks another topic discussed in the forum is worthy of the next column, please feel free to make suggestions, preferably with a link.
Also, if anybody thinks another topic discussed in the forum is worthy of the next column, please feel free to make suggestions, preferably with a link.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 5th, 2013 at 9:07:05 AM
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Typo in the last formula of the 1st answer. You say 2^20 but then compute 2^18 (262,144). Should be 1,048,576.
Also, the variable names in the answer don't match the variable names in the question. n and t vs. n and k.
Also, the variable names in the answer don't match the variable names in the question. n and t vs. n and k.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
November 5th, 2013 at 9:16:55 AM
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This might just be my personal style but on # 2 where you have "If you show identification but decline to produce or declare a valid identification number" you might want to change it to something like "but decline to produce or declare a valid social security or other tax identification number."
To me it just reads a little better and I do not believe a casino is going to be able to accept say a Drivers License number or just any old number, it is probably going to need to be attached to tax payments.
To me it just reads a little better and I do not believe a casino is going to be able to accept say a Drivers License number or just any old number, it is probably going to need to be attached to tax payments.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
November 5th, 2013 at 9:22:24 AM
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I feel like you could have added a little bit more info on the W2-G question, but I know tax issues are always a headache...which is the exact word you used!
Basically if you don't provide an SSN, they will withhold the percentage. And there's no way to get it back, right? No SSN means no way to take credit for that tax already paid.
Basically if you don't provide an SSN, they will withhold the percentage. And there's no way to get it back, right? No SSN means no way to take credit for that tax already paid.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
November 5th, 2013 at 9:34:14 AM
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Thanks for the comments so far.
I was going over all kinds of sources to try to answer that answer properly, but didn't trust myself to understand the tax code properly. So, assume there is somebody who doesn't produce a tax identification number. How much will be withheld in the following situations.
Winner from U.S., win under $5,000
Winner from U.S., win at least $5,000
Winner from a tax treaty country, win under $5,000
Winner from a tax treaty country, win at least $5,000
Winner from a non-tax treaty country, win under $5,000
Winner from a non-tax treaty country, win at least $5,000
Can anyone give me an exact percentage for all six groups? Are there any other criteria the withholding depends on?
Quote: AcesAndEightsI feel like you could have added a little bit more info on the W2-G question, but I know tax issues are always a headache...which is the exact word you used!
I was going over all kinds of sources to try to answer that answer properly, but didn't trust myself to understand the tax code properly. So, assume there is somebody who doesn't produce a tax identification number. How much will be withheld in the following situations.
Winner from U.S., win under $5,000
Winner from U.S., win at least $5,000
Winner from a tax treaty country, win under $5,000
Winner from a tax treaty country, win at least $5,000
Winner from a non-tax treaty country, win under $5,000
Winner from a non-tax treaty country, win at least $5,000
Can anyone give me an exact percentage for all six groups? Are there any other criteria the withholding depends on?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 5th, 2013 at 9:46:47 AM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
November 5th, 2013 at 10:09:59 AM
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I don't know whether you have been editing while the comments have been coming in or not. The W2G question (right now) says:
A tad redundant.
Quote:If you show identification but decline to produce or declare a valid but decline to produce or declare a valid....
A tad redundant.
November 5th, 2013 at 1:29:25 PM
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Quote: WizardAlso, if anybody thinks another topic discussed in the forum is worthy of the next column, please feel free to make suggestions, preferably with a link.
I have found it a little curious that some of our smarter members [even] sometimes have trouble handling a few canards that are out there. I don't believe you have ever exactly addressed this one touted by MsNiceGirl. Although I'm *not* one of our smarter members, I thought I could handle this one. Clearly I was unable to convince her.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/craps/11853-dark-side-strategies/2/#post211430
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
November 5th, 2013 at 3:38:41 PM
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Quote: odiousgambitI don't believe you have ever exactly addressed this one touted by MsNiceGirl...
I'm not big on discussions on various mixtures of bets and betting strategies. I've said thousands of times to minimize the house edge. I don't want to sound like a broken record criticizing her for taking down her odds bets.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 5th, 2013 at 3:53:10 PM
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Quote: WizardI'm not big on discussions on various mixtures of bets and betting strategies. I've said thousands of times to minimize the house edge. I don't want to sound like a broken record criticizing her for taking down her odds bets.
The odds are the odds. I don't understand why people want to debate them or find ways to think they avoid them. Honestly I wonder how sometimes you just don't blow up over these arguments on how to beat numbers.
November 5th, 2013 at 4:23:05 PM
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Quote: BozHonestly I wonder how sometimes you just don't blow up over these arguments on how to beat numbers.
My philosophy is that I can only lead a horse to water.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
