Creating an AP team

I'm curious, how do elite advantage play teams typically form?

For example, how would somebody like James Grosjean go about identifying potential recruits? It seems like finding someone with the right attributes would be quite difficult, and he has to be able to trust his team never to reveal secrets, either on purpose or accidentally, including the members he deems "disposable."

Quote: MrGoldenSun

I'm curious, how do elite advantage play teams typically form?

Someone makes a movie about it?

Quote: MrGoldenSun

For example, how would somebody like James Grosjean go about... .

I'm curious too. Didn't Grosjean claim he was thrown out of a casino for, basically, loitering; and that he sued and won half a million?

Word of mouth... It's quite inevitable that you'll run in to other AP's at your local shops. IF/When you potentially have a discussion with them (which is what I like to do) then you can tell fairly quickly if they know what they're doing or not. If they do, then you typically become friends and maybe update each other on the statuses such as heat or other daily variables/conditions.

After that if you have the opportunity for a play, or want to team up, you just ask one another and if all parties are in favor, then you move forward... If not, then you don't. I've also seen a couple postings on forums requesting to start a team. I looked in to one a while back and they had a decent set up, but wanted to essentially "Lone Wolf" it and my business partner and I didn't feel comfortable putting up the amount of money they wanted without the trust.

The trust factor is the biggest part of a team... Which is why teams also sometimes form around family/friends. People you think you can trust because you've known a long time. I can make anyone an AP... But I can't trust just anyone =).

Quote: TheGrimReaper13

...I'm curious too. Didn't Grosjean claim he was thrown out of a casino for, basically, loitering; and that he sued and won half a million?

www.blackjackforumonline.com/content/funnything.htm

(You'll have to paste the link into your browser)

Yes, when getting thrown out means being forceably pulled back into a place you've already left and detained there. The casino industry has a funny way of going about their business.

Quote: Romes

Word of mouth... It's quite inevitable that you'll run in to other AP's at your local shops. IF/When you potentially have a discussion with them (which is what I like to do) then you can tell fairly quickly if they know what they're doing or not.

This makes sense. But I remember reading Ian Anderson saying he never talks about counting in the casino even with other players he identifies as counters. I guess maybe he's mostly solo.

Quote:

The trust factor is the biggest part of a team... Which is why teams also sometimes form around family/friends. People you think you can trust because you've known a long time. I can make anyone an AP... But I can't trust just anyone =).

Right, and I would think for someone like Grosjean it would be particularly critical because he seems to rely a lot on "uncommon" plays and plays for big money. So it seems infeasible to just go grab a random AP.

Quote: MrGoldenSun

This makes sense. But I remember reading Ian Anderson saying he never talks about counting in the casino even with other players he identifies as counters. I guess maybe he's mostly solo.

...I didn't say in the casino ;). If you identify each other then you simply make small talk to let them know you're also an AP (without discussing specifics) then ask them to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

Quote: MrGoldenSun

Right, and I would think for someone like Grosjean it would be particularly critical because he seems to rely a lot on "uncommon" plays and plays for big money. So it seems infeasible to just go grab a random AP.

Yeah he has a line up of people wanting to play with/for him of course. I'm sure he can just hand pick people with good references, thus creating the trust needed due to other trusted sources vouching.