You’ve heard the expression “Quit when you’re ahead,” applied to gambling. You’ve also heard, “When you’re on a hot streak, keep firing away!” These two bromides give opposite advice on what you should do when you actually hit a big jackpot. The first says go home. The second says stay and keep playing. Continue reading Quitting When I’m Ahead
Author: Bob Dancer
“Always Do Your Best” is Questionable Advice
How many times growing up were you told to always do your best? How many times have you told it to your own kids or grandkids?
While it has a catchy ring to it, it is basically terrible, short-sighted advice that’s impossible to follow. Continue reading “Always Do Your Best” is Questionable Advice
Drivers, Pilots, Artists, and Perfectionists
Perhaps twenty years ago, I attended a series of motivational lectures by Dr. William Kerley. Near the end of the last lecture, he spoke of the time when he was hired by Continental Airlines to give classes to their non-pilots on how to deal with pilots. To properly understand what pilots went through, he spent many hours in flight simulators for a variety of airplanes. (This happened before 9/11). Continue reading Drivers, Pilots, Artists, and Perfectionists
Going Down in Stakes
More than a decade before I started playing video poker, I was doing my best to make it as a backgammon player. In the 1980s, I regularly played at the Cavendish West, located in West Hollywood, California, right where the Sunset Strip met Beverly Hills. Continue reading Going Down in Stakes
How Do You Figure?
I receive a lot of mail addressed to [email protected]. These are primarily from podcast listeners who hope I can answer one of their questions. Continue reading How Do You Figure?
Opportunity versus Circumstance
I recently was reminded of a quote by George Bernard Shaw. “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them.” Continue reading Opportunity versus Circumstance
How Do I Answer?
I was playing 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe at the South Point on a double point day. A lady I’ve known for years, “Sandy,” sat down to play at the machine next to me. She’s a fairly recent widow and I knew her husband as well. We’re friendly, but not close friends. Continue reading How Do I Answer?
Bankroll Concern
I ran into a man, “Paul,” who had taken several of my classes. I remember Paul as a better-than-average student. I believe he makes good “what game to play” decisions and will have a strategy card with him. When we met in early January, I recommended that he play the South Point promotion because I thought it was a good one for him. Continue reading Bankroll Concern
Lifetime Winnings
Every year, the video poker bulletin board vpFREE asks its members to participates in various polls. One recent one was “What was your total lifetime VP profit or loss (include all cash or cash equivalents received) as of 31 DEC 2015?” Continue reading Lifetime Winnings
2016 Blackjack Ball
Once a year for the past 20 years, the finest blackjack players in the world get together for an evening of drinking, visiting, drinking, dining, drinking, and testing themselves against one another. The event is hosted by wit and raconteur Max Rubin with some help from Barona Casino. A few lawyers and other gambling professionals are also invited, including one grateful video poker writer and teacher. Continue reading 2016 Blackjack Ball