Scattered Thoughts

I always have a list – actually many files – titled “Things I Will Write About Sometime,” many coming from reader questions and comments. Here are some of those things – some recent – some old.

—

Learning a new word, from someone who responded to my sadness about not being able to hug my little great-grands during this pandemic.  He said I am missing “oxytocin.”  Yes, I can’t wait until I can satisfy this “cuddle hormone.”

—

Many readers have commented about the Blackjack Ball that I wrote about in an earlier blog.    I think there is perhaps a growing interest in blackjack, particularly among players who in the past had concentrated their casino action to VP. For one reason, this stay-at-home period has given them the extra time they knew they needed to study a new game. And another reason is that many fear that video poker conditions, which had already been deteriorating fast before the shut-down, might become even worse when casinos open again.  They want more options.  In that blog I gave a list of links to writings about the Blackjack Ball.  Here are a couple more recent and very detailed ones by Henry Tamburin – Part 1 and Part 2.

One caution here: This Corona shutdown, no matter how long it lasts, will not be enough time to become a “blackjack expert.”  The learning curve for any gambling game is steep and long. It is not just learning the rules and strategy.  It isn’t even just practicing for hours or even days on software programs.  That is all good but it also requires in-person experience – lots of it.  For someone who is just starting out on the BJ path – or any other game path for that matter – the best you can expect when the casinos reopen is to lose a little less money than you would have if you never studied.  And for the recreational gambler that is a worthy goal.

—

Every once in awhile a newbie would ask me whether Brad and I gambled smart when we first started visiting Vegas.  That first visit was in 1984.  Just last month we reached the 36-year milestone.  I would point them to a blog I wrote 6 years ago about that first visit.

—

A few people have been asking what happened to my queenofcomps.com website. It was run by someone else since I am not technically savvy enough to handle such a thing.  It served a good purpose for many years, but needed a major update.  So, it was decided to have visitors to that site re-directed here to the LVA website.  Much of the information there was updated and you can now find it by just looking above this blog and you will be able to click on a couple of new tabs.  The “About Jean Scott” one is a bio with info that has been accumulating for many years  – and I added needed up-to-date details.  Click on the next new tab and you will find links to articles that often reveal unfamiliar details of our frugal gambling life.  You will also find a list of  websites and resources that can help you achieve better gambling results.  I plan to keep these pages up to date as things change, probably majorly when the casinos reopen.

—

And now for a recent comment here on my blog.  I often get a smile from many of the comments you all write.  But this one made Brad and me laugh for hours.

It is with the greatest respect I write this…
I’ve told endless numbers of gamblers about your book The Frugal Gambler. It changed the way I play and I have so enjoyed your informative comments. Thanks again.

But, I write this to let you know that I predicted this would happen……..if you and Brad ever left Vegas the entire place would shut down!