We have no guest this week. Bob and I answer questions from our listeners. We always welcome your questions so post them below, or send them to us at [email protected].
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Show Notes
[00:58] All the AP opportunities in Macau
[03:43] VP player playing slot machines for cover
[05:19] Traveling BR. Flying v.s. driving with cash
[09:31] Comp games outside Las Vegas. The games Richard and Bob play and average hours per week.
[12:07] Leaving a job in order to become an AP. Advantages of being older
[15:24] Life before AP for Bob and Richard
[19:44] Part-time card counter’s BR management
[21:56] Slot AP turning card counter is asking for advanced learning resources
[23:27] How to network with other players
[29:43] Getting nervous with losing big bets
[32:27] A strategy for VP points challenge
[35:09] Sports betting: can you win money by betting the opposite side of terrible sports bettors?
[37:49] Is AP a gateway to crimes?
[40:13] Do you quit playing a session when you are behind?
[46:00] Weight-loss bet stories
Rick Blaine: Blackjack Blueprint https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/blackjack-blueprint/
Standford Wong: Professional Black Jack http://amzn.to/2ystjUo
Ken Uston https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Uston
Blackjack Apprenticeship: https://www.blackjackapprenticeship.com/
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On that how to handle risking big bets. I had a similar hangup. Finally I decided to deal with it. I think the only way to really deal with it is to do it AND lose. I recall having table max (only $300 where I was playing) and getting a hand that called for a split. Split. 300 became 600. One of the hands became an 11. which called for a double down, so that was 1200 on the table. Dealer beat both hands. This may not be much to some, but for me it represented a huge huge huge mental breakthrough.
I thought I’d be devastated but I looked, shrugged my shoulders cashed out and went home recalling something I read a long time ago: I expect long term EV, not a particular win or loss. Even though I have the advantage, it is not guaranteed that I’d win. Having experienced that, I’m far more comfortable with larger bets and I’m more concerned with proper play than the actual amount on the table.
Side note: I suggest nervous people, who don’t smoke, to get a fidget spinner or some other stress relief device when facing these fears.
Also, it’s really important to realize that if you’re not being reckless with your money (using mortgage, rent, car note, etc. to gamble), the loss is not a loss of lifestyle. You bring what you can lose. It’s the attachment that generates the fear not the actual amount (imo)