I guess I'm subscribed to this thread or something as it popped up. Anyways: Hey, you're famous Quiet Lion!!!

I saw you on Ultimate Poker Challenge the other night. It was taped at The Plaza in Vegas I think, probably a re-run since it was late at night. You were in seat #5 I think and I heard them mention something about "The Lion" and it piqued my interest having read about you here on FT. Then you were in this hand and they continued to comment about you, this time referring to you as "Quiet Lion" (which I knew must have been you). Anyways, you were giving your Indian opponent (in seat #4 I think) a staredown or something. And then when you checked on the river after filling your inside straight the commentators started dissing you since it was a split pot and you should have bet it. Then right after that they had a little segment about you and how you developed Microsoft Word way back with Bill Gates. Oh well. It was cool to see an FTer on TV after reading some of your posts. ^ ^ ^ ^

BTW, sorry to butt into this thread as my above observation is probably posted on another thread here on FT, I just don't visit the Vegas Forum often.........the wife won't let me go to Vegas anymore now that I'm married.... :(

That's funny about the "hit and run" on the outside-I do the same thing. If I'm walking through and see that 4 or 5 reds or blacks have come up in a row I'll throw down $20 or $40, figuring the odds are in my favor. Works more often than not!

As to video poker over slots, anyone else play "video blackjack" or whatever you might term it? It's not widespread like VP but man I found a machine at the Aladdin that was verrry nice to me. Put in $100, bet $10 a hand (max credits) and would up cashing out $700. If you just play basic strategy, I can sometimes make my money last a long time on those things. And at some of the VP bars, I've been able to play the video blackjack and gets lots of free drinks. :D

How is it any more mindless than playing basic strategy black jack? You're on auto-pilot doing either one. Aside from poker and craps, all casino games are pretty dull.

I don't really know about that. There is more thought process and human interaction than a slot. Deciding whether to double down or split is a basic strategy decision but sometimes if you are on a roll you might make decisions that you normally wouldn't. Only decisions in slots are how many credits to play!

People vs Machines
 

Something about gambling with other human beings involved.
Especially nice looking female ones. Way more fun than a mindless machine.
Nothing like some social interaction to highlight a winning run.
Yes, when doing Basic Strategy in BJ its auto pilot.
But way more fun when you get delt 4 Eights in a row with a dealer
bust card up. Or when the deck is so "in your favor" that you just
smile from ear to ear and load it up and enjoy. That just does not happen in slots or VP.

I notice that the people having the most fun always seem to be the ones who have no clue what they're doing. They lose but damn it they're losing with a smile on their face. Slots are beyond boring and I cannot fathom how anyone gets enjoyment out of it. No argument there.

But don;t let me discourage you from playing, someone needs to pay my taxes for me :)

9/6 Jacks or Better pays back 99.54% with perfect play, and many places have cashback on top of that.

QL

Yes, that was me. I really want to see those shows, but it's not on in Seattle.

I don't remember the details of the hand against SK. Was there a possible flush?

QL

No it doesn't. :)

Most of those machines only pay even money for blackjack, making the odds pretty poor.

QL

6:5 is bad enough; 1:1 for blackjack is just plain horrible.

There is a very helpful chapter in this book about this misunderstanding.

^ ^ EXCELLENT... I often just speak in generalities... as I am too lazy to look up the exact numbers... and 99.54% doesn't always stick in my mind...

Come to think of it... not a lot has been sticking in my memory lately :D

9/6 JoB is a great game... but, as in all VP games, you really do have to hit those Royals !

Yes, Yes... the beauty of independent events.... of course, this argument starts to go out the window when dealing with craps and dice control...
But, I guess, it is really NOT an independent random event when you are controlling the dice. :D

While I would never say that the odds are "in your favor" --- I would go so far as to say that there are far worse things that you can do in gaming than following the trend....

Well I was speaking from my own personal anectodal evidence. For me, it has worked a number of times which made for quick, exciting winnings. Of course the odds aren't really in my favor, but hey, if you're feeling lucky why not.

This, BTW, is why I really, really want to own a casino.