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Hey Kewl since you are our resident counting expert, I would like to know your opinion of the following movie? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11196036/
What about that movie with Rainman?
Wasn't there a movie on the MIT team?
What are the pros/cons of the various blackjack movies if you don't mind me asking.
.... We're going to bring this place back from the dead one mediocre thread at a time ....
The movie was reviewed over at WoV. Their take was the movie was not really about card counting.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestion
21, the movie was based on the book Bringing Down The House by Ben Mezrich. Some of the MIT blackjack team interviewed on Gambling With An Edge stated the book was about half right then the movie threw out that half too.
First, why are you asking me? If I remember correctly, several months ago, you opined that I am not really who I say I am and that all my knowledge comes from books. And your opinion has been frequently quoted on other forums by the resident KJ hater.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestion
Second, I never, ever claimed to be an expert at card counting, nor anything. I do what I do, which is mostly elementary card counting (yes learned from books and forum members) with my own twists to some things added over the years, but nothing groundbreaking, nor have I ever claimed that.
But I will answer. I didn't see the movie the card counter. I was interested prior to release based on the name, but as mickey stated, someone at WoV saw it the day it came out and reported that it really wasn't about card counting, more about an ex-military guy fighting demons from his past. So I didn't see it.
I began my career in 2004 and the movie "21" came out in 2007 or 2008, while I was still playing Atlantic City and playing lower limits building my bankroll. When that movie came out, first thing I though was this will be the end of card counting with the attention it would bring. I was wrong. Blackjack profits actually jumped in the years after the movie (and books) of the MIT team, as many new players inspired by the movie, had about half the knowledge they needed and very little bankroll. Other than that what I remember is there were a number of obvious mistakes, as tends to happen when Hollywood gets involved.
The one that really cracked me up, that you didn't mention was the card counting scene from the Hangover. Remember all those math formulas and equations that appeared in the air above the dude's head? As if THAT is what card counting is. :D
I asked you because I'd get a response. I asked you because you are into BJ in a big way and know far more than most APs. I asked you because your response might pull some trolls out of the woodwork.Quote:
Originally Posted by kewlJFirst, why are you asking me? If I remember correctly, several months ago, you opined that I am not really who I say I am and that all my knowledge comes from books. And your opinion has been frequently quoted on other forums by the resident KJ hater.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestion
Second, I never, ever claimed to be an expert at card counting, nor anything. I do what I do, which is mostly elementary card counting (yes learned from books and forum members) with my own twists to some things added over the years, but nothing groundbreaking, nor have I ever claimed that.
But I will answer. I didn't see the movie the card counter. I was interested prior to release based on the name, but as mickey stated, someone at WoV saw it the day it came out and reported that it really wasn't about card counting, more about an ex-military guy fighting demons from his past. So I didn't see it.
I began my career in 2004 and the movie "21" came out in 2007 or 2008, while I was still playing Atlantic City and playing lower limits building my bankroll. When that movie came out, first thing I though was this will be the end of card counting with the attention it would bring. I was wrong. Blackjack profits actually jumped in the years after the movie (and books) of the MIT team, as many new players inspired by the movie, had about half the knowledge they needed and very little bankroll. Other than that what I remember is there were a number of obvious mistakes, as tends to happen when Hollywood gets involved.
The one that really cracked me up, that you didn't mention was the card counting scene from the Hangover. Remember all those math formulas and equations that appeared in the air above the dude's head? As if THAT is what card counting is. :D
There was also some documentary I came across where some guy toured around the US in an RV or something. His dad had counted. It was ok and decent for a documentary. I believe it was on Prime.
The coolest scene I recall from a gambling movie is probably Casino Royale where they're in Monaco and the guy goes on some huge run that hurts the casino. I barely remember it, but the plaques and such.
That was KC. He sometimes posts on Norms forum. The doc is inside the edge. I really enjoyed that documentary. Much more so than the Holy Rollers, which seemed like the project was about the documentary, rather than the blackjack play. KC was out to win. And he did so big time the first 6 months, if I remember correctly. And then he lost half back and it sort of leveled off, maybe won a little towards the end of his year long trip.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestion
It was a fascinating case study of what card counting really is with the variance involved, winning big early, losing half back. I just don't think enough players really understand and/or are prepared for the variance that is card counting blackjack. And that includes some players that are making a living at it, and doing somewhat well, but still struggle with the variance and go ranting at normal loses, I won't mention any names. :rolleyes:
Anyway, while I enjoyed the documentary, I don't think I would enjoy experiencing that, living in the RV and traveling casino to casino.
Well that’s because counting is a hobby for you, and you are a kept House boy for rich in the closet business men. Strutting around the house wearing his wife’s mandi power shoulder midi dress for easy access.Quote:
Originally Posted by kewlJThat was KC. He sometimes posts on Norms forum. The doc is inside the edge. I really enjoyed that documentary. Much more so than the Holy Rollers, which seemed like the project was about the documentary, rather than the blackjack play. KC was out to win. And he did so big time the first 6 months, if I remember correctly. And then he lost half back and it sort of leveled off, maybe won a little towards the end of his year long trip.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestion
It was a fascinating case study of what card counting really is with the variance involved, winning big early, losing half back. I just don't think enough players really understand and/or are prepared for the variance that is card counting blackjack. And that includes some players that are making a living at it, and doing somewhat well, but still struggle with the variance and go ranting at normal loses, I won't mention any names. :rolleyes:
Anyway, while I enjoyed the documentary, I don't think I would enjoy experiencing that, living in the RV and traveling casino to casino.
RVs are kinda stressful to drive around much. If you're not towing a vehicle then you're not that mobile when you arrive. If you're towing a vehicle then it is just that much more to deal with driving. They're cool and all but really require some planning. I love the idea though or the idea of going casino to casino.Quote:
Originally Posted by kewlJ
It was a cool documentary to randomly come across on Prime one night. I quite enjoyed it.
One doesn't need an RV or any kind of vehicle to sleep in to travel around the country visiting casinos. I have Wyndom, Choice, Trivago and Trip Adviser apps on my phone. I mostly do same day reservations. I also mix in casino hotel comp in certain areas.
Some months my hotel bill is nothing. Other months its pretty high. But its easy to do and I have all the conveniences, daily showers, cable TV, breakfast, etc.
I have a rolling piece of luggage with toiletries, laptop, bi-pap, and I bring in only one change of clothes at a time for an overnight stay.
I see people loading 3 or 4 pieces of luggage onto a cart and wheeling it to their room....then the next day I'm rolling my one piece out and they are carting out that 3 or 4 piece of luggage to their car. WTF? I see that shit all the time.
I always book handicapped rooms so I know I will be on the ground floor unless they have an elevator.
An RV is a black hole you throw money down then you have the high fuel bill and maintenace and slow going when negotiating towns. RV's are costly and a lot of work. Fuck all that.
Care to give a rundown of these 4 services? I strictly use hotels.com for whatever reason. 20 years ago a friend was hired there after we were laid off lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeycrimm
I always assume they are about the same. Hotels.com gives 10% via free rooms if you sign-up. Clearly 10% can be bullshit if the rooms cost 10% more etc.
I've decided with this whole recession thing going and my business seemingly on the rocks I am going to spend more effort in being money concious. I have been living pretty good for a few years. Found out I got $375 + 200 comps at caesars. Then I get 3 nights at Aria for free. Considering going back to LV for a week. Renting a car is a huge benefit. I can park at mgm for free even when staying at Caesars. hrmmmmm.
I need a meta search engine to compare various sources. I see trivago does that. I once used some last minute service and it ended up being a complete nuisance where I had to sit around in the lobby for 1/2 an hour while some foreigner straightened out whatever the issue was... went back to hotels.com but I'd like other outs for the road trip I'm itching to take.
I'll start a thread on hotels.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestionCare to give a rundown of these 4 services? I strictly use hotels.com for whatever reason. 20 years ago a friend was hired there after we were laid off lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeycrimm
I always assume they are about the same. Hotels.com gives 10% via free rooms if you sign-up. Clearly 10% can be bullshit if the rooms cost 10% more etc.
I've decided with this whole recession thing going and my business seemingly on the rocks I am going to spend more effort in being money concious. I have been living pretty good for a few years. Found out I got $375 + 200 comps at caesars. Then I get 3 nights at Aria for free. Considering going back to LV for a week. Renting a car is a huge benefit. I can park at mgm for free even when staying at Caesars. hrmmmmm.
I need a meta search engine to compare various sources. I see trivago does that. I once used some last minute service and it ended up being a complete nuisance where I had to sit around in the lobby for 1/2 an hour while some foreigner straightened out whatever the issue was... went back to hotels.com but I'd like other outs for the road trip I'm itching to take.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeycrimmI'll start a thread on hotels.Quote:
Originally Posted by accountinquestionCare to give a rundown of these 4 services? I strictly use hotels.com for whatever reason. 20 years ago a friend was hired there after we were laid off lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeycrimm
I always assume they are about the same. Hotels.com gives 10% via free rooms if you sign-up. Clearly 10% can be bullshit if the rooms cost 10% more etc.
I've decided with this whole recession thing going and my business seemingly on the rocks I am going to spend more effort in being money concious. I have been living pretty good for a few years. Found out I got $375 + 200 comps at caesars. Then I get 3 nights at Aria for free. Considering going back to LV for a week. Renting a car is a huge benefit. I can park at mgm for free even when staying at Caesars. hrmmmmm.
I need a meta search engine to compare various sources. I see trivago does that. I once used some last minute service and it ended up being a complete nuisance where I had to sit around in the lobby for 1/2 an hour while some foreigner straightened out whatever the issue was... went back to hotels.com but I'd like other outs for the road trip I'm itching to take.
If you've done enough on Priceline to become a VIP (doesn't take much), you can access the "buy-it-blind" options where you commit to a property based on location, price, and stars without a name reveal.
I've done the majority of my hotel pricing on hotels.com, matching account's experiences, and hotels.com is generally, I think, an easy to navigate default option. But I have been able to beat the hotels.com pricing, using the VIP Priceline stuff, sometimes significantly. The trick for Las Vegas is to check the amenities list and star option and resort fee amount. If you do that, you can cross-reference the no-name listing on Priceline with the name listing on Priceline, and usually you can pin down which hotel is actually the "no name" listing. So you are buying the "no name" listing while actually knowing the likely hotel and beating the name price. For LV, you might get fooled once in ten tries and wind up somewhere other than what you surmised.
But don't take my word for it. I'm a reliable source, as account posits in his tagline.