I created a monster.

[peaegg]

common sense?

... An AP needs discipline and common sense. ...

Bojack, 100% agree with the need of discipline. Could you elaborate on what you view as the necessary AP's "common sense"?

 

[Machinist]

Humility is an important trait for this activity. Arrogance will blind you. If you cannot master your feelings, it is all too easy to become consumed by the dark side of gambling.

So true flyingwind ...... so true...
The darkside is a very very dark place... I will pull and pull at you.....Especially when you are young and just starting out....

Machinist

 

[assume_R]

The darkside is a very very dark place... I will pull and pull at you.....Especially when you are young and just starting out....

I assume you meant "it will pull and pull at you", but I like it this way better, machinist! haha

 

[blackjack avenger]

Seriously?

Nonsense. You are reading too many romanticized novels. I have been in this game a long time. An AP needs discipline and common sense. I agree you need confidence in what you do, but arrogance ends AP careers. And no need to be an aggressive person, just do your job as its supposed to be done. That may or may not make you aggressive, but it by no means is a prerequisite. The most dangerous AP is a versatile one, one that cannot be categorized. One that can be whatever it is thats needed to get the job done. Aggressive acts can be done by a passive personality when one is well versed in the task to be accomplished.

Nonsense, you are joking right?
I said confidence bordering on arrogance.
If extremely confident works better for you, that is fine
Where does extreme confidene come from? skill and experience, do you deny these are important?
I don't see where we particuarly disagree
Can't recall the last time I read a novel.
What I mean by aggressive is it takes a certian type to bet thousands on 1 round and to stomach the losses. Probably many APs fail because they lack the necessry kill instinct and the fortitude to handle the variance. Do you doubt this? Shall I add fearless in face of casino personel harrasement?

Even many good player can't handle
betting big
spreading when needed
taking heat
handling variance
Many new players are often commenting on this site how they are having trouble handling the above in one form or another.

All the above can possibly be summed up in one word
doubt

Many even if successful may lack the above qualities to do anything but be small players.

Your term humility, I don't think I would list that as one of the top personality traits of an AP. Yes, of course one can be humble while still confident.
:joker::whip:

 

[kewljason]

So true flyingwind ...... so true...
The darkside is a very very dark place... I will pull and pull at you.....Especially when you are young and just starting out....

Machinist

I guess I have been lucky as I have never felt the slightest pull from this very very dark place that you often speak of, Machinist. From my dealing with AP's on the message boards and the few that I have met in person, I would say that AP's are probably smarter then the general gambling public. They understand the house edge and odds against them in many different games, that much of the gambling public doesn't. And any sucessful AP must possess extreme discipline. This combination of knowledge and discipline should be enough to avoid such temptation, I would think. If it isn't, I am not sure how they could have been an a successful AP to begin with. I know addiction is a powerful thing and no offense to those folk that get caught up in gambling addiction, but in many cases they appear to be not all that bright and certainly are rather weak. Again, I don't mean to put anyone down, and maybe I can't relate having never felt that pull. I played Video poker for about 9 months a while back, but I had specific goal laid out ahead of time (wanted to build up my points and tier level and earn better comps) and when I reached these goal I immediately stopped playing. Even Today, I still get cashback from this play, which must be played through before cashing out, and I count out the number of plays I need and then cash out immediately. I would never consider playing even one extra hand beyond what is necessary for cashout.

 

[Machinist]

Kj

KJ i have met some sick twisted bstrds in my days. I guess my view comes from the machine end of AP stuff. These people are sick gambling idiots....
Some of the Bashers have seen these guys in action and know what i am talking about.
It makes me puke to think of some of the money these guys have fricked off!!!

Machinist

 

[shadroch]

A few years back I created a monster as well. A 20 something yr old kid with a knack for the game approached me about learning to really play with an advantage. I showed him what I knew and kind of mentored him along the way. He was good, very good, one of the few I would ever say that about. Problem was, there is more to it than just being good at cards. It seems it went to his head and my advice and experience meant nothing because he thought he now knew it all and went his own way. Don't have a clue today what happened to that kid, we don't talk anymore. But I do hope at the very least he has memories of being very successful at something so few ever do, and I hope he has learned the humility that comes with it too. But unfortunately, I somehow doubt it.

I was on that other board as you were mentoring him and I remember him turning on you accusing you of being jealous and such. I also remember that you helped him out after he got stuck with several thousand dollars worth of chips he couldn't cash, even after he had turned on you and said quite a few nasty things.

 

[Bojack1]

Nonsense, you are joking right?
I said confidence bordering on arrogance.
If extremely confident works better for you, that is fine
Where does extreme confidene come from? skill and experience, do you deny these are important?
I don't see where we particuarly disagree
Can't recall the last time I read a novel.
What I mean by aggressive is it takes a certian type to bet thousands on 1 round and to stomach the losses. Probably many APs fail because they lack the necessry kill instinct and the fortitude to handle the variance. Do you doubt this? Shall I add fearless in face of casino personel harrasement?

Even many good player can't handle
betting big
spreading when needed
taking heat
handling variance
Many new players are often commenting on this site how they are having trouble handling the above in one form or another.

All the above can possibly be summed up in one word
doubt

Many even if successful may lack the above qualities to do anything but be small players.

Your term humility, I don't think I would list that as one of the top personality traits of an AP. Yes, of course one can be humble while still confident.
:joker::whip:

Yes I agree with everything you say here, except for humility. Only the best ever experience true humility because they are the only ones who lay it out on the line. Think of it as a world class fighter. He may have to fight the best, and be confident in his ability, but if he loses a real champion will have the sense to understand what went wrong and adapt to the elite . If not then the lack of humility leads to talent that does not reach potential. You can only understand humility by being good at something first. If you never felt humility, you were never that good.

 

[Bojack1]

I was on that other board as you were mentoring him and I remember him turning on you accusing you of being jealous and such. I also remember that you helped him out after he got stuck with several thousand dollars worth of chips he couldn't cash, even after he had turned on you and said quite a few nasty things.

Hate to admit it shad, but losing this kid bothered me more than I like to admit. Its like losing a girl you think will never leave you. Even when they come back the trust is gone. Just part of the game

 

[blackjack avenger]

BS over Meditation?

Yes I agree with everything you say here, except for humility. Only the best ever experience true humility because they are the only ones who lay it out on the line. Think of it as a world class fighter. He may have to fight the best, and be confident in his ability, but if he loses a real champion will have the sense to understand what went wrong and adapt to the elite . If not then the lack of humility leads to talent that does not reach potential. You can only understand humility by being good at something first. If you never felt humility, you were never that good.

If I said the above you probably would have accused me of reading to many romance novels or perhaps eastern philosphy.

So if one is not humble they are nor truly skilled, the best?
I would think skill in CC play would involve:
strength of count
ability to scan a table
establish TC
bank management
BS known
casino comportment
Most of these items can be simmed and I don't recall a humility prompt on any sim. I feel confident that many here are better players then the most humble civilian.

But I can find a point of agreemnet, one probably does have to be calm in the storm of the casino so you can take in all information and not be overwhelmed by the fight or flight response to stress while betting thousands per round.
:joker::whip: