Lots of a new posters...

[Lonesome Gambler]

I certainly don't want to discourage anyone assisting new players legitimately looking for information and guidance, but it does seem odd that there's been such a sudden influx of new players introducing themselves to the site. Maybe Ken's been doing some SEO work, or maybe there was a game protection conference somewhere. Either way, I always prefer to err on the side of paranoid when it comes to sensitive information.

Again, I'm sure many or all of the new posters are legit, but there's no reason not to be cautious and many reasons to be.

 

[Midwestern]

the site is open for browsing and free to join.

here's my take on the matter:
a google search for "blackjack message boards" shows Blackjackinfo.com as the top result.

the information on these message boards/site is open to the public and information is readily available for anyone to read, even if they don't have a login. that means joe ploppy, your local pitboss, and James Grosjean can poke around here and we would never know.

Therefore for every active poster on this site, there may be 10X number of lurkers who are just searching the right keywords and learning from our discussions.

in fact, that's what I did before I had the gumption to sign up for a username and start posting myself. I learned a little bit, bought a few books, logged a few practice hours, and now as a more astute student of the game, Now i can (hopefully) engage in higher-level, intelligent converations regarding playing strategy.

the fact that someone has taken the time to sign in, select a witty username and post an introductory statement takes a little bit of moxie! I think it also shows a certain level of wanting to be involved in the AP community, as well as dedication to getting better at the game of BJ. I would think that those who intend to abuse the information this site wouldn't be doing such a thing so as to make themselves stand out so clearly!!

I have a hypothesis that the shut-down of online poker websites is what is causing this influx of new members. The "two plus two" forum was pretty much the de-facto online community for poker players. Now that online poker players are stuck twiddling their thumbs, they probably headed to their local brick n' mortar casinos for action. Realizing that 15 hands an hour in live poker is 1/100th the excitement and action of multi-tabling online, these players look to other games for faster action. All of a sudden these people "remember" that blackjack is a beatable game and realize that they don't know jack sh*t about it. If Blackjackinfo.com forums are now the "two plus two", i.e. the defacto online community of the AP BJ world, then congratulations to Ken Smith for building a site that has gone viral.

all in all, i just think the paranoia is a bit much when you consider what really is at stake. after all, there's nothing on this site that you can't find better-said in a book- be it Peter Griffin's Theory of BJ, Stanford Wong's Professional BJ, or any other reference - including comps, cover, Holecarding, or anything else.

just one more comment and ill finish making my point: what if all regular users of this site signed up for the Casino Gaming Floor Personnel message boards (linked below)? would we be gleaning any special info that the average AP didn't already know? ... not really.... The regulars would probably be just as alarmed but it wouldn't really change anything.

http://gamingfloor.biz/forum/index.php?

just my two cents

 

[itrack]

I have a hypothesis that the shut-down of online poker websites is what is causing this influx of new members.

I think this also might be the case. I honestly hope that it isn't, but it is very possible.

 

[Coyote]

in fact, that's what I did before I had the gumption to sign up for a username and start posting myself. I learned a little bit, bought a few books, logged a few practice hours, and now as a more astute student of the game, Now i can (hopefully) engage in higher-level, intelligent converations regarding playing strategy.

As one new to the forum, the above is also true of my situation. I never was involved with online poker however. Really, I was never a fan of casinos until a trip to Vegas a few years back when a friend introduced me to blackjack. I've been caught up in it ever since; devouring any information I could get ahold of. Then in my search I found this site and "lurked" also for about a year. I would say the lurking was out of intimidation.

In my opinion it is best for a new player to search the forum threads and learn what is available here before posting too much. All you guys and gals here have helped me tremendously without knowing it and for that I thank you!
:grin:

Coyote

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

Great post, Midwestern. I also considered the poker link. I agree that there's not much to be found here that isn't readily available elsewhere, but it's always good to exercise caution.

 

[Gamblor]

Great post, Midwestern. I also considered the poker link. I agree that there's not much to be found here that isn't readily available elsewhere, but it's always good to exercise caution.

Agreed, a book is more comprehensive and organized, but also keep in mind some people are just to lazy or cheap to buy a book.

 

[Gamblor]

Also for a while I thought the new posters might just have been Cardcounter

 

[zengrifter]

I have a hypothesis that the shut-down of online poker websites is what is causing this influx of new members. The "two plus two" forum was pretty much the de-facto online community for poker players. Now that online poker players are stuck twiddling their thumbs, they probably headed to their local brick n' mortar casinos for action. Realizing that 15 hands an hour in live poker is 1/100th the excitement and action of multi-tabling online, these players look to other games for faster action. All of a sudden these people "remember" that blackjack is a beatable game and realize that they don't know jack sh*t about it. If Blackjackinfo.com forums are now the "two plus two", i.e. the defacto online community of the AP BJ world, then congratulations to Ken Smith for building a site that has gone viral.

Its a big leap from online poker to real BJ. Seems more logical the leep from online to real poker. zg

 

[Tragical Mirth]

I've been one of those lurkers for about a year and a half and finally decided that it was time I started posting (actually signed up over a year ago, I just never posted anything). I think what really kept me from posting anything was that a search would bring up any information that I needed. Since I feel I have progressed to a point that I have a few questions that are more specific to my experiences/playing habitat, and I feel that I *might* be able to contribute a little something, I started posting. It also helped that there were a few other new posters; you guys can be intimidating sometimes. I have also never been an online poker player.

Trag