Angry Ploppy Explodes

[MangoJ]

Everyone have their own gods. Sometimes it's a she, and sometimes it's the flow of cards.

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by Friendo

I once thought I understood America. I know people in blue states and red states, and, gosh, I read tons of concerned editorials about the cultural divisions in this country. Plus, I am a long-time fan of watching politicians pander to the biggest idiots - it gives me a laugh or two.
Nothing prepared me for the ploppy: where do these people come from?

I don't even live in the same world as these animals. It never would have occurred to me, even as a child, that the guy next to me doubling his 7 against a 5 should be anything but a subject of clinically detached amusement on my part. The thought that his play could affect my fortunes would never have crossed my mind.

Recently I wonged out of a shoe. The scrap of trailer trash who had been whining about my inconsistent hitting/standing on my 16s jumped from her seat and told everyone, "I'm taking over at first base."

What puts these ideas in people's heads? Everyone else can hit their hard 17s and split their fives as much is humanly possible, and it won't bother me one bit.

It's as if they're a different species.

These are unfortunate people, and they get their satisfaction from having someone to blame their misfortune on. Gambling is an unhealthy form of self-medication for them; now they can go home to their pile of beer cans and scratched-off lottery tickets and unpaid bills and blame it all on that guy who split his 9's last night instead of themselves. I'm convinced that their subconscious goal when they sit down at that table is to label and disparage someone as the cause of all their ills. That's why everything you do is wrong.

It's also why I believe these people are potentially dangerous and trifling with them is not acceptable as amusement. (although I have been guilty of it on occasion.) You don't know how extreme that person's situation is or what his plans for the future are. It could include a bullet in the source of his problem's head, followed by a bullet is his own head. And if his sick mind has made you into the voodoo doll which represents all of his problems, that means your head.

[blackchipjim]

I would have to think the picture brings new meaning to camel toe? That has to be about the size of a real one?

[kewljason]

Originally Posted by Automatic Monkey

It's also why I believe these people are potentially dangerous and trifling with them is not acceptable as amusement. (although I have been guilty of it on occasion.) You don't know how extreme that person's situation is or what his plans for the future are. It could include a bullet in the source of his problem's head, followed by a bullet is his own head. And if his sick mind has made you into the voodoo doll which represents all of his problems, that means your head.

Exactly a point I have tried to make several times, AM. You don't know these people or what their situation is or what they are capable of. Desperate and deranged is a very bad combination. It is bad enough these folks are blaming you for there situation. Don't escalate it by ingaging them. Have your brain by stronger than your pride. It's a simple case of discipline.

[Friendo]

Originally Posted by Automatic Monkey

These are unfortunate people, and they get their satisfaction from having someone to blame their misfortune on. Gambling is an unhealthy form of self-medication for them; now they can go home to their pile of beer cans and scratched-off lottery tickets and unpaid bills and blame it all on that guy who split his 9's last night instead of themselves. I'm convinced that their subconscious goal when they sit down at that table is to label and disparage someone as the cause of all their ills. That's why everything you do is wrong.

It's also why I believe these people are potentially dangerous and trifling with them is not acceptable as amusement. (although I have been guilty of it on occasion.) You don't know how extreme that person's situation is or what his plans for the future are. It could include a bullet in the source of his problem's head, followed by a bullet is his own head. And if his sick mind has made you into the voodoo doll which represents all of his problems, that means your head.

I lurked here for months before joining. I read a significant chuck of the archives before I became a serious counter. The ploppy horror stories were everywhere. I thought they were interesting, but also that counters seemed like a sensitive bunch.

I should not have been annoyed. With respect: I get it now, guys. It ain't just the demi-brained superstition and lower-class "You think you're better 'n' me?" aggression. It's the sheer density of this stuff over many hours of play.

I now understand why advantage players visit here and bj21 so often. This is a lonely pursuit: spouses and significant others don't understand; it's best not to mention it to family and friends; outsiders do not understand that you can still lose thousands in a week; you spend long hours doing something complicated while pretending you're someone you're not; and many of those you're sitting next to are losers with an attitude. The ploppy issue might be a bigger one than the variance. Variance just sucks, but it's mathematics. Ploppies are like variance: variance allows people to deceive themselves, and gives the casinos money from which we take our cut, while ploppies provide the money. Necessary evils, both of them.

I like to pretend I'm a doofus - I act slow and play on the need of dealers and ploppies to feel superior to me - but it's hard to keep that act when the guy next to me flashes a basic strategy card at me and tells me not to split that 7-7 against the dealer 5. I'm not going to read the damned card and point to the big red "S" in row "7-7", column "5", so I have to pretend he's right while splitting them anyway.

[kewljason]

Originally Posted by Friendo

I lurked here for months before joining. I read a significant chuck of the archives before I became a serious counter.

I now understand why advantage players visit here and bj21 so often. This is a lonely pursuit: spouses and significant others don't understand; it's best not to mention it to family and friends; outsiders do not understand that you can still lose thousands in a week; you spend long hours doing something complicated while pretending you're someone you're not; and many of those you're sitting next to are losers with an attitude.

Significant "chuck" of the archives? Is that like up-chuck? You only read the bad parts? I actually would never point out a minor infraction like this as nobody makes more grammar, spelling and just plain mistakes while posting than I do, but just getting even for your recent "fro" sighting. All in good fun.

Anyway, this point about visiting the message boards is a valid one and one that I similarly made to another member in private today. I initially began frequenting these sites to soak up as much knowledge as I could from those more expereinced, seasoned and knowledgable players. And I have learned volumes, and continue to do so, for which I am greatful. But now I continue to frequent the site (probably too often) not only to continue my quest for more knowledge but to share experiences with others and hopefully have them share experiences as well, so I can learn not only from my own experiences but from other. The BJ sites provide a BJ related social outlet that I don't have in my private life. A place where you can just talk about something that happened and the people can relate. My friends can't. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with such participation and I am weighing that as well now. I think ya gotta be careful what you put out there. To quote Mr Bo on a similar matter. "not always bad, but never good".

[Friendo]

Originally Posted by kewljason

Significant "chuck" of the archives? Is that like up-chuck? You only read the bad parts?

Come to think of it, "chuck" works better.

I stand by my unintentional choice of words.

I would also never run from a "fro" in my thread title. I am considering wearing one as part of my act.

[Sucker]

Originally Posted by Tree

The nice thing about Lac Leamy is they don't believe you can count with 8 decks, so they just laugh at such things. They apologized to me for the incident and gave me another buffet coupon.

Lac Leamy (as does ALL of the Quebec casinos) DOES know that 8 decks can be counted - it's just that they're not allowed by Quebec law to bar counters, or even to interfere with card counters in any way. They're not even allowed to interfere with the counter's comps. (They ARE allowed to give 50% pen, however) There are several counters who are regulars at those casinos, are well known to all the chefs, and they openly BRAG about their skills to the chefs, dealers, security; and anyone ELSE who cares to listen.Because of the fact that they're absolved of all responsibility concerning counters, most of the chefs actually treat the counters with a high degree of RESPECT!

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by Friendo

Come to think of it, "chuck" works better.

I stand by my unintentional choice of words.

I would also never run from a "fro" in my thread title. I am considering wearing one as part of my act.

To merge it with another controversial thread, "chuck" is an obscure ethnic slur. It means white people. Thus, it goes well with a 'fro.

[paddywhack]

Originally Posted by Sucker

.. most of the chefs actually treat the counters with a high degree of RESPECT!

The only time I've ever had a chef give me a problem in the casino was when I didn't like his food and he followed me to the floor. But that was only once and I promised never to throw food again.....