I talked to two people about him. He has done this type of thing for years and loves to be taken to court. If you go after him, he will use a dozen aliases to post stories that you are a pedophile. Best to just file legal complaints to the publishing and blogging sites he uses. There are some strange people on the 'Net.
MIT Blackjack Team Operation Manual!!!
- Thread starter MJ1
- Start date
A few clarifications about "MIT BJ Team Op. Manual"
This does appear to include excerpts from our player manual and, as such, does constitute copyrighted material that was provided to players on a confidential basis. Whoever posted this on the web did so in violation of the confidentiality agreements executed by all players.
With regard to postings about expenses, players incurred almost no expenses while playing, as the General Partner raised $1MM to bankroll this venture and all player expenses, hotels, travel, meals, etc. were comped. In addition to receiving pay based on their hours played and skill level as well as a percentage of profits, players were also treated to many perks and freebies above and beyond basic "room, food, and beverage."
Furthermore, the team had minimal overhead other than the substantial guaranteed pay to players for casino play and regular administrative and accounting time. Of course, from an investor's perspective, the pay to players came off of the top as an expense of the partnership and thus the team had to generate profits in excess of this amount for there to be a return to investors. It is also important to note that for the Strategic Investments Limited Partnership in the early/mid 90's that a substantial portion of the investment came from the players on the team, including the General Partners who risked their capital on the same terms as the other players as well as outside investors.
From its beginnings in 1980 and over the course of 10+ years of play, the MIT BJ Team trained over 150 players, ran over 20 profitable "ventures", paid players an average of $100/hour, and generated average annual returns to investors of ~100%/year.
This does appear to include excerpts from our player manual and, as such, does constitute copyrighted material that was provided to players on a confidential basis. Whoever posted this on the web did so in violation of the confidentiality agreements executed by all players.
With regard to postings about expenses, players incurred almost no expenses while playing, as the General Partner raised $1MM to bankroll this venture and all player expenses, hotels, travel, meals, etc. were comped. In addition to receiving pay based on their hours played and skill level as well as a percentage of profits, players were also treated to many perks and freebies above and beyond basic "room, food, and beverage."
Furthermore, the team had minimal overhead other than the substantial guaranteed pay to players for casino play and regular administrative and accounting time. Of course, from an investor's perspective, the pay to players came off of the top as an expense of the partnership and thus the team had to generate profits in excess of this amount for there to be a return to investors. It is also important to note that for the Strategic Investments Limited Partnership in the early/mid 90's that a substantial portion of the investment came from the players on the team, including the General Partners who risked their capital on the same terms as the other players as well as outside investors.
From its beginnings in 1980 and over the course of 10+ years of play, the MIT BJ Team trained over 150 players, ran over 20 profitable "ventures", paid players an average of $100/hour, and generated average annual returns to investors of ~100%/year.
Thanks for joining us Lady Luck! I appreciate your post. Please note a player did not post this. A casino detective agency acquired the SI playing manual back in 92-93.
In the prospectus it states that a player can earn between $50 to $500 an hour. What type of game could afford such a high edge so as to warrant paying $500 in CE to a player per hour? That salary is astronomical! If players are paid 20% in CE for their play, then I reckon any player earning this type of salary was playing some sort of advanced game. I think Semyon was compensated at this rate. Then again, he lead the team in EV from what I understand.
Speaking of the advanced games, there is a lot of differing opinions amongst the MIT players with regard to the efficacy of employing +/- NRS, card steering, and ace tracking. In your assessment, did these games yield a statistically significant advantage for the MIT Team? Some former members say these games were quite profitable, while others say money was pissed away in those games. Your thoughts please?
One thing about your post that strikes me as odd is that you said "player expenses, hotels, travel, meals, etc. were comped". Why would a spotter flat betting $15-25 a hand receive such a high level of comps? I hardly think this type of betting level justifies the comps you mentioned. As for the BPs on the team, obviously they would receive the high roller treatment and are a whole another story. Perhaps the BPs were sharing their comps with the rest of the team?
MJ
In the prospectus it states that a player can earn between $50 to $500 an hour. What type of game could afford such a high edge so as to warrant paying $500 in CE to a player per hour? That salary is astronomical! If players are paid 20% in CE for their play, then I reckon any player earning this type of salary was playing some sort of advanced game. I think Semyon was compensated at this rate. Then again, he lead the team in EV from what I understand.
Speaking of the advanced games, there is a lot of differing opinions amongst the MIT players with regard to the efficacy of employing +/- NRS, card steering, and ace tracking. In your assessment, did these games yield a statistically significant advantage for the MIT Team? Some former members say these games were quite profitable, while others say money was pissed away in those games. Your thoughts please?
One thing about your post that strikes me as odd is that you said "player expenses, hotels, travel, meals, etc. were comped". Why would a spotter flat betting $15-25 a hand receive such a high level of comps? I hardly think this type of betting level justifies the comps you mentioned. As for the BPs on the team, obviously they would receive the high roller treatment and are a whole another story. Perhaps the BPs were sharing their comps with the rest of the team?
MJ
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I could hazard a guess at who the poster might be and if right they probably know more about this topic than all but a few others.
But if your skeptical - ask her some questions. It usually doesn't take all that long to split the people who pretend they know everything and those that actually do know what they're talking about.
RJT.
But if your skeptical - ask her some questions. It usually doesn't take all that long to split the people who pretend they know everything and those that actually do know what they're talking about.
RJT.
guess at who the poster might be??
See thats precisely what I'm talking about. And now you want me to interogate her (or him) as if they are on trial??
I am not trying to be difficult here, but as shad suggusted, anyone can claim to be anyone on the internet. Usually we have the opportunity to read a number of posts by someone, or an established poster vouches for someone to establish some credibility. We have had neither in this case, just someone posting for the first time claiming to be a former mit team member.
See thats precisely what I'm talking about. And now you want me to interogate her (or him) as if they are on trial??
I am not trying to be difficult here, but as shad suggusted, anyone can claim to be anyone on the internet. Usually we have the opportunity to read a number of posts by someone, or an established poster vouches for someone to establish some credibility. We have had neither in this case, just someone posting for the first time claiming to be a former mit team member.
Honestly - distinguishing between a poster who can walk the walk and those who just talk it really isn't that difficult. I'm not vouching for anyone, and the poster may not be who she suggests, but you don't need to be the Spanish Inquesition to work it out.
Oh and you are trying to be difficult. I at no point suggested interrogation, only being smart enough to ask a few questions.
It really matters little anyway as i suspect this will be a one off visit.
RJT.
Oh and you are trying to be difficult. I at no point suggested interrogation, only being smart enough to ask a few questions.
It really matters little anyway as i suspect this will be a one off visit.
RJT.
Tough luck - do you think it really matters a monkeys toss to the poster if they validate themselves to you? And it matters little anyway, no matter what was said there are certain people here who would never believe it. Long live the myth that there ever was a group from MIT that played blackjack successfully.
RJT.
RJT.
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This isn't far off. I designed the table formats at a "gentleman's club" and wrote them on scraps of paper. And there are details that I didn't include in the parables chapter to keep the book reasonably "polite."
And incidentally, I do hold a co-patent based on a discussion and scribbling on napkins at a NY restaurant.
And incidentally, I do hold a co-patent based on a discussion and scribbling on napkins at a NY restaurant.
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