Card Counting Non-Profit

[doppel1863]

Hello All,

I apologize in advance if this is the wrong spot to put this thread. I am new here so I am unfamiliar with the etiquette.

Anyways, I am a small time gambler(visit AC here and there), but during my last visit I was struck with a bolt of lightening. I had the idea to create a semi-covert non-profit organization that would strictly deal with profits made from card counting and donate them to charity. I know that sounds ludicrous at first, but please hear me out...

There is a ton of money floating in and out of casinos and for those who pull in a few thousand/hundred a week counting cards, why not give alittle bit to charity? I am not saying give the majority of their winnings to charity but just alittle...Life is all about checks and balances, wouldn't you agree? I mean hell, don't get me wrong, I like toys, I like my 350z convertible and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, but I would just be fine pulling in 5k instead of 6k a week( I don't make that much btw)...Also, who doesn't like to stick it to the man and also help those out in need at the same time...? Like I said, this would have to be covert and the organization would have to recruit from within for security reasons, but I thought I would run the idea by people who actually are playing and making money counting cards...Think of it as like the Knights Templar, but for charity...how cool would that be?

At this point, if you haven't written me off as being a complete idiot or some type of scammer, then I would like to hear your thoughts...Has anyone thought of this concept before on the forums? I spoke to Meistro briefly and he mentioned that donating to charity has crossed his mind before...
Has anyone else actually donated winnings counting cards to charity?

 

[shadroch]

I donate every other winning session. I started it last year after hearing The Boss talking about how Harry Chapin used to play one concert for himself, and one for charity.
I'm strictly a low roller so it's not like it adds up to a ton of money.

 

[kewljason]

see the thread entitled bankroll use.

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=16902

 

[sagefr0g]

also this link:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=16726

 

[kewljason]

also this link:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=16726

While this story is indeed an act of generosity, there has always been something that just doesn't sit right about it. I guess it's the element of publicity. While all accounts I read, state that they can't give a name because "this robinhood" wished to remain anonyamus, I wonder how the media would even know about the story then? There are only 2 parties involved. So either the giver or the recipient leaked this story. If it wasn't the giver and he really wanted to remain anonyamus, he could have stipulated such to the recipient. So it certainly seems that why robinhood claims he wishes to remain anonymus that he is enjoying the publicity, which is fine. It is still a nice act. Just dont tell me the sky is green, when I am looking at it and can clearly see it is purple.

 

[SleightOfHand]

While this story is indeed an act of generosity, there has always been something that just doesn't sit right about it. I guess it's the element of publicity. While all accounts I read, state that they can't give a name because "this robinhood" wished to remain anonyamus, I wonder how the media would even know about the story then? There are only 2 parties involved. So either the giver or the recipient leaked this story. If it wasn't the giver and he really wanted to remain anonyamus, he could have stipulated such to the recipient. So it certainly seems that why robinhood claims he wishes to remain anonymus that he is enjoying the publicity, which is fine. It is still a nice act. Just dont tell me the sky is green, when I am looking at it and can clearly see it is purple.

Psychological Egoism

 

[Leaveawinner]

Small wins add up. Try not spending it between wins.

Charity begins at home. Why not pay mom for changing 18 years of diapers? Or in my case 45? Take her grocery shopping. How about a matching fridge to go with the new range you bought her last summer?

I tip the dealers and the cashier when I buy a soda or basic strategy card. I am already charitable in my daily life. It's not like I've saving the planet, just making someone's day. It makes me happy.

After the old crackhead was run down by a car, I stopped helping street beggars. Specifically those who play in traffic. Gotta get them out of the street.

How would you go about claiming the gift as a tax deduction?

 

[Josh Axelrad]

While this story is indeed an act of generosity, there has always been something that just doesn't sit right about it. I guess it's the element of publicity.

Big time. This doesn't stink, exactly -- he really does seem to give money away -- but neither does it add up. His new partner Dr. Schulze is blatantly interested in self-promotion. RobinHood himself is hard to figger. What gives? Why alert the media? Why all this noise about how hard it is to find a "host" casino? Why not just walk into any casino sans an entourage of journalists, gamble as you'd like, and do what you wish with your variance? Why make an event out of it?

My fantasy is he's a counter/philanthropist who wants to give money away while also putting his host casino in a tricky position. They can't exactly bar him while he's stuck if a huge chunk of winnings go to charity and journalists are watching, right? Unlikely but I wish this were his gimmick.

 

[doppel1863]

Thanks for the responses guys. That story about robinhood is interesting.

I am just trying to think of ways that the discrepancy between the rich and the poor can be lessened. I am in no way a commie, but there is just so so much wealth in the usa and I don't see any reason why there needs be a huge discrepancy.

As for giving back to our Moms as charity, well that is just silly. Charity begins outside of the home and real charity is helping those who live close to "absolute" poverty and not "relative" poverty. Google the concept of "poverty threshold" to get a better picture on those who are truly getting the shaft. Those are the kind of people that need help. My reasoning is that I did not do anything, personally, to gain the life I did. The fact that most of us gamble and have computers and are able to post on a forum like this shows that we are privileged. What did we do to earn this privilege? Probably, nothing. We were most likely born into a lifestyle that we are now sustaining. So what about the people who can't afford food on a daily basis? What about people who dont have clean drinking water? What did they do to earn that lifestyle? Probably, nothing. Therefore, why not hook them up a little bit?

Thoughts?

 

[tripsix]

If you don't want it to be a scam

Hello All,

Like I said, this would have to be covert and the organization would have to recruit from within for security reasons, but I thought I would run the idea by people who actually are playing and making money counting cards...Think of it as like the Knights Templar, but for charity...how cool would that be?

Anyone in the organization would have to donate anonymously and without any receipt.
Perhaps the organization would only accept donations from AP's but not list donors publicly. Private donations would be eligible for the proper receipts for the IRS.
All donors would have to report their winnings as part of their AGI to the IRS.
All proceeds of the organization would have to be 100% transparent for it to exist without blemishes.

I think it's a great idea provided all of the above is followed. I'm not even sure if my first premise would be legal. Love the idea, If your not going to go forward with it, let me know.:angel:

 

[Opinion]

Unbridled Materialism and No Religion Too

I am just trying to think of ways that the discrepancy between the rich and the poor can be lessened. I am in no way a commie, but there is just so so much wealth in the usa and I don't see any reason why there needs be a huge discrepancy. Thoughts?

Pairs Hilton is celebrated because of her expensive parties and jewelry. Any red carpet show all they talk about is the expensive jewelry and clothes. All of this advertising and grandizing wealth causes us all to covet wealth.

I think hiding donations and charity is wrong thinking. If we knew what public figure was generous or not it would help us with our appreciation of them. Also, if it was known that many people were generous then others would probably join in.

If no fear of judgement because of greed (either here or afterlife) then why not be greedy?

The cost of one of those overly expensive purses can pay the housing costs of a poor family in the USA for a month or immunize and feed the children of an entire village in the third world.

Unbridled materialism is major problem.

 

[daddybo]

Unbridled materialism is major problem.

A.K.A. Conspicuous Consumption.

 

[doppel1863]

You bring up many good points Opinion.

I think hiding donations and charity is wrong thinking. If we knew what public figure was generous or not it would help us with our appreciation of them. Also, if it was known that many people were generous then others would probably join in.

If no fear of judgement because of greed (either here or afterlife) then why not be greedy?

The organization wouldn't necessarily be anonymous, but the people donating funds to the organization would be. How many card counters would like their names and faces plastered over the news? Not too many I would think. But if the front of the organization is run by non-players then it wouldn't matter where the money is coming from. Now that I think of it.... maybe this organization should be run on the back end like "Fight Club"....minus the fighting of course....

The question of "why not be greedy?" can be turned around just the same and ask "why be greedy?" The problem here is that we get into circular questioning and that doesn't solve anything. I do believe however that humans have the keen ability to undertake unselfish altruism. Take a look at this article: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/902.aspx ... it speaks of "survival of the nicest" instead of "survival of the fittest"(aka greed).

Thoughts!