Real Newbie - Please be gentle :-)

[NaweG]

I seem to have found this board at an interesting time based on some of the threads I have been reading here. I'm guessing the Google algorithm shift has given y'all a bit more exposure, and that tends to bring out the bad elements as well.

As you may gather from the above, I'm a bit of a tech/geek, and am contemplating taking BJ a bit more seriously than the couple times a year run out to the nearest casino to play a couple hours. I have been spending time with the Strategy Trainer and the Blackjack School on here, which is helping me get to be a more thoughtful player.

However, my main questions deal around "the environmental issues". IOW, as someone who isn't all that much of a people person I'm nervous that if I play seriously that I am going to get a lot of attention, and before I know it I won't have anywhere to play. In fact I've been thinking seriously of finding a location, playing alternate days between 3-5 different casinos, and then moving on after a month or so. Am I being paranoid or cautious?

Thanks in advance for your time and sharing your experience.

 

[Sucker]

Am I being paranoid or cautious?

Both. But that is a good thing. :grin:

 

[kewljason]

I'm guessing the Google algorithm shift has given y'all a bit more exposure,

However, my main questions deal around "the environmental issues". IOW, as someone who isn't all that much of a people person I'm nervous that if I play seriously that I am going to get a lot of attention, and before I know it I won't have anywhere to play. In fact I've been thinking seriously of finding a location, playing alternate days between 3-5 different casinos, and then moving on after a month or so. Am I being paranoid or cautious?

Thanks in advance for your time and sharing your experience.

New google algorithm shift. :laugh: That's a new one.

At any rate welcome.

Don't worry about the people person thing. I am not a people person either. I am a loner, both in life and especially regarding my blackjack play. Many Blackjack players share this trait, but some are better at disguising it and trying to blend in. I am not and don't even try much.

 

[blackchipjim]

Techno Geek

You better relax and you better toughen up or the ploppies will eat your lunch. Pissed off is a mild term if you sit at a table making index plays when others are worried about the flow of cards. Stand in front of a mirror and yell at yourself and curse and go crazy call yourself names, insult your birthright. By and by you will a develop a callous mindset and not give a crap what people say or think then my friend you have entered into phase one. Welcome!

 

[FLASH1296]

"New google algorithm shift"

R.O.T.F.L.M.A.O.

W. T. F. ?

 

[blackchipjim]

Math shift?

What's so unusual about a shift of math? The earth shifted 10inches off the axis and look what happend. Deluge of rains in the midwest, Texas is gonna spontaineous combust all because of a ten inch shift. How big was the algorithm shift anyways?

 

[tthree]

Im just amused by the ploppies. Especially if they dont even know basic strategy. You described yourself as a loner that doesnt fit in easily in social situations. Sorry if my trying to repeat what you said fell far from the mark. I assume you care more about what you think of yourself than what others think of you. Most who describe themselves the way you did are that way. You know you are doing the right things with your play so what do you care about what people who are wrong think or say.

In life you dont do the wrong thing to gain approval from friends. Why do it at the table to gain the approval of strangers. You are better of pissing the ploppies off so bad they leave the table. Fewer hands that arent yours means more profit anyway unless the count is bad. If thats the case you should weigh the benefits of leaving for another table. Just say you cannt take the negative attitude it always brings negative outcomes for the players. The sacred flow of karma. An obnoxious ploppy can be used for cover in many ways.

 

[NaweG]

Appreciate the suggestions and insights.

As for the "Google Algorithm Shift", that refers to a change that Google made to how they rank search results a few weeks ago to try and eliminate (or at least reduce) spam farms and other sites that were designed purely to drive traffic to pages that had a lot of keywords, but no real content. So for "hot" topics (of which BJ and Poker are often highly ranked), the first page of Google results for a search used to be about 2-3 "real" results buried in a number of sites that were cross linked just to get people to see ads.

With the shift, the first page of most (though not all topics) will now have mainly "real" pages where there is at least some discussion of the topic at hand, and gives weight to forums and educational sites a bit more than it used to.

Of course if you were someone who made their living from Internet Marketing/SEO, then you might feel the change was the equivalent of seeing your favorite casino go to all 6:5 tables

 

[FLASH1296]

I sincerely apologize for laughing.

I do appreciate being informed.

I had no idea that that had happened.

Thanx muchly.

 

[tthree]

Nis google responsible for the mew poster explosion?

Do you think the new google algorithm is the cause of the spike in new posters that has the veterans of the site scratching their heads wondering about what the deal is with the new poster explosion?

 

[Canceler]

Not that sociable myself...

Dealer makes funny comment. I laugh. Dealer laughs. Everyone else at the table is stone-faced, apparently thinking the dealer and I have just escaped from the loony bin.

...as someone who isn't all that much of a people person I'm nervous that if I play seriously that I am going to get a lot of attention

Don’t worry, you’ll fit right in.

 

[Coyote]

Do you think the new google algorithm is the cause of the spike in new posters that has the veterans of the site scratching their heads wondering about what the deal is with the new poster explosion?

I doubt it because a lot of the new posters have a common MO. They have been reading the threads looking into card counting, see how much fun we are having, and then join in. That was my story.

 

[zengrifter]

I'm guessing the Google algorithm shift has given y'all a bit more exposure, and that tends to bring out the bad elements as well.

I had predicted in my blog that the content-farm algo-shift would hurt alternative news sites,
but it actually helped them >>
Will New Google Algorithm Punish ‘Alternative News?

 

[21gunsalute]

As for the "Google Algorithm Shift", that refers to a change that Google made to how they rank search results a few weeks ago to try and eliminate (or at least reduce) spam farms and other sites that were designed purely to drive traffic to pages that had a lot of keywords, but no real content. So for "hot" topics (of which BJ and Poker are often highly ranked), the first page of Google results for a search used to be about 2-3 "real" results buried in a number of sites that were cross linked just to get people to see ads.

You mean it's not the latest dance craze?

 

[irobinson]

You mean it's not the latest dance craze?

Yes. The binary two-step.

 

[Shoofly]

However, my main questions deal around "the environmental issues". IOW, as someone who isn't all that much of a people person I'm nervous that if I play seriously that I am going to get a lot of attention, and before I know it I won't have anywhere to play.

Don't worry about it. The bigmouths get most of the attention, but there are many people who like to just sit quietly and play. I sat at a table yesterday with two other players, and barely a word was spoken for two hours, except for the occasional players who came and went quickly. Probably too quiet for them. I loved it, except that I got my butt kicked in the game. Oh well, you can't have everything.

The best response when people start making comments is to ignore them. Most times they won't be talking directly to you, just making general comments like "Oh man, he just hit an 18." Pretend they are talking about somebody else.

 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Appreciate the suggestions and insights.

As for the "Google Algorithm Shift", that refers to a change that Google made to how they rank search results a few weeks ago to try and eliminate (or at least reduce) spam farms and other sites that were designed purely to drive traffic to pages that had a lot of keywords, but no real content. So for "hot" topics (of which BJ and Poker are often highly ranked), the first page of Google results for a search used to be about 2-3 "real" results buried in a number of sites that were cross linked just to get people to see ads.

With the shift, the first page of most (though not all topics) will now have mainly "real" pages where there is at least some discussion of the topic at hand, and gives weight to forums and educational sites a bit more than it used to.

Of course if you were someone who made their living from Internet Marketing/SEO, then you might feel the change was the equivalent of seeing your favorite casino go to all 6:5 tables

Panda was like getting even money or less. A 50% drop in traffic and earnings for some sites or more while some sites gained traffic. Have you recovered from Panda ? Welcome to the site. There is some real great information that can be accessed from the search on this site if you are searching for a topic. There are some good people here and some with inflated egos's as you already have seen. All in all a great site once you get over the ego's.

 

[Coyote]

If you do find that you want to get serious about AP, then there is a ton of information about camo and cover on this forum. Just conduct a search of the forum for the topics. A healthy fear will keep your edge sharp.

Best of variance to you!

Coyote

 

[LovinItAll]

I seem to have found this board at an interesting time based on some of the threads I have been reading here. I'm guessing the Google algorithm shift has given y'all a bit more exposure, and that tends to bring out the bad elements as well.

As you may gather from the above, I'm a bit of a tech/geek, and am contemplating taking BJ a bit more seriously than the couple times a year run out to the nearest casino to play a couple hours. I have been spending time with the Strategy Trainer and the Blackjack School on here, which is helping me get to be a more thoughtful player.

However, my main questions deal around "the environmental issues". IOW, as someone who isn't all that much of a people person I'm nervous that if I play seriously that I am going to get a lot of attention, and before I know it I won't have anywhere to play. In fact I've been thinking seriously of finding a location, playing alternate days between 3-5 different casinos, and then moving on after a month or so. Am I being paranoid or cautious?

Thanks in advance for your time and sharing your experience.

As a new-ish member here, I hope I'm not out of line welcoming you, so welcome!

Not sure where you live, but your plan involving rotating between casinos is fine. Remember that in some areas -Vegas, for instance - a few corporations control a bunch of the casinos. Your level of play (I think) will determine how much rotating you need to do. When I first arrived here, I played at the same group of casinos for several months without issue. I do spread it around a bit more now, but even though I play 5-6 days/week. the level I play (small-ish green) doesn't really draw that much unwanted attention. I won't go into ratholing, cover, or any of that stuff here, as I'm sure you've thought about some of the issues you'll face.

As far as dealing with the ploppies, I'm always polite, nice, quick to smile, and I can usually deflect any criticism without being ugly (and sometimes I can make people laugh with "silly" plays). IMHO, playing 3rd base helps, too.

Training at home is fine, but go ahead and test your skills in the casino. If you don't have BS down perfectly, bring a little cheat card similar to what the gift shops sell. Better to make your own, though, as their's often have errors due to different game conditions, on purpose - whatever. Breaking out one of those cards certainly helps make you look like a player that is trying to 'figure it out', but still reeks of a certain amount of ploppiness (especially with a small touch of acting). Can't have a cheat for the indces, but that's okay. I think if you relax and act like you have a little "gamble" in you, you'll be fine. Hopefully you're in an area that has a few options. LV has been a great experience for me....I love it here!

Oh, if you start playing in the high limit rooms, I think it's much easier there to socialize and not catch as much flak for plays that some people may consider marginal. That's been my experience, but YMMV. As with lots of things, attitude goes a long way.

Best of luck! ~ LIA

 

[tthree]

I used a cheat for the indices once. It was a code using a scattering of pen dots like I nervously tapped my pen on the paper which I had made up as my strategy card. The code was disguised by hundreds of meaningless dots. The ones that mattered used a clocks configuration to indicate the correct index by one dot in the appropriate box. A PB inspected it once and had no problem with it. I stopped using it after that because I felt there might be a PB sharp enough to see the code. Never underestimate your opponent.