retirement announcement

kewljason

Well-Known Member
Announcing my retirement. Not from blackjack play. From the message boards. (yet again....:laugh:) But not because of frustration over personal attacks or any incident on the site. I have encountered several recent events which were a direct result of reckless postings. One was a pit guy commenting on something I said in a post. I was playing unrated at the time. It didn't result in a backoff or barring, as I left rather quickly. Perhaps that was the intent or perhaps just some sort of warning. At any event, I intend to learn from it.

The second event while not career threatening, was even more disturbing. I was approached as I walked home about the possibility of writing a book. Something I have no interest in, as I feel that would accelerate the end of my playing days, with little benefit. Beside, who other than maybe a few players here would have interest in such a story and those few people have already read my story in bits and pieces as I have already shared nearly all aspects of my career and life. I just haven't gotten paid for it. :sad: I also have been approached in the casino two separate times about the possibility of team play. These events follow on the heals of an incident outside of the casino environment, where I was told I would no longer be able to play at a certain casino. While this disturbing incident probably was not related to the message board sites, one can't be sure.

What I am sure of is that I have somehow lost my way, my purpose for visiting these sites. It has gone from a learning tool to somehow filling a social void in my life that allowed me to talk blackjack with like minded, fine and smart people. In a way it has become sort of an addiction that I spend entirely too much time on. Serves no positive benefit to my career. And now is threatening to shorten that career. While there are many players that have been barred at every casino and are so recognized they are unable to ply their trade, I could be the first person that does so to himself. So I need to back off.

I am grateful to the many members who have contributed to my blackjack education and a handful of very knowledgeable, successful members in particular who have shared their knowledge. I am not going to name names. Anyone who visits regularly knows who these folks are. We should all consider ourselves extremely lucky to have some of these guys participate. Most do sparingly, and that is yet another lesson I am taking from them. :) And a huge thank you to Ken and the mods, for their efforts on this fine site. Efforts that are soo under appreciated. I can't imagine that I would have had anywhere close to the limited success that I have enjoyed in my career, had I not stumbled upon this site.

I will still read the boards regularly and participate in some chat sessions that I feel I can benefit from, in a continuing effort to learn and improve my knowledge and skills, but my posts will be far and few between and generic in nature offering little details of experiences. I also hope to continue the private dialogs that I have with some members and the very few members that I have met in person and have a handful that I hope to meet in the future.

I offer this post not as some of grand and glorious exit, but more in the hopes that some of you, especially the successful younger guys that I have become so fond of, won't make the same mistakes of over exposing yourself. My best to all.
 

Friendo

Well-Known Member
I owe you

I'm not an experienced player - I'll claim my Intermediate Counter badge at 1200 hours - so there's a lot you have said and seen that I am not fit to comment on. But there were a couple of incidents you posted on that made me wince and think "please think twice and delete this ASAP!" (I'm somewhat older, so I have the benefit of 15-20 more years to make and learn from mistakes than you have.)

That said, you have been more forthcoming and eloquent about aspects of the game that helped me a lot - I always read your posts in the archives here and on Green Chip.

For some reason I am certain that I would recognize you if I saw you at the tables. I probably wouldn't, but this should tell you something about how much you reveal about yourself here.

Thanks for your contributions. Because I was blessed at several points in my youth with really good advice from other professionals, I take very seriously the duty to help others who are willing to open their ears, as a sort of carmic repayment of the gifts given by my own teachers. You have done far more than your basic duty to pay it forward in the blackjack world.
 

Gamblor

Well-Known Member
Friendo said:
I'm not an experienced player - I'll claim my Intermediate Counter badge at 1200 hours - so there's a lot you have said and seen that I am not fit to comment on. But there were a couple of incidents you posted on that made me wince and think "please think twice and delete this ASAP!" (I'm somewhat older, so I have the benefit of 15-20 more years to make and learn from mistakes than you have.)

That said, you have been more forthcoming and eloquent about aspects of the game that helped me a lot - I always read your posts in the archives here and on Green Chip.

For some reason I am certain that I would recognize you if I saw you at the tables. I probably wouldn't, but this should tell you something about how much you reveal about yourself here.

Thanks for your contributions. Because I was blessed at several points in my youth with really good advice from other professionals, I take very seriously the duty to help others who are willing to open their ears, as a sort of carmic repayment of the gifts given by my own teachers. You have done far more than your basic duty to pay it forward in the blackjack world.
Friendo you summed it up nicely.

Actually there's quite a few members on here I can almost picture.

Having said that, don't think we should lose any sleep about some possible surveillance or casino member who scours this board to pick up on clues on who is who. Heck I wouldn't want to come across such a dedicated person anyway. Like poker, sometimes you just got to acknowledge when your up against someone good, and its at best pointless to to go against such a person. No need to let ego get in the way or even care too much.
 

21forme

Well-Known Member
Yeah, yeah. We've heard it before KJ :grin:

You are doing the right thing, if you can abide by your decision (which I doubt). As I've said before, there are people who say too much on these boards, and I've ID'd two of them at the tables in the last few years, just from info provided in their posts. And here's a warning for another forum member - I expect you to be #3 in the not too distant future. :eek:
 

1357111317

Well-Known Member
Well if you do retire from posting on these boards KJ, just check your PM's every so often. We wouldnt want to lose you for good.
 

ohbehave

Well-Known Member
As much as I, and I'm sure many, on the forum enjoy reading of your exploits it is wise you've come to this decision. Firstly, especially being in Vegas you have to think of your safety. Secondly, your BJ career. Both are in jeopardy by exposing so much of yourself on this board. I do hope you will find a way to contribute that doesn't put yourself in danger.
 

Sucker

Well-Known Member
kewljason said:
What I am sure of is that I have somehow lost my way, my purpose for visiting these sites. It has gone from a learning tool to somehow filling a social void in my life that allowed me to talk blackjack with like minded, fine and smart people.
It was starting to become noticeable. Lately, you have been telling us things that were really none of our business, and were otherwise of little or no use to us.
 

MasterofNone

Well-Known Member
Thank you KJ for all the assistance you have dispensed to enthusiasts like myself. I hope you will continue to log in occasionally or accept the intermittent PM. I am sory for your recent string of bad variance. We all go through it. You will survive and be stronger for it.

Not just words. Voice of having been there.

Next time i am in LV i at least owe you beer for all of your time and efforts on my behalf in my blackjack personna.

Regards, MoN
 
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prankster

Well-Known Member
Kewl-
I want to thank you for your posts that were always entertaining and informative. You have always been most willing to share your know-how with the rest of us. Best of luck to you my friend and keep in touch!:joker:
 
Kj

I warned you about this along time ago, your snippets of info when put together would make it easy to identify you.

Now, it would have been better for you to say nothing about your plans as I fear you have just provided more info to be used to place the laser on you.

I find this entire situation you describe Bizarre, people stopping you in the street,,in bars,,,,,saying things so you can overhear,, that quote you from this site,,writting a book,,,,I admit to having suspicions about that some time ago,,,is that something you are considering??

Well, take care,,it is a rough and dangerous world out there.

If you ever feel the need don't hesitate to PM me.

My Best,
CP
 
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shadroch

Well-Known Member
You still owe me a beer. Hopefully we can settle up next week. wouldn't want people thinking you left a welcher, would you?
 

Gamblor

Well-Known Member
creeping panther said:
I find this entire situation you describe Bizarre, people stopping you in the street,,in bars,,,,,saying things so you can overhear,, that quote you from this site,,writting a book,,,,I admit to having suspicions about that some time ago,,,is that something you are considering??
Also keep in mind, we live in a paranoid business. Its easy to get a little too paranoid and see "threats" that are not really there.

Also, this nonsense about keeping safe, forget that. This ain't the 1970's, the casinos aren't going to break your hand with a hammer - unless you play in some out of the way places. A more real concern is other "patrons", but that's a concern anyone who wins big should have.
 
Gamblor

Gamblor said:
Also keep in mind, we live in a paranoid business. Its easy to get a little too paranoid and see "threats" that are not really there.

Also, this nonsense about keeping safe, forget that. This ain't the 1970's, the casinos aren't going to break your hand with a hammer - unless you play in some out of the way places. A more real concern is other "patrons", but that's a concern anyone who wins big should have.
I do believe they are capable of breaking a hand, rib, jaw, etc. and recent experiences bear that out.

Also taking away ones freedom, wrongfull incarceration, harrasment and threats, all for just using ones mind and breaking no law can leave emotional scars that are very real.

Why anyone would want to do this for a living, when they may have other choices and opportunities, is way beyond me.:confused:

CP
 
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