The love of the game!

[blackchipjim]

I have seen alot of threads posted on this website but few if any relate to the love of the game and the things that go with it. We hear theories and complaints and all the things that go with the enviroment of playing blackjack.
I would like to at this time say that I love playing the game and the people I play along side at the tables. Being able to play with an advantage and know the real state of the deck in regards to advantage is exciting.
I have met alot of people from many walks of life that come to the table to play this game we call blackjack.The young and old, rich and some not so well off along with all the different levels of playing ability is something that is really entertainment you find no where else.
I cannot find another form of entertainment that provides a happy blend of knowledge and ability coupled with amusement to reach a goal. blackchipjim

 

[johndoe]

I'm with you. BJ is a nice, slightly profitable hobby that I genuinely enjoy.

The other perspective I have - it's so much fun that people are willing to PAY TONS OF MONEY to just play for hours and hours. Now, if I can instead have that same level of pleasure (and excitement), while being paid for the privilege? Sign me up!

 

[cc218]

All excellent points. Games like blackjack and craps are what gives a casino some energy. The slots only places never have the excitement of a group of players(and sometimes just standing a few deep watching) jumping in happiness and moaning in disgust. These games are one of the few things that I do where i am just as content to sit and watch as i am to play. Hi stakes or low stakes, it is an excellent mental release from my day job.

 

[kewljason]

That's a great post BJJim. I too immensely enjoy playing blackjack. As soon as the plane crosses the Mississippi, I find myself looking for the bright lights of Vegas. When I finally see them, I wouldn't want to guess what my heart rate is. And this after nearly 20 trips in the past 6 years. Atlantic City is no different. Dispite going to AC every week, I still get excited when the train leaves the Absecon station heading across the marshy swamp towards the bright lights.

I will differ with you in that I don't always enjoy the other people at my table. I try to, but like everything else in life, sometimes you encounter people who are hellbend on being miserable and nasty. You are definately correct about "free entertainment" though. Sometimes I just sit on the boardwalk or on the strip in vegas and watch the people go by. Absolutely priceless!!

But the greatest joy is playing the game well. Whether you are winning or losing at the moment, you know that you have turned the tables on these giant corporations, who's sole purpose is to relieve people of there funds, and are playing with an advantage.

 

[imp]

I have seen alot of threads posted on this website but few if any relate to the love of the game and the things that go with it. We hear theories and complaints and all the things that go with the enviroment of playing blackjack.
I would like to at this time say that I love playing the game and the people I play along side at the tables. Being able to play with an advantage and know the real state of the deck in regards to advantage is exciting.
I have met alot of people from many walks of life that come to the table to play this game we call blackjack.The young and old, rich and some not so well off along with all the different levels of playing ability is something that is really entertainment you find no where else.
I cannot find another form of entertainment that provides a happy blend of knowledge and ability coupled with amusement to reach a goal. blackchipjim

Well said! The complainers only receive the "squeaky wheel's grease", but rarely promote continuing interest. imp

 

[creeping panther]

Jim

I have seen alot of threads posted on this website but few if any relate to the love of the game and the things that go with it. We hear theories and complaints and all the things that go with the enviroment of playing blackjack.
I would like to at this time say that I love playing the game and the people I play along side at the tables. Being able to play with an advantage and know the real state of the deck in regards to advantage is exciting.
I have met alot of people from many walks of life that come to the table to play this game we call blackjack.The young and old, rich and some not so well off along with all the different levels of playing ability is something that is really entertainment you find no where else.
I cannot find another form of entertainment that provides a happy blend of knowledge and ability coupled with amusement to reach a goal. blackchipjim

How true....the color and personalitys...the change in demeanor at the table for so many, especially women, an amazing experience.

And then there are those very ugly and sad moments too.

CP

 

[Automatic Monkey]

I don't know. I used to dread going to the casino to make my money- the smoke, the stupidity, the long hours and boring execution. I'm still just an engineer inside, and the environment in the casino is about as enjoyable as having an accident in the lab and injuring myself.

But recently I've been adapting to it a little better, discovering fun and enjoyable things I can mix into it. Taking more advantage of comps helps, as does finding better restaurants and bars. The alcohol is a big plus.

Here's a different way of looking at it- if you had an unlimited amount of money, would you still play? I'd find something more rewarding to do, like maybe work on my game and hit the bridge scene. Bridge is a real card game. Funny thing about bridge, it has a reputation for being a highbrow, erudite game, but when rubber bridge was played for money they were some of the dirtiest, sleaziest cheats going.

 

[21forme]

Here's a different way of looking at it- if you had an unlimited amount of money, would you still play?

Yes, at least for now. We all go through phases of various hobbies and interests. Personally, I like playing the game. Part of it is the cat and mouse game with the house. Part of it is knowing I'm playing with an advantage (despite losing at any given moment). It's entertaining, as are most of the ploppies and their comments. Don't you get a kick out of some of the priceless comments you hear like "the book says..." and "never split any card that starts with an F" (four, five and face), etc. BTW, where did they ever come up with the one about not splitting F cards? Recently one guy made some absurd "the book says" comment and I asked him which book. He said it was actually a video on the game by James Coburn. Can it get better than that?

 

[sagefr0g]

i gotta go along with blackjackjim on this.
just me maybe, and i know it's not how the pro's view it, just how i see it, blackjack is one of those rare gems that is about as close to a 'free lunch' as one is likely to find, and even so it's full of as much drama as just about everything else.

 

[hawkeye]

+1 on loving blackjack

I grew up playing all sorts of card games, and I love pretty much all of them. Poker, BJ, pitch, hearts, spades, gin/rummy, go fish, crazy eights, spoons, war, speed, golf, heck I can't even remember them all.

Anyone ever find a casino that lets you play pitch for money, let me know!

 

[johndoe]

I'd still play

Even with an unlimited amount of money. I make more working anyhow, so even though I'm +ev, it's still arguably negative. But I really enjoy it.

 

[creeping panther]

Juice

I don't know. I used to dread going to the casino to make my money- the smoke, the stupidity, the long hours and boring execution. I'm still just an engineer inside, and the environment in the casino is about as enjoyable as having an accident in the lab and injuring myself.

But recently I've been adapting to it a little better, discovering fun and enjoyable things I can mix into it. Taking more advantage of comps helps, as does finding better restaurants and bars. The alcohol is a big plus.

Here's a different way of looking at it- if you had an unlimited amount of money, would you still play? I'd find something more rewarding to do, like maybe work on my game and hit the bridge scene. Bridge is a real card game. Funny thing about bridge, it has a reputation for being a highbrow, erudite game, but when rubber bridge was played for money they were some of the dirtiest, sleaziest cheats going.

For me the "Action Is The Juice":grin:

The money is never the issue. Superiority, dominace and competition, that is the motivation.

CP

 

[blackchipjim]

entertainment value

I guess I'm bad when I go to a casino for entertainment value. I go to Vegas for real fun. I turn into a different animal when I arrive at the airport and continues til I get back on the plane to leave. The people you meet are varied to say the least but that is part of the game too.
Sitting at a table of regular joes or janes and playing for the moment is part of the fun. I love to sit down at a table that is going into a so called losing streak only to see people change when they start getting more bjs and the dealer start to bust out.
I don't play that often that the game has lost it's thrill of the big bets out and the final outcome. I hope the game doesn't get to be a chore or an unattainable goal in my life. I love to play and experience both the wins and losses because I learn from my losses.

 

[Bojack1]

Actually for me the most enjoyment I get is not playing. I enjoy when the playing is done and I get to relax with a few drinks, and do whatever aside from playing. Don't get me wrong I don't mind playing, but I don't get off on it. I don't care much about the people at the table and truthfully I usually don't hang around them long enough to get a gage on their mood swings. I don't make friends in the casino nor do I care to. Winning is great, losing is not, but neither spikes my adrenaline. Its just part of a game that pretty much has a predetermined outcome. There is no playing decisions I will ever agonize over nor make me sweat with anticipation. If that were the case I would not even bother with this game. I am not particularly fond of the casino atmosphere, I am fond of what can be done in it. Thats why I do it. My hobbies and adrenaline rushes all come from outside the casino for the most part. I'm not a robot, I enjoy the beautiful girls that frequent or work at many of the casinos, I do occasionally get a kick out of a drunk or obnoxious person that plays the fool, and I will enjoy some of the entertainment casinos offers especially boxing matches. But as for loving the game as I sit at the table, I may as well be sitting at my kitchen table at home, it gives me close to the same feeling aside from I don't get paid at home. And thats it in a nutshell I like to get paid, thats my enjoyment, all else at the table means virtually nothing to me. I have no feelings of me against the casino, or any other romantic type notions. My feelings are only this, I have played well, win or lose its irrelevant its all part of the game, the rest will take care of itself and I don't care who sits at the table while I'm doing my job.

 

[psyduck]

The money is never the issue. Superiority, dominace and competition, that is the motivation.
CP

You are joking again!

 

[MartyAce]

Actually for me the most enjoyment I get is not playing. I enjoy when the playing is done and I get to relax with a few drinks, and do whatever aside from playing. Don't get me wrong I don't mind playing, but I don't get off on it. I don't care much about the people at the table and truthfully I usually don't hang around them long enough to get a gage on their mood swings. I don't make friends in the casino nor do I care to. Winning is great, losing is not, but neither spikes my adrenaline. Its just part of a game that pretty much has a predetermined outcome. There is no playing decisions I will ever agonize over nor make me sweat with anticipation. If that were the case I would not even bother with this game. I am not particularly fond of the casino atmosphere, I am fond of what can be done in it. Thats why I do it. My hobbies and adrenaline rushes all come from outside the casino for the most part. I'm not a robot, I enjoy the beautiful girls that frequent or work at many of the casinos, I do occasionally get a kick out of a drunk or obnoxious person that plays the fool, and I will enjoy some of the entertainment casinos offers especially boxing matches. But as for loving the game as I sit at the table, I may as well be sitting at my kitchen table at home, it gives me close to the same feeling aside from I don't get paid at home. And thats it in a nutshell I like to get paid, thats my enjoyment, all else at the table means virtually nothing to me. I have no feelings of me against the casino, or any other romantic type notions. My feelings are only this, I have played well, win or lose its irrelevant its all part of the game, the rest will take care of itself and I don't care who sits at the table while I'm doing my job.

I can't think of a better way to put it then how Bojack said. I enjoy playing, but I do not believe in getting too attached. I know what I'm doing is a winning strategy, the money I put out there is a tool. I think when you get into this love of the game mentality, you can start really playing emotional.

When emotions enter the mix you will not be playing at your maximum potential.

A good quote from Yoda, "Learn to let go, all which that you care about."

 

[creeping panther]

Bojack

Actually for me the most enjoyment I get is not playing. I enjoy when the playing is done and I get to relax with a few drinks, and do whatever aside from playing. Don't get me wrong I don't mind playing, but I don't get off on it. I don't care much about the people at the table and truthfully I usually don't hang around them long enough to get a gage on their mood swings. I don't make friends in the casino nor do I care to. Winning is great, losing is not, but neither spikes my adrenaline. Its just part of a game that pretty much has a predetermined outcome. There is no playing decisions I will ever agonize over nor make me sweat with anticipation. If that were the case I would not even bother with this game. I am not particularly fond of the casino atmosphere, I am fond of what can be done in it. Thats why I do it. My hobbies and adrenaline rushes all come from outside the casino for the most part. I'm not a robot, I enjoy the beautiful girls that frequent or work at many of the casinos, I do occasionally get a kick out of a drunk or obnoxious person that plays the fool, and I will enjoy some of the entertainment casinos offers especially boxing matches. But as for loving the game as I sit at the table, I may as well be sitting at my kitchen table at home, it gives me close to the same feeling aside from I don't get paid at home. And thats it in a nutshell I like to get paid, thats my enjoyment, all else at the table means virtually nothing to me. I have no feelings of me against the casino, or any other romantic type notions. My feelings are only this, I have played well, win or lose its irrelevant its all part of the game, the rest will take care of itself and I don't care who sits at the table while I'm doing my job.

Very fine post there Bojack.

A great insight into your mind and motivation. Most interesting.

CP

 

[johndoe]

I think when you get into this love of the game mentality, you can start really playing emotional.

When emotions enter the mix you will not be playing at your maximum potential.

A good quote from Yoda, "Learn to let go, all which that you care about."

I don't agree with that at all. Enjoying the game doesn't mean you get sloppy, nor does it have any correlation with playing "emotionally". On the contrary, enjoying the game keeps me sharp, and practicing, to be as effective as possible.

Why would people play chess or bridge so seriously, and without being paid? Purely because they enjoy it, and their pleasure ultimately makes them better players.

I can't imagine why anyone would bother with AP if they didn't enjoy it. The money's not THAT good.

 

[sagefr0g]

I don't agree with that at all. Enjoying the game doesn't mean you get sloppy, nor does it have any correlation with playing "emotionally". On the contrary, enjoying the game keeps me sharp, and practicing, to be as effective as possible.

Why would people play chess or bridge so seriously, and without being paid? Purely because they enjoy it, and their pleasure ultimately makes them better players.

I can't imagine why anyone would bother with AP if they didn't enjoy it. The money's not THAT good.

i say ditto on that pretty much.
but maybe it's a different strokes for different folks, sort of thing.

like me, i can't beat the emotions.
and who was it said if you can't beat them, join them? lol

but me, i believe if i wasn't in tune with my emotions with respect to the game and what it means to me, as much of a fantasy as that may be, well, i believe the result would be utter ruin.

that said, maybe not really paradoxically, but seemingly so, the game is what it is while being at the same time what we make it, just like life i guess.

 

[Bojack1]

I don't agree with that at all. Enjoying the game doesn't mean you get sloppy, nor does it have any correlation with playing "emotionally". On the contrary, enjoying the game keeps me sharp, and practicing, to be as effective as possible.

Why would people play chess or bridge so seriously, and without being paid? Purely because they enjoy it, and their pleasure ultimately makes them better players.

I can't imagine why anyone would bother with AP if they didn't enjoy it. The money's not THAT good.

I get what you're saying here and can respect your point of view. But there are differences in how we play the game. This is not my hobby nor my form of recreation. I do enjoy playing but my true passionate pleasures do not come from the casino or playing blackjack. I like being extremely proficient at what I do. I like being able to do what most can't. I like making money. Also with that last point, everyone has their own degree of thinking of what making good money is, in my world the money I make playing is damn good. Some may not think so, some may be astounded what can be made, but to me the money is very worth it. If someone has a love for the game, thats fine, its nice to feel that I suppose. The means justifies the ends for me, no love lost or gained, just doing my thing.