vpFREE2 Forums

Bob Dancer Column - 30 NOV 2016

#1

That's a good column, Bob.

I suppose the first sign of trouble was when Marge said that she liked to play Double Double Bonus, and that she though the strategy was "pretty much common sense.” You might get some ways with common sense playing JOB or NSUD, but not DDB. Marge and Ed set a difficult task for themselves.

The sad fact is that there are a lot of people in the world, and a lot of people in this country, who just don't believe that the physical universe--at least relatively simple aspects of it like silly casino games--can be modeled mathematically. Yet they happily accept the benefits of riding around in planes, trains, and automobiles, and enjoy using all of the other trinkets built by people who know how successful math and reason are in understanding how the universe works. Many people's lives are ruled by superstition and emotion. It's not that they lack innate intelligence--I expect that Marge and Ed were born with as good brains and with as much potential as the average person. It's a matter of upbringing and of lazy habits of mind that people fall into. I'm afraid that long before retirement age, such people are completely out of reach. There's no making up for decades of failing to develop and exercise the brain.

Just more easy prey for the casinos, of course. It's what they thrive on.

WRX

#2

I think they were probably stroking Bob. Here’s the clue:

" “Every hand has a mathematically correct play. Let me ask you some basic ones,” I said. “How would you play A♠ Q♥ J♣ 7♦ 4♣?” I knew the correct choice was QJ, but many DDB players hold just the ace. Occasionally some players without a clue hold AQJ. “I’d throw them all away,” Marge announced.’ "

Come on. Who throws away an Ace? It just screams high card right at you! It’s mostly white, has one pip, and has a big A on it in case you were in doubt. You can spot it a mile away. It doesn’t look like any of the other cards.

The problem is, where’s the EV in disclosing to a guy like Bob that you might be a threat? Better to dummy up, maybe he’ll advise marketing to increase your offers. In any casino you want to be known as the village idiot, not almost as smart as Bob.

If Bob asked me how to play this hand I’d say “throw them all away”, like Margie here, you go girl, but then on second thought, hey there, you’ve got some face cards in there, doncha wanna keep some of those? I’m just saying, yah know, these days you can’t be too choosy. Say, have you tried the buffet yet, the cheese balls are to die for, I mean they are to die for, yah know? Love your choice of shirt, it just screams winner! But hey, maybe next time consider an undie with it, yah know?, I’m just saying. In these high pressure situations you can never know when your underarm protection can give out, yah know?

Grosejean presents the ideal “casino look”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRt377iIN4E

#3

I think they were probably stroking Bob.

···

Doubtful. These were nice folks, but not very bright. I took what they said at face value. I suppose it’s possible I was successfully hoodwinked — but if I were a betting man I’d put the odds against that at at least 100-1.

BTW, whatever Youtube says, James Grosjean does not spell his name “Grosejean”

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