"Strange to hear Lodestone called a contender as it has been around a lot longer."
Longevity has nothing to do with it. A contender is simply someone who longs to attain the successful plateau of another.
"The pool of knowledgeable players is much greater by several orders of magnitude ao the current measures against advantage players should
come as no surprise."
I don't believe lowering pay tables has anything to do with 'measures against knowledgeable players'. Casinos are always one step ahead of any group of players--large or small--of any casino game. That's how they survive and prosper. You want to surprise them? Then react as an individual and as they wouldn't expect. Change defines people. I also miss the $2 10/7 DB games there, but I've got a plan on how to make that work in my favor--as we all should. That's what will hurt them. But right now, Coast revenue will not suffer. Even today I'm reading here about how the Palms is packed while the GC is empty. That I don't believe, and the more it's printed the bigger the myth. 2 weekends ago at 4am I saw a bustling GC, while across the street I could count the gamblers on one hand.
"Yes you can play FPDW but it's better to just get a job and get laid off as the bounceback stream from unemployment is a lot less volatile and lasts a
lot longer."
Are you saying it's better to collect unemployment benefits compared to playing non-FPDW? And vice-versa for FPDW?? ??
"The players who've been in it longer are probably wishing for the days when there weren't analytical tools as I've heard stories of fantastic plays which
make you regret being born so late."
It's not that bad, is it? Just for 5 credits and .25% cash back?
"It's a daunting thought, but can you imagine that there are players who are just starting out who will consider today the golden age?"
I consider the last few years, this year, and the coming years the golden age of play. I see nothing but more interesting play with more interesting challenges to overcome in the future.