Strange Happening Today at Barona

[bjaygold]

Or ask me. Bad idea. You are advertising to the casino staff that you will
be playing almost perfectly, and that the game you are playing is at least
"pretty good" for the player. Worst of all would be to use a strategy chart when
playing a good game that the casino put in by mistake! Using a chart draws
attention to both you, and to the mistake!

If you absolutely MUST use one in the casino, make it as small as possible,
keep it out of sight when not using it, and be discreet when you do look at
it. Or, best of all, learn the strategy well enough that you only need the
strategy chart for very rare hands. Or not at all!

Most casinos will "allow" you to use strategy charts. That doesn't mean
there aren't lots of negatives which go along with doing so.

Brian

···

========================================

In a message dated 1/29/2009 2:04:58 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
nightoftheiguana2000@yahoo.com writes:

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "tenore_s" <tenore_s@...> wrote:

As for the strategy sheet, I see no reason at all why it cannot stay.

You should read Dancer's "Million Dollar Video Poker" if you think
winning video poker players don't get "backed off". Then read
Nersesian's "Beat the Players" for the more interesting stuff that
happens. Ask Dancer or Jean Scott what they think of using strategy
sheets at a casino.

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy
steps!
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De
cemailfooterNO62)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Curtis_Rich]

Brian,

So, assuming that you are playing a machine that was NOT put
on the casino floor 'by mistake' (which is the vast majority of the
machines), what are some of the "....lots of negatives which go
along with...." openly using a strategy chart?

Why does one care if the casino personnel know whether you
are playing 'almost perfectly' or not?

Personally, I don't use a strategy chart while playing. But, I just
don't understand what the big deal is (if some people do).

Curtis

···

On 1/29/09, bjaygold@aol.com <bjaygold@aol.com> wrote:

<SNIP> You are advertising to the casino staff that you will be playing
almost perfectly, and that the game you are playing is at least "pretty
good" for the player. Worst of all would be to use a strategy chart when
playing a good game that the casino put in by mistake! Using a chart
draws attention to both you, and to the mistake!
<SNIP>
Most casinos will "allow" you to use strategy charts. That doesn't mean
there aren't lots of negatives which go along with doing so.

Brian

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Harry_Porter]

Curtis Rich wrote:

Why does one care if the casino personnel know whether you
are playing 'almost perfectly' or not?

Personally, I don't use a strategy chart while playing. But, I just
don't understand what the big deal is (if some people do).

I'll set this up a little differently from Brian.

It's absolutely inconsequential ... except in those cases where casino
management perceives that some vp players are more valuable than
others (even where play of the same paytable is involved).

In that instance, playing with a strategy card in plain view may flag
you as one of the "less valuable".

These days, that's not an unlikely scenario anywhere.

- H.

[Curtis_Rich]

Harry,

I interpret your double-negative statement to mean that it is likely
a casino would flag a chart-user as less desirable.

That may, or may not, be true. But, assuming you are correct,
some casino personnel has to see the player using the cheat sheet
and then actually do something about it. Even if a casino employee
found a user 'less desirable' - are they really going to go through
the trouble to 86 them, as Brian described? Or, any of the other
negative things that Brian mentioned?

Even if I agreed that a casino would flag a chart-user as 'less
desirable,' I still think that there must be more to the story
(than just using a cheat sheet) if someone actually experiences
negative repercussions.

Curtis

···

On 1/29/09, Harry Porter <harry.porter@verizon.net> wrote:

Curtis Rich wrote:
> Why does one care if the casino personnel know whether you
> are playing 'almost perfectly' or not?
>
> Personally, I don't use a strategy chart while playing. But, I just
> don't understand what the big deal is (if some people do).

I'll set this up a little differently from Brian.

It's absolutely inconsequential ... except in those cases where casino
management perceives that some vp players are more valuable than
others (even where play of the same paytable is involved).

In that instance, playing with a strategy card in plain view may flag
you as one of the "less valuable".

These days, that's not an unlikely scenario anywhere.

- H.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[popinjay999]

I've read this entire thread, and want to add something. Aside from
all the arguments so far for or against using strategy sheets, how
about not using the sheets not just because it might be noticed by
management, but rather do so for your own personal satisfaction and
pride in knowing that you can play a game proficiently without using a
cheat sheet? To me that seems like it would be incentive enough.
When I practice a game enough to play almost flawlessly and understand
why a lot of plays are made, I feel a satisfaction within myself. It
doesn't come easy. Learning to play perfectly or almost perfectly is
hard work and takes a lot of study and thinking. Don't do it
half-assed with a cheat sheet. Get serious about it, and learn that
game! You'll feel good about yourself.

-P

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Harry Porter" <harry.porter@...> wrote:

I'll set this up a little differently from Brian.

It's absolutely inconsequential ... except in those cases where casino
management perceives that some vp players are more valuable than
others (even where play of the same paytable is involved).

In that instance, playing with a strategy card in plain view may flag
you as one of the "less valuable".

These days, that's not an unlikely scenario anywhere.

- H.

[jackessiebabe]

In addition to all the good reasons proposed by popinjay,
both Brians and Harry, as to why it is best NOT to use a
strategy sheet while playing in a casino, IMO, the best
reason is still this one; The VP player who needs to refer
to a SS in casino probably does NOT know the game well
enough to be risking his/her money playing it.

Even if one is strictly a rec player, as I am, I would hate
to have a reckless disdain for presrving my bankroll. I am
NOT willing to lose more money than necessary, simply
because I don't want to spend time learning and MEMORIZING
a chart of preferred holds, before risking my cash in a
casino.

There is a time and a place for the utilization of strategy
sheets. IMO, the time is whatever free moments are available
and the place is at home. I think that SS are excellent
learning tools when used together with computer software in
practice sessions. That is the ideal time to consult a SS to
see if you are holding the best cards, before the software
corrects your decison. I also believe that most anyone who is
intelligent enough to play VP with any hope of near 100%
accuracy, is able to memorize the order of held hands, with
just a bit of effort.

Frankly, I would be embarrassed by having to still consult a
"cheat-sheet", after all the years that I've been playing VP.
But, even the greenest of newbies, should make the effort to
do their homework before giving the casino a shot at their
hard earned bankroll!

~Babe~

···

=================================================
In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "popinjay999" <popinjay999@..wrote:

....When I practice a game enough to play almost flawlessly and
understand why a lot of plays are made, I feel a satisfaction
within myself. It doesn't come easy. Learning to play perfectly
or almost perfectly is hard work and takes a lot of study and
thinking.........

[James_Thompson]

I use them all the time at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas and have never had a problem. I have even enlarged the Dancer strategy cards to 8.5 x 11 and place them right to the side of the 8/5bonus machine. If anyone would ask I just would say that I usually go with intuition and not use the cards. wink wink....
I have been given a hard time at Wynn when I tried to give an older lady an 8.5 x 11 of Beginnning Strategy for 9/6 job I had 4 security guys accuse me of selling it.

Harry,I interpret your double-negative statement to mean that it is likelya casino would flag a chart-user as less desirable.That may, or may not, be true. But, assuming you are correct,some casino personnel has to see the player using the cheat sheetand then actually do something about it. Even if a casino employeefound a user 'less desirable' - are they really going to go throughthe trouble to 86 them, as Brian described? Or, any of the othernegative things that Brian mentioned?Even if I agreed that a casino would flag a chart-user as 'lessdesirable,' I still think that there must be more to the story(than just using a cheat sheet) if someone actually experiencesnegative repercussions.CurtisOn 1/29/09, Harry Porter <harry.porter@verizon.net> wrote:>> Curtis Rich wrote:> > Why does one care if the casino personnel know whether you> > are playing 'almost perfectly' or not?> >> > Personally, I don't use a strategy chart while playing. But, I just> > don't understand what the big deal is (if some people do).>> I'll set this up a little differently from Brian.>> It's absolutely inconsequential ... except in those cases where casino> management perceives that some vp players are more valuable than> others (even where play of the same paytable is involved).>> In that instance, playing with a strategy card in plain view may flag> you as one of the "less valuable".>> These days, that's not an unlikely scenario anywhere.>> - H.>>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

···

To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.comFrom: LGTVegas@gmail.comDate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:06:16 -0800Subject: Re: [vpFREE] Strange Happening Today at Barona

_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail.
http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_hm_justgotbetter_howitworks_012009

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[David]

I've read this entire thread, and want to add something. Aside from
all the arguments so far for or against using strategy sheets, how
about not using the sheets not just because it might be noticed by
management, but rather do so for your own personal satisfaction and
pride in knowing that you can play a game proficiently without

using a

cheat sheet? To me that seems like it would be incentive enough.
When I practice a game enough to play almost flawlessly and

understand

why a lot of plays are made, I feel a satisfaction within myself.

It

doesn't come easy. Learning to play perfectly or almost perfectly

is

hard work and takes a lot of study and thinking. Don't do it
half-assed with a cheat sheet. Get serious about it, and learn that
game! You'll feel good about yourself.

-P

I sometimes use cheat sheets for reason in keeping with your rational!
I have put in many practice hours on the computer and usually have
cumulative EVs of 99.95%+. However only in JOB or PE do I know 100%
of the correct plays cold. I play a list of games depending on the
best EV offered and tend to travel. For example in Vegas I may play
NSU or DB or various joker games. For the first session I may
occasional glance at a cheat sheet, just to ensure my hold is
correct. I find that without the cheat sheet, I suffer too much
anxiety wondering if perhaps I made an incorrect hold, and I will
get discouraged if I made an incorrect penalty card play at say DB.
As it is, I play about twice as slowly at a casino as opposed to
computer practice, which is irrational in terms of maximizing
returns. The best analogy is multilingual friends (I am not one) who
my take a day or so to adjust to speaking fluently in their non-
native tongue, but who are greatly embarrassed at being taken for a
tourist.

I also carry cheat sheets in my wallet, relating to what values are
needed to be to make progressives playable, MS strategies, changes to
JOB strategy for BP and Bdlx, etc. While I seldom play with a cheat
sheet visible, they provide a comfort crutch which may enhance
equanimity.

David

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "popinjay999" <popinjay999@...> wrote:

[Harry_Porter]

jackessiebabe wrote:

In addition to all the good reasons proposed by popinjay,
both Brians and Harry, as to why it is best NOT to use a
strategy sheet while playing in a casino, IMO, the best
reason is still this one; The VP player who needs to refer
to a SS in casino probably does NOT know the game well
enough to be risking his/her money playing it.

Brave, Babe.

In fact, I'll offer an analogy. Someone riding a bike with training
wheels has no business being out in the road with traffic.

Okay, I'll allow that having a bit of a crutch when starting out with
a game can make good sense. But about the time that you have 20 hours
under your belt with a paytable, for your own sake you want to pull
your game strategy together sufficiently to start flying solo.

No matter what denom you play, it's a safe bet that it represents
decently serious money (few people get a real charge out of play if
losses don't bring some pain and wins aren't cause for real
jubilation). If you're heavily reliant on a strategy card, it's a
certainty that you're not on top of your game ... and prone to making
some significant errors with frequency, despite presence of the card.

Still, all but the simplest games have hold decisions that can be a
rather tough call, yet occur very infrequently ... challenging even
some of the most astute players who don't possess perfect recall.
Having a small card discretely pocketed for reference no more than
once or twice an hour can make good sense.

- H.

[nightoftheiguana2000]

lady an 8.5 x 11 of Beginnning Strategy for 9/6 job I had 4 security
guys accuse me of selling it.

Did you learn anything from that incident?

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, James Thompson <jamesgthompson@...> wrote:

I have been given a hard time at Wynn when I tried to give an older

[007]

Doesn't that argue against the idea that cheat sheets draw unwelcome
attention to a good game? I suspect that casino employees have more an
attitude of ridicule than fear of players using them. It looks
unprofessional.

···

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:11:22 -0000, Harry wrote:

If you're heavily reliant on a strategy card, it's a
certainty that you're not on top of your game ... and prone to making
some significant errors with frequency, despite presence of the card.

[popinjay999]

I use them all the time at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas and have never

had a problem. I have even enlarged the Dancer strategy cards to 8.5
x 11 and place them right to the side of the 8/5bonus machine. If
anyone would ask I just would say that I usually go with intuition and
not use the cards. wink wink....

I have been given a hard time at Wynn when I tried to give an older

lady an 8.5 x 11 of Beginnning Strategy for 9/6 job I had 4 security
guys accuse me of selling it.

Holy smoke, that really sounds like a bad idea. Good luck. lol

Regarding giving the little old lady some "help", let me tell you, I
have simply learned my lesson to keep my mouth shut when I see other
players doing something "wrong". Nobody wants to be "corrected", to
start with. Anyway, a couple months ago I said something to this girl
who I see a lot, she was not using a player's card. I told her she
should, and I regret opening my big mouth. She said she had played
there for years, and that she stopped using the card about two years
ago. I cringed upon hearing that, and told her she has passed by
thousands of dollars. I forget what she said, but I must have shown
my disdain for such an air-head in the tone of my voice. Well, now
everytimne I see her I get the mean looks from her, and I know I had
no business opening my mouth in the first place. Look, if it wasn't
for stupid people, there would be none of these wonderful
opportunities for us not-so-stupid people. lol So, essentially, I
was the one who is stupid for trying to help someone. Never again!

-P

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, James Thompson <jamesgthompson@...> wrote:

[Scott_Norwood]

Frankly, I would be embarrassed by having to still consult a
"cheat-sheet" , after all the years that I've been playing VP.
But, even the greenest of newbies, should make the effort to
do their homework before giving the casino a shot at their
hard earned bankroll!

~Babe~

I'm not embarrassed to use a 'cheat sheet' for a few 'sticky situation' hands in an hour of playing. I'd rather be perfect, and I do consider myself as a pretty good player.
Never had casino personnel say a word to me. Again, I consult it only a very few times. It is easily available, and I use it if needed.
Scott.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

···

--- On Fri, 1/30/09, jackessiebabe <jackessiebabe@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: jackessiebabe <jackessiebabe@yahoo.com>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Using Strategy Sheets In Casinos - Was: Strange Happening Today at Barona
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:56 AM

[Chandler]

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "nightoftheiguana2000"
<nightoftheiguana2000@...> wrote:

> I have been given a hard time at Wynn when I tried to give an older
lady an 8.5 x 11 of Beginnning Strategy for 9/6 job I had 4 security
guys accuse me of selling it.

Did you learn anything from that incident?

Not to give an 8.5x11 receipt with all strategies?

Chandler

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, James Thompson <jamesgthompson@> wrote:

[Mickey]

I am not embarrassed to say I use cheat sheets. I play so many
different games that the strategies can occasionally run together on
me. I sometimes get mental blocks and need something to jog my
memory.

But I don't use normal strategy cards or anything like an 8 X 11
sheet. I use a 3 X 5 pocket memo book that one can buy in any drug
store or Walmart. I actually carry two of these, one has strategies,
payback percentages, and other pertinent information. The other is
used to record wins and losses, along with other various and sundry
things like Walmart shopping lists and such. I'm a very forgetfull
person and when I think of something I have to write it down or I will
forget it, and for scratch paper in case I have to do an on-the-spot
equation. I always have a pocket calculator on me too.

If I need to jog my memory I'll usually open the notebook to the right
page and stick it back in my shirt pocket. When I get to a hand I
can't remember how to play I will just pull the notebook up a little
and bend it back to look at the strategy chart.

That's what I usually do. But just a couple of months ago I got a
little lax. As I walked into a casino in Deer Lodge I noticed the
office door open and a lady sitting there doing some paperwork. One of
those security TV's was sitting on the desk beside her. I didn't think
anything of it and went to looking at the games on the machines.

Whoopy!!!! I found an advantage game. I sat down and started playing.
I hadn't played that particular game in awhile and was gonna need some
help. But instead of doing my usual, I pulled the darn thing all the
way out a couple of times.

So I'm playing along and get a tap on the shoulder:
"Excuse me, Sir. May I ask you what you are doing?"
"Huh? Well, I'm playing a little video poker, ma'am."
"No, with that pocket notebook you have. I noticed you playing and
then looking in your notebook. What are you doing?"
"Huh? What are you talking about? Ohhh!! The notebook?"

I whip out my other notebook from the same pocket, then open it up to
the last page. Right across the top it says "Walmart Shopping List."

Then I tell her: "Yeah, I'm going to Missoula tomorrow and if I don't
write stuff down I'll forget it. I was just checking to see if I had
shaving cream on the list, then I had to check if I had shampoo on the
list."
"Oh, I'm sorry to have bothered you, Sir. I was just curious."
"No problem" I say as she heads back to the office.

When I found the Joker Spin Poker play in Ely I had no experience at
the game but had Dancer's KBJW strategy card. I had cut away the
expert strategy side from the rest. Then I accidentally washed it and
the laminate came apart. So I folded it in half and glued the two
sides together. It made it small and compact with the Joker hands
strategy on one side and the Non-Joker hands on the other side. It fit
right in the palm of my hand and no one could see it. All I had to do
was roll my hand up to get a quick look.

[Mickey]

Nevada Statute 465.075 states:

It is unlawful for any person at a licensed establishment to use, or
possess with the intent to use, any device to assist:

a. In projecting the outcome of a game

b. In keeping track of the cards played

c. In analyzing the probability of the occurance of an event
relating to the game

d. In analyziing the strategy for playing or betting to be used in
the game except as permitted by the commission.

This statute was enacted many years ago to protect the gambling
houses from blackjack players using concealed blackjack computers.
The problem with the Nevada law is "any device" is vague. The New
Jersey statute specifically says "electronic, electrical, or
mechanical device."

Under the Nevada law someone could construe it so that using a vp
strategy card while at the machine is unlawful, pencil and pad at a
baccarat table is unlawful, recording numbers at a roulette wheel is
unlawful.

Of course we know that in Nevada they will give you pencil and paper
at a baccarat table, let you record previous numbers at the roulette
wheel (many casinos record the numbers for you). And we've all seen
those worthless blackjack strategy cards for sale in casino gift
shops. I've even seen pit bosses passing them out for free. No one
in Nevada has ever been prosecuted for using these "devices" or for
using vp strategy cards.

But there was a strange case in Colorado some years ago. I read
about it in an Arnold Snyder column in Cardplayer Magazine. Snyder
is a blackjack writer. The Colorado statute is an exact copy of
Nevada Statute 465.075. Here is the story:

A man sits down at a backjack table in Blackhawk, Colorado and starts
playing. The betting limit was $5. When he is dealt in he pulls out
a blackjack strategy card of the kind sold in most Nevada casino gift
shops. He was using the strategy card to determine how to play his
hand. Casino personnel alerted the gaming commission and a gaming
agent promptly appeared. After observing the man using the card the
gaming agent arrested the man and charged him with using a "cheating
device." The charge carried a penalty, if convicted, of 6 to 18
months in jail, or a %500 to $5000 fine, or both.

In his article Snyder was looking for a blackjack player who happened
to be a lawyer to defend the man pro bono. I never learned of the
outcome of the case.

[mikeymic]

I am not embarrassed to say I use cheat sheets. I play so many
different games that the strategies can occasionally run together

on

me. I sometimes get mental blocks and need something to jog my
memory.

I was once asked at the Fitzgerald in Reno to no longer play
blackjack there. But I have never even been questioned while playing
video poker with a strategy card. Not a single time. And that
includes many $5 5 Plays in various High Limits which is about as
high as I go.

Despite opinions to the contrary I still haven't seen players
posting "I was asked to leave because of my cheat sheet" or "I am no
longer allowed to play at XYZ because I used a strategy card".

So, again, despite being advised to just learn every play in every
game perfectly, I can and will occasionally use the small index card
I bring with selected key plays on it. More power to you if you can
catch me using it. In fact, you are even welcome to question me if
your eyes are that good. Hey, with vision that keen you can even take
the wheel and fly me home after I cash out.

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "mickeycrimm" <mickeycrimm@...> wrote:

[511]

So based on what is being said here, it would be best for all of us to go to the garbage machines that are out there and just sit there with a "cheat sheet" and then the big wigs will think it is an advantage machine and remove it from the floor. (hopefully to be replaced with something better)

Ha Ha

Jimmy D

[pesach_kremen1]

Is the video poker at Barona really any better with all the problems discussed in this thread. There are other casinos in the area that let you play in a smoke free environment with close to 100% games that have good auto-hold and when you add the cash back and comps you are about at 100% -

···

--- On Fri, 1/30/09, d_richheimer <d_richheimer@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: d_richheimer <d_richheimer@yahoo.com>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Strange Happening Today at Barona
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:55 AM

            --- In vpFREE@yahoogroups. com, "popinjay999" <popinjay999@ ...> wrote:

I've read this entire thread, and want to add something. Aside from

all the arguments so far for or against using strategy sheets, how

about not using the sheets not just because it might be noticed by

management, but rather do so for your own personal satisfaction and

pride in knowing that you can play a game proficiently without

using a

cheat sheet? To me that seems like it would be incentive enough.

When I practice a game enough to play almost flawlessly and

understand

why a lot of plays are made, I feel a satisfaction within myself.

It

doesn't come easy. Learning to play perfectly or almost perfectly

is

hard work and takes a lot of study and thinking. Don't do it

half-assed with a cheat sheet. Get serious about it, and learn that

game! You'll feel good about yourself.

-P

I sometimes use cheat sheets for reason in keeping with your rational!

I have put in many practice hours on the computer and usually have

cumulative EVs of 99.95%+. However only in JOB or PE do I know 100%

of the correct plays cold. I play a list of games depending on the

best EV offered and tend to travel. For example in Vegas I may play

NSU or DB or various joker games. For the first session I may

occasional glance at a cheat sheet, just to ensure my hold is

correct. I find that without the cheat sheet, I suffer too much

anxiety wondering if perhaps I made an incorrect hold, and I will

get discouraged if I made an incorrect penalty card play at say DB.

As it is, I play about twice as slowly at a casino as opposed to

computer practice, which is irrational in terms of maximizing

returns. The best analogy is multilingual friends (I am not one) who

my take a day or so to adjust to speaking fluently in their non-

native tongue, but who are greatly embarrassed at being taken for a

tourist.

I also carry cheat sheets in my wallet, relating to what values are

needed to be to make progressives playable, MS strategies, changes to

JOB strategy for BP and Bdlx, etc. While I seldom play with a cheat

sheet visible, they provide a comfort crutch which may enhance

equanimity.

David

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[tenore_s]

And where is that? I want to play there. But I haven't been able to
find it. Maybe in the high-limit areas, but I'm interested in the 25c
machines. Barona definitely has the best 25c VP in San Diego, although
at $1 and higher Valley View and/or Viejas might match it.

   Robeto-Tenore

Is the video poker at Barona really any better with all the problems

discussed in this thread. There are other casinos in the area that let
you play in a smoke free environment with close to 100% games that
have good auto-hold and when you add the cash back and comps you are
about at 100% -

From: d_richheimer <d_richheimer@...>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Strange Happening Today at Barona
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:55 AM

            --- In vpFREE@yahoogroups. com, "popinjay999"

<popinjay999@ ...> wrote:

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, pesach kremen <royalflush2222@...> wrote:

--- On Fri, 1/30/09, d_richheimer <d_richheimer@...> wrote:

>

> I've read this entire thread, and want to add something. Aside from

> all the arguments so far for or against using strategy sheets, how

> about not using the sheets not just because it might be noticed by

> management, but rather do so for your own personal satisfaction and

> pride in knowing that you can play a game proficiently without

using a

> cheat sheet? To me that seems like it would be incentive enough.

> When I practice a game enough to play almost flawlessly and

understand

> why a lot of plays are made, I feel a satisfaction within myself.

It

> doesn't come easy. Learning to play perfectly or almost perfectly

is

> hard work and takes a lot of study and thinking. Don't do it

> half-assed with a cheat sheet. Get serious about it, and learn that

> game! You'll feel good about yourself.

>

> -P

I sometimes use cheat sheets for reason in keeping with your rational!

I have put in many practice hours on the computer and usually have

cumulative EVs of 99.95%+. However only in JOB or PE do I know 100%

of the correct plays cold. I play a list of games depending on the

best EV offered and tend to travel. For example in Vegas I may play

NSU or DB or various joker games. For the first session I may

occasional glance at a cheat sheet, just to ensure my hold is

correct. I find that without the cheat sheet, I suffer too much

anxiety wondering if perhaps I made an incorrect hold, and I will

get discouraged if I made an incorrect penalty card play at say DB.

As it is, I play about twice as slowly at a casino as opposed to

computer practice, which is irrational in terms of maximizing

returns. The best analogy is multilingual friends (I am not one) who

my take a day or so to adjust to speaking fluently in their non-

native tongue, but who are greatly embarrassed at being taken for a

tourist.

I also carry cheat sheets in my wallet, relating to what values are

needed to be to make progressives playable, MS strategies, changes to

JOB strategy for BP and Bdlx, etc. While I seldom play with a cheat

sheet visible, they provide a comfort crutch which may enhance

equanimity.

David

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