rockofjello333 wrote:
Does the second edition of the book differ markedly from the first?
In other words, is the information updated to reflect the
drastically increased difficulty of making significant $$$ in
the "new" VP milieu?
The main updates to the book are to cover a couple of newer games and to replace the old risk of ruin calculations with the Sorokin formula. There are numerous minor updates and corrections. Since I have never written for the "significant $$$" players (i.e., the self-proclaimed pros), there has been little change for my audience.
Specifically, that what you did in the late 90's (the subject of the book) is no longer possible?
What I did in the early 90's, late 90's and early 2000's obviously is still possible because I'm still doing it. Specifically, playing mostly full pay Deuces Wild, but the comps and slot club benefits are better now. Although there are fewer such games available now, I never have trouble getting on a good machine.
Like "The Frugal Gambler" and "Beat The Dealer", your book makes for
an interesting read but now has more historical interest than
practical value.
Strange, but you're the only one who has ever made that comment. The book is as valuable for beginning and intermediate players as it ever was. It may be even more valuable now because it's more important to look for good conditions.
It would be interesting if you wrote a book on how
to "survive" VP (how to gamble at VP at little or no cost in order
to enhance a Vegas vacation), but that has never been your
perspective or goal.
It seems that Jean Scott has already done that. Both of us have always recommended using our books together.
Such a book, however, would be of more interest
to this group than the story of "how I abandoned all scruples and
subordinated my personal life to the pursuit of big bucks at VP".
I have not abandoned any scruples. I have never pursued the "big bucks." I have always been a skilled recreational player, and continue to do so. My interest is still in helping such players.
Since you appear to have "switched sides", as it were (since the
realtionship between skilled players and casinos will always be an
adversarial one), one wonders whether the continued publication of
your exploits will do more harm than good, in that it may encourage
the uninformed to try something (move to Vegas and rape and pillage
the VP machines and make big bucks) that cannot in fact be done any
longer.
I have not "switched sides", whatever you mean by that, and I have never published my exploits. Apparently you're confusing me with a well-known "pro." It's true that the vultures quickly kill any big bucks opportunity that happens to become available, but I have never been part of that group. If you had actually read my book, you would know that I am against that type of play.
Before criticizing my, you should get to know me and my publications a little better.
Dan
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Dan Paymar
Author of best selling book, "Video Poker - Optimum Play"
Editor/Publisher of VP newsletter "Video Poker Times"
Developer of VP analysis/trainer software "Optimum Video Poker"
Visit my web site at www.OptimumPlay.com
"Chance favors the prepared mind." -- Louis Pasteur