In a message dated 8/9/2006 9:36:44 PM Pacific Standard Time,
jacobs@xmission.com writes:
I don't reject max-ER strategy, either "out of hand" or any other way.
If you like it, then use it. If maximizing ER is TRULY your objective, then
it is the perfect strategy for you to use. I merely offer other strategies
to
those who wish to accomplish something other than maximize dollars
returned per hand played.
···
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And I've read all your posts on the subject. I even understood most of the c
oncepts, and followed most of the math! Why an adequately bankrolled person
would want to play a strategy different from MER still escapes me. Oh, yeah,
"other goals." Fine. And if a person is NOT adequately bankrolled for a
particular game/platform/denomination, I think they would be better off playing a
less volatile game, or the same game at a lower denomination, or playing fewer
lines on multiline, or some combination of these, to substantially reduce
their risk. Alternate strategies don't lower risk enough to matter much. Not
for me, at least.
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I don't claim that no one has the goal of maximizing ER. The point
of my question is that maximizing ER...<big snip>
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You are going on about maximizing ER. I was speaking of playing MER strategy
on a game for which one is adequately bankrolled. Totally different! But you
know that.
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Declaring alternate strategies "impractical" does not make it so. If
you don't like them, then don't use them. If you have rational arguments
for never departing from max-ER strategy, then I'd love to hear them, but
I'll undoubtedly point out that the math and logic do not support such
claims.
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Undoubtedly. How about impractical compared to the alternatives? Like
playing something less volatile instead? And how can you evaluate practical or
impractical when you hardly play video poker yourself? That is what "practical"
means--putting into practice! It is what I do for several hours every day in
casinos for real money. That is practical. Maybe you should stick with
"theoretical."
And I did mention that I usually use alternate strategies during VP
tournaments.
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If it upsets you this much to have your beliefs challenged, then it
might benefit your blood pressure to simply avoid my posts.
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I have no beliefs, therefore you can't challenge them. Beliefs (acceptance
without facts) get in the way of learning. And when I'm "upset" the text turns
red!
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It seems clear that I've touched a raw nerve of some sort. I'm guessing
that you
may have been trained in the "ER is everything" religion, and that my
message is blasphemy to your ears.
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I wouldn't let you get close enough to touch any nerves. I practice no
religion of any sort. Your guess is wrong. There is no such thing as "blasphemy"
to someone who is not religious. And it would not be "ears," but "eyes." Five
errors in two sentences. I assume your math is better. 
=======================================
Feel free to call me "self serving"
and put forth other forms of emotion appeal if it makes you feel better,
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I didn't call you anything. I said "seems pretty self serving to me." If you
think that is an attack, you're a pretty sensitive guy! Thin skinned, too!
=====================================
Practical players first assess the risk, then decide if it an acceptable
one to them. Once this process is complete, MER is the strategy I use, and
it is an informed decision. If you can persuade others to adapt other
strategies, great! They will win less, and the good plays might last a bit
longer. So please, carry on!
So what you're saying is that anyone who makes strategy choices that
differ from yours is "impractical" or "uninformed?"
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Apparently you have some problems with English comprehension.
Read again what I wrote above. The first sentence applies to "practical
players." The second sentence applies to me, personally (note the word "I"). I
include myself among "practical players," but do not say that all of those have
to make the same decisions I make. I just stated that my own decision (to
play MER strategy if the risk is acceptable) is an informed one. I say nothing
about other players' decisions. Others can do as they please!
======================================
You speak of making informed decisions, but your message was clearly
based on emotion rather than reason. If the only support you have for
your position is a personal attack on me, then I wonder if your position
is really "informed" or just emotionally soothing.
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Wonder all you like. And I have not attacked you personally. You like
playing with numbers and concepts. So do I. You do it like a mathematician, I do it
more like an applied physicist. Means I actually get my hands dirty, and try
to apply the concepts out in the real world. Most mathematicians just enjoy
playing with the ideas, and the real world be damned! Sound familiar?
There was talk in an earlier thread about some guy who had $200 and needed
$300 for a plane ticket to get away from Guido, who was going to break his
kneecaps. You talked about how he could best meet his "goal" of winning that
extra $100. My solution would have been for the guy to buy a $50 bus ticket.
Simple and elegant. And he still would have $150 for a room and food!
Enjoy that view from your ivory tower! <---not an attack, just a tiny jab...
Brian
PS: If you perceive everything I say as a personal attack, then it might
benefit your blood pressure to simply avoid my posts.
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