In a message dated 8/12/2006 11:12:13 AM Pacific Standard Time,
_jacobs@xmission.com_ (mailto:jac…@…com)
writes:
One day you tell me that you are trying to maximize EV, and you go so far
as to point out that what you do is "the definition of max-ER". Here are
your
exact words:
For every VP hand I am dealt, I want to win the most money, or lose the
least money. I believe that is the definition of max ER play, and I
attempt to play each hand in that fashion. And I also believe that most
"serious" players share this goal. For the hands we play, we wish to
win
···
as much as possible, or lose as little as possible. That is MY goal.
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You are good at quoting out of context.
I was always speaking of playing MER STRATEGY. Anyone who has actually read
what I wrote would know that. And I was speaking for myself, playing a game
for which I am adequately bankrolled, as I also said. And I pointed out, that,
in my opinion, there are better alternatives than alternate strategies for
those who are NOT adequately bankrolled. Such as switching to less volatile
games, lower denominations, etc.
The idea that someone playing VP would actually "try to maximize ER" is
something only a math person living in a fantasy world would believe. Oh, yeah...
==============================
So now you're not interested in maximizing ER...
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Never was. The idea is pretty silly, since as you point out, one must bet
one's entire bankroll on a single hand when one has an advantage. But "pretty
silly" works fine for you, apparently, since you think other people might
actually consider it. Get real!
===========================
...and you're merely playing
MER strategy while being adequately bankrolled. One day you go out of
your way to make it really clear that maximizing ER is "your thing" and the
next you act like it was never much of a priority. Well, which is it?
-------------------------------------------------
Really good, Steve! You go on and on and on about claiming I said that I
want to maximize ER, when I never said or meant that. You can only claim I did
if you quote me out of context, as I mentioned earlier. I guess your talents
DO extend beyond mathematics!
===============================
You
don't seem to even understand your own objective, and you expect me
to believe that you understand alternate strategies "better than [Steve] can
possibly know"? Yeah, right.
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You keep repeating yourself on a point about which you are completely wrong.
Of course, you don't have much else.
===================================
Now I don't know if you're bipolar, or just really confused about what your
own play is trying to accomplish, or if you're just trying to amuse
yourself...
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No, to the first two, but there certainly is something to the amusement
factor!
===================================
...by playing mind games. But is doesn't much matter, because whichever
case applies, I clearly don't have the background to help you.
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Mind games can be fun!
Unwarranted assumption--that I need "help."
==================================
Your problem lies in a realm that is unrelated to mathematics.
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There you go making assumptions again! But in this case you are at least
partially correct. My "problem" is mostly with your attitude--your math is fine!
But speaking for myself, its real world applications are extremely limited.
And, just for the record, I was playing alternate strategies in VP
tournaments before I ever read anything by you. My total lifetime play in those
tournaments? Maybe three hours. And I got lucky and won one for $10,000 back in 2002
at the HR!
For many years now, you have gone on about alternate strategies, which are
goal-dependent. Got anything new? I'm sure that most people have decided by
now to either accept and adopt your ideas, or to reject them as inappropriate
for their own play. Plus, there is always the "confusion factor," as Jean
Scott pointed out. Many inexperienced players might think alternate strategies
are some kind of "quick fix" when they are in a losing streak playing MER
strategy. No quick fixes at video poker!
===================================
Your latest response is the classical ad hominem attack. Now I'm all
superior and condescending, and I exude ego and arrogance? Call
me all the names you want, it only proves that you're interested in
picking a fight rather than having a discussion. But thank you for
so clearly demonstrating your motives.
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Actually, I WOULD like to knock you off your high horse, so you've got me
there. But you have apparently applied Crazy Glue to the seat of your pants, so
I now see I am wasting my time. Except, of course, for the "fun factor" from
these wonderful exchanges! Most entertainment I've had here in quite some
time!
Carry on, Steve. I'm sure everyone will give your alternate strategies all
the consideration they are due! Really!
Brian
PS: I consider myself scathed! 
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