What makes a true AP?

[Norm]

I wanted to start a thread on this subject as I think too many people believe it is a simple question when it is anything but. There are many obvious answers. I want to start with less than common answers. Folks are welcome to add answers of any type.

Ignoring the obvious, here are a few to start:

1. Engender relationships with useful folks despite their positions. Jesuit Baltasar Gracián wrote: “A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.” What I am saying is that spurning relationships, discussions, information, from folks, across some line, that can be useful simply makes no sense.
2. Avoid paranoia. In Henry VI, Shakespeare wrote: “For every cloud engenders not a storm.” Obviously one must be watchful of heat. But, keep a balance. The PB on the phone may be just trying to look busy. A poster you don’t like may not be Sheldon Adelson.
3. Know your faults. We all have faults. Samuel Beckett said: “There's man all over for you, blaming on his boots the fault of his feet.” We need to do more than recognize our faults. We must accept them, refuse to assign blame, and look forward.
4. Control your attack. Kerouac wrote: “My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” APs tend to be passionate folk. Sometimes we are tempted to let our passions get the better of us.
5. Never indulge in hate. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” I’m not saying you have to love your enemies. But, hate is an incredible waste of time and energy. It gains you nothing. It just sucks you dry. It is an indulgence in self-pity.
6. Understand your enemy, and to sum it up, a 2,500 year old quote from Sun Tzu. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

[Villiam]

I would have to go with steel balls. Putting down large sums in repeated low-edge scenarios creates crazy results and fluctuations. So being able to do the right thing every time and accept the results might be both the simplest and hardest thing to do.

[ZeeBabar]

1-6 have nothing to do with being an AP, they are just generalizations that can be applied to most anything and I am impressed with your knowledge of those but some might think you are showing off.

[Norm]

That's exactly why I said these are a start. Advantage play is not an easy ride. And many of those that strive toward that goal appear, to me, to miss some of these "generalizations". But, thank you for your useful comment.

[Banker]

I have to agree with Zeebar. 1-6 and more similar wisdoms can be found in most office cubicles around the country. I think AP is the one who constantly is looking for an edge to exploit and able to do so (within the constraints of the legal and ethical codes of course) in multiple paradigms. For example, in casino play, stock market, etc..

[Villiam]

That's exactly why I said these are a start. Advantage play is not an easy ride. And many of those that strive toward that goal appear, to me, to miss some of these "generalizations". But, thank you for your useful comment.

In fact, I believe, however simple they are, that willful denial of ANY of those 1-6 has killed many advantage players in the long run, thus making them "untrue" APs.

Nice post. I like how it started quite outside of the box. Maybe we'll get some more unique answers...

[Ryemo]

Seeing opportunities where others don't. Whether it's in a casino, business, or life in general.

[Norm]

Seeing opportunities where others don't. Whether it's in a casino, business, or life in general.

The true meaning of CAA, in somewhat fewer words.

[Boz]

I never thought I'd say this, but I think Zeebabar has a point.

[Villiam]

Really Boz? You're "impressed with [his] knowledge of those but some might think [he's] showing off?" Didn't think you'd give nearly that much credit.

[BJPloppy]

A desire to poke a stick in the eye of systems and structures that are in place to hold us down/back.
"I am not a number, I am a free man."

[Boz]

Really Boz? You're "impressed with [his] knowledge of those but some might think [he's] showing off?" Didn't think you'd give nearly that much credit.

That was mostly a gratuitous compliment cancelled out by a gratuitous insult. That part was kinda meaningless, mostly the first part of the statement.

[Freightman]

1-6 have nothing to do with being an AP, they are just generalizations that can be applied to most anything and I am impressed with your knowledge of those but some might think you are showing off.

They have everything to do with a true AP. Essentially, learn as much as possible about your adversary and use that knowledge to plan your strategy - theoretical, practical and psychological. Villiam adds the good notation of steel balls. Now, assuming you have prepared your game plan as noted by Norm, are able to execute your arsenal with maximum effctiveness, then you will be a formidable warrior, engaging in a fluid exchange of recreational commerce.

The last comment implies your persona or demeanour - your true intention being to kick their ass.keep in mnd that kicking their ass means that you are going to get your ass kicked in return.