Robert V. Lux: Interview with...

[Robert V. Lux]

...Bjat!

Bjat is the alias for the Chinese author of four blackjack books. He discusses blackjack on international forums, though he uses several aliases.

As usual, each interview contains twenty four questions. Though, the remaining twelve will be saved for my, hopefully, future blackjack-interview-book.

Enjoy!

Interview with Bjat

Q#1: For how long have you been playing blackjack?

I have been playing blackjack for 13 years (11 years full time).

Q#2: Why did start playing the game?

Korean casinos offered generous junket programs that would rebate $2,100 for players who would play 12 hours at $400 minimum on blackjack or baccarat. I learned basic strategy from "Beat the Dealer", the only gambling book I had at that time. Believing a basic strategy player would only lose less than $1,000 (at the good rules of S17, 4D, ES10) under casino requirements, I organized my friends to go to the free holiday. They would play under my supervision and on my bankroll. I took more than $1 million from 15 casinos (Korea, Philippine, and Singapore cruises). Casinos closed junket program for blackjack players and barred me after 3 years. I bought "The World Greatest Blackjack book" at Manila and learned Hi-Opt I later.

Q#3: What do you consider your strongest area in blackjack and why?

I take risks gambling at remote and less sophisticated gaming destinations. I lived at Moscow one year playing, for example.

Q#4: When and why did you begin writing books on blackjack?

After playing full time for three years and being barred by Korean and Philippine casinos, I started writing a gambling column for a Taiwan magazine as I like writing and consider the things I did to be interesting. The books came with combined columns.

Q#5: Who do you consider the ?greatest? blackjack player or author, ever existed? Explain why.

I like Wong and Ian Anderson. I played together with MIT's Johnny Chang and Mark Dace, they are great players.

Q#6: Bad treatment of skilled blackjack players has been a problem for a long time. Harassments, insulting, personal interferers, etc., do regularly occur in the casino environment. Have you ever been a victim of such incident? If so, what was your impression on this? How did you react? Any general ideas on how to eliminate such behaviour?

I was brought to security office at a Manila casino where they took my picture. Five security guards circled around me afterwards, asking me to teach them how to beat the game. Taking money across custom was most annoying. I was not give declaration invoice when entered Nepal after declaration my money. They caught me when I left the country. I was jailed without bail, fought my case for 76 days. I had 70 bug bites after first 3 days' at custody.

Q#7: You are the author of four Chinese blackjack books. What do these books cover? What level do they represent?

There are not many Chinese gambling books as major Chinese countries (China before Macau, Taiwan, Singapore) do not have legal casinos. My 4 books were all on blackjack and trip reports on gaming, sight seeing, and my observations of local players.

Q#8: China is not famous for being a gambling culture. Do you believe your nation will ever obtain a considerable gambling status, such as Japan?

Time or Newsweek once described Taiwan as Republic of Casino (RoC... China). Taiwanese junket players exceeded Japanese at Korean casinos which situated in-between. China will surpass Japan easily with accumulation of wealth.

Q#9: As an Asian, do you prefer to play in Asia and Australia, or do you travel around the world constantly seeking new profitable games?

I have played more than 30 gambling destinations all over the world so far, I intend to go to as many as possible.

Q#10: Culture and religion are two important factors regarding gambling. Some societies and religious convictions strongly oppose to gambling. As far as I am concerned, gambling is, according to Buddhism, only allowed at funerals. What do your family, friends and close people think of your blackjack career?

My father, for whom I care the most, didn?t speak to me for a year when I became a full time blackjack player. Many of my friends found my work interesting.

Q#11: Do you feel that your blackjack career has been somewhat restricted because of your roots, religious believes, Chinese morality, etc.?

Chinese care more about social status. My father's attitude affected me more in becoming a pro gambler and in considering of switching back to normal life.

Q#12: What part of the world do you consider offers the best blackjack games (country, continent, etc.)?

Russia offers the best gaming condition for small to medium players. ESA, ES10, and Joker are offered there now.

/Robert V. Lux

[Sun Runner]

> Q#10: .... As far as I am concerned, gambling
> is, according to Buddhism, only allowed at
> funerals.

I am curious, did Q#10 represents your personal feeling abut gambling or are you expressing your understanding of Buddhism?

And I suppose, add'lly, do you consider advantage BJ to be gambling?

Enjoy your interviews; looking forward to seeing the other "twelve."

SR

[Kevin Blackwood]

Good subject to interview there Robert.

I was associated for a while with the individual I believe to be the most successful hole card player of all time. He grew up in Hong Kong and shared similar views about the stigma of gambling in his family and culture. I profiled him in my book, although I changed his nationality.

> I am curious, did Q#10 represents your
> personal feeling abut gambling or are you
> expressing your understanding of Buddhism?

> And I suppose, add'lly, do you consider
> advantage BJ to be gambling?

> Enjoy your interviews; looking forward to
> seeing the other "twelve."

> SR

http://www.kevinblackwood.com

[Robert V. Lux]

> I am curious, did Q#10 represents your
> personal feeling abut gambling or are you
> expressing your understanding of Buddhism?

I don't get what you mean by saying "personal feelings" about gambling. This is pure fact about Buddhism. I have read that gambling is, according to the relegion, only allowed at funerals.

> And I suppose, add'lly, do you consider
> advantage BJ to be gambling?

I am not refering to blackjack, but all casino games.

> Enjoy your interviews; looking forward to
> seeing the other "twelve."

Thank you. I hope I will get enough interesting interview to fill the gap.

Regards, Robert V. Lux

[Brick]

One who specializes in hole card play must live a very boring life. The last hole card I seen was about 36,000 hands ago, got a lucky peek when the dealer was figiding.

Brick

> Good subject to interview there Robert.

> I was associated for a while with the
> individual I believe to be the most
> successful hole card player of all time. He
> grew up in Hong Kong and shared similar
> views about the stigma of gambling in his
> family and culture. I profiled him in my
> book, although I changed his nationality.

[Bjat]

There are plenty of hole card opportunities, if you don't know, I will not tell you, think harder.