Norm Wattenberger: Avoiding paranoia

[Norm Wattenberger]

I was sitting at a bar at 49th and Lex a couple hours ago when half the customers ran out in the street. One came back and said there was thick, black smoke in the air. That means a transformer fire. I assumed the people that left were tourists and ordered another wine. No charge as half the customers were standing in the now closed street I left about 40 minutes later. The street was closed to allow emergency vehicle access. The explosion was at 41st and Lex. Scores of people in the street holding up their cell phones with cameras ? looked kind of like a rock concert. I was happy I hadn?t gone to the post office two blocks from the fire as I had originally planned. Laziness sometimes works.

I walked toward home. One block east to Third Ave and everything was completely normal. As if nothing was different. Getting home I heard CNN?s Wolf Blitzer over-blowing the situation as he always does. I switched to Channel One, the NY 24hour news channel. They were more circumspect.

Dramatic shift. Just yesterday a horrific plane crash occurred at Sao Paolo?s commuter airport. I?ve used that airport in the past and have told stories many times about its ridiculous runways and have predicted disasters

My point? If you hang around areas of large populace; you will witness unnerving situations. But, you are one of very many. This is not a cause for paranoia. This applies to casinos as well. When I first played in Vegas I had no understanding of the fact that casinos knew about and looked for counters. I got barred a lot. When I did learn about cover; I stopped getting barred ? but I stopped making money. I overreacted. I now read stories of first-time red-chip players that think every other person is staring at them. As with most everything else; moderation is useful.

So as is true with most situations, casino or flashing red lights ? there is nothing to see here ? move on.

[Blackjack Knight]

> I was sitting at a bar at 49th and Lex a couple hours
> ago when half the customers ran out in the street. One
> came back and said there was thick, black smoke in the
> air. That means a transformer fire. I assumed the
> people that left were tourists and ordered another
> wine. No charge as half the customers were standing in
> the now closed street I left about 40 minutes later.
> The street was closed to allow emergency vehicle
> access. The explosion was at 41st and Lex. Scores of
> people in the street holding up their cell phones with
> cameras – looked kind of like a rock concert. I was
> happy I hadn’t gone to the post office two blocks from
> the fire as I had originally planned. Laziness
> sometimes works.

> I walked toward home. One block east to Third Ave and
> everything was completely normal. As if nothing was
> different. Getting home I heard CNN’s Wolf Blitzer
> over-blowing the situation as he always does. I
> switched to Channel One, the NY 24hour news channel.
> They were more circumspect.

> Dramatic shift. Just yesterday a horrific plane crash
> occurred at Sao Paolo’s commuter airport. I’ve used
> that airport in the past and have told stories many
> times about its ridiculous runways and have predicted
> disasters

> My point? If you hang around areas of large populace;
> you will witness unnerving situations. But, you are
> one of very many. This is not a cause for paranoia.
> This applies to casinos as well. When I first played
> in Vegas I had no understanding of the fact that
> casinos knew about and looked for counters. I got
> barred a lot. When I did learn about cover; I stopped
> getting barred – but I stopped making money. I
> overreacted. I now read stories of first-time red-chip
> players that think every other person is staring at
> them. As with most everything else; moderation is
> useful.

> So as is true with most situations, casino or flashing
> red lights – there is nothing to see here – move on.

Please tell us about your trip to Brazil? Have you been to any other countries in central or south america?

[Norm Wattenberger]

Yes, but that trip wasn't BJ related.

> Please tell us about your trip to Brazil? Have you
> been to any other countries in central or south
> america?

[Karl Kruse]

> Yes, but that trip wasn't BJ related.
So you think that there isn't money to be made at the casinos?

[Norm Wattenberger]

Heavens, where did I say that?

> So you think that there isn't money to be made at the
> casinos?