An Open Letter to KJ

**Three** · 09-10-2015, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by KJ

My view, which is the minority in the overall community of professional AP's, yet ironically shared by those here, is based on my own situation more than anything else. I don't play the high levels that many other professional players do, I am a grinder type with many more opportunities. I can afford to just move along to the next opportunity and that fits more with my personal attitude (upbringing) of being courteous. I don't have to put it into the 'cut throat' realm of higher stakes professional play.

When you get into cutthroat tactics you can get the serious short end of the stick. You never know who you are messing over or what they are capable of. I grew up with very successful adults all around me and saw the way people who played cutthroat ended up getting their own throat cut eventually. Those that didn't may not have been quite as successful but they chose to draw a line in the sand when what they earned was enough. Comparing the 2 it was no brainer as to which to emulate. You either chose the asshole that looked wise until what goes around came back to ruin him or the guy that set his ceiling where he was comfortable with and lived the fat life with a long list of powerful people that would do the hardball for him if anyone of the assholes messed with him. The asshole had no time for anyone in his life unless he had an angle and that included family. The guy content to have a great life and not seek anything more had it all. Family, security and a long list of people to back him up when he needed it. It was obvious one was a loser in life and one was a winner and you could see who people were deep down by who they tried to emulate. For me it was a no brainer. One way was a plus EV for life and the other way satisfied greed but was a huge negative EV for life.

**fjrider** · 09-10-2015, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

Ahh, ZF has sussed it. Ken and Norm are aliases of one another. We're still trying to determine who's whom.

Duh. Who is on first.

**Tbonz** · 09-10-2015, 12:45 PM

I believe some of the posters that have been around a while will remember the likes of Stalker and his hole carding crew, JG's disdain for counters, and various other teams trying to make a living. AP blackjack can be played by gentlemen, but many times in a less then gentlemanly fashion. I never saw anyone as my enemy, not even the casino, I saw it as a job....or business. I didn't think it was my place to stand on any moral high ground and preach how evil the casinos were taking poor drunk unskilled player's money, nor did I feel the need to conceed my place in a casino to any other AP. Sometimes it worked out, and sometimes it didn't, no reason to worry about it. Emotional people are easily manipulated into showing their hand, I'd rather someone have to try and take something from me than me willingly give it up if its something I value.

**ZenMaster_Flash** · 09-10-2015, 12:56 PM

Tbonz,

I never said a single word insulting, demeaning, or degrading you.

While the thread is closed to posting, it can still be read.

I am frequently impatient and abrasive. Those are character flaws. However,

All I did was concur with a poster as to his remarks re: AP comportment.

**Tbonz** · 09-10-2015, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by ZenMaster_Flash

Tbonz,

I never said a single word insulting, demeaning, or degrading you.

While the thread is closed to posting, it can still be read.

I am frequently impatient and abrasive. Those are character flaws. However,

All I did was concur with a poster as to his remarks re: AP comportment.

No worries, I'm not the least bit concerned about it. I am not impatient, nor abrasive.

**Three** · 09-10-2015, 01:24 PM

Tbonz, your demeanor reminds me of me. Not seeking out a battle but making sure you finish it when one can't be avoided. I have played with other counters at the table. I find it interesting how we don't actually raise our bets in unison. I leave a little quicker when it is time to leave anyway but I wait for an appropriate exit point. There are lots of other tables and if I get a stalker I have no problem getting rid of them. Most situations can be dealt with in a classy way but sometimes the person just begs to be treated the with the same lack of respect he shows others. My wrath is rarely riled as there are almost always better ways to deal with a situation but when it is you don't want to be on the receiving end of it. When it comes to brains, brawn, nerve or keeping a cool head I am hard to beat. Usually winning requires a number of these things ay the same time which is a combination that is rarely found. Emotions are the enemy of winning.

**Freightman** · 09-10-2015, 01:48 PM

I

Originally Posted by KJ

OH PLEASE!

Freightman quoted the Tbonz post in his response post and in the very next post you complimented Freightman and concurred, and then expanded into your attack. Don't play me or anyone else for being stupid Flash.

Norm, it may not have been a 'direct attack', meaning he didn't put the posters name in there, but that's a technicality. The intent was crystal clear. Let's not play 'stupid' here. All of the sudden this site, made up of smart people is going to play stupid.

And BTW Flash, how is saying that I find a post unnecessary and inappropriate attacking you?

You really need to loosen your shorts, and let's not mince, since you don't seem to mind mincing - seems to me that you're picking your spots to place your misguided umbrage. As for Tbonz, who you've characterized a a first rate pro - based on his responses, it would seem that your assessment is a fair and correct one - and as I mentioned previously, if aggrieved, he most certainly would have responded. It would further seem, based on his response, that he was not at all bothered by my comments.

Now, since you are so inflamed regarding protecting the strong, why not divert some of that energy to protecting the weak, those who could really use the support.

**Three** · 09-10-2015, 01:56 PM

Well I appreciate KJ pointing out that Tbonz has a wealth of quality experience to share. Now I know something I didn't that will definitely be of a help in the future.

**metronome** · 09-10-2015, 02:35 PM

Hell, I'm excited to see a post from Sonny.
If all you folks would realize how valuable your individual and varied insights & skills are re: Blackjack to such a low level AP wannabe like myself and I'm sure many others, perhaps ya'll could all lighten up. That is lighten up on each other....
Life really is short

**JPhoenixX** · 09-10-2015, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by metronome

Hell, I'm excited to see a post from Sonny.
If all you folks would realize how valuable your individual and varied insights & skills are re: Blackjack to such a low level AP wannabe like myself and I'm sure many others, perhaps ya'll could all lighten up. That is lighten up on each other....
Life really is short

I agree 100% this has kind of been like watching your parents fight.

I have a lot more to learn even when the big dogs don't agree on something it's still a wealth of knowledge for us beginners.

**Norm** · 09-10-2015, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by JPhoenixX

I agree 100% this has kind of been like watching your parents fight.

Well put.

**ZenKinG** · 09-11-2015, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Norm

If someone notices a sudden spike in posts marked unhelpful for no particular reason, I can examine them to see if it is someone being a jerk and mass marking posts. Just don't make such requests unless it is an obvious case as it's a pain to investigate.

wow if that's the case, go look at my posts for the last 12 months, someone or multiple people have been giving me unhelpful ratings nonstop for every single time i posted even when it was a helpful post. Go look into it Norm. My ratings have been destroyed due to idiots on this forum.