OCD: beginner bruises

[Parker]

> Nice post Parker.

> I think the place where most counters go
> wrong is in game selection. Players get too
> frustrated with the work involved in finding
> good games, and thus decide that playing a
> bad game is better than playing none at all.

> The discipline to only play quality games is
> the most important ingredient to success in
> this endeavour.

I am amazed at the number of posts and e-mails I see along the lines of "What's the best way to beat the 6D, H17, no sur, 2 decks cut off game at XYZ casino? I know it's a lousy game, but it's the only casino close to me."

Reminds me of the old joke about a bar with a roulette wheel in the back room. A guy was lamenting to his friend that he had lost all his money on this game. "Why do you play that game?" the friend asked. "You know that wheel is rigged!"

"Yeah, I know," was the reply. "But it's the only game in town."

I see a similar mentality here. There is no reason for it, since there are now casinos all over the USA and most of the rest of the world. Nearly everyone is within a few hours drive or a plane flight to a gambling center somewhere.

Rather than slowly losing at some unbeatable local game, far better to save up for an occasional weekend getaway to Las Vegas, Tunica, Biloxi, etc.

[Hal Jordan]

Ploppies will always play the poor games, but I really hate to hear that the informed still pursue poor games.

I always feel good knowing that I am playing a quality game. If I lose money playing the way I should, then there can be no lamenting. I would feel horrible losing money at a losing game, so I never play that way.

HJ

P.S. I am looking forward to adding your book to my library.