Number of APs – Part II

[Norm]

OK, expanding on Part I. In this poll, sports, Poker, pool, Gin, the track, Backgammon, most any activity where gambling is common, are included. Play is not limited to casinos, but can be books, tracks, even private games (not penny-ante). (Financial markets excluded.) Also, all players in the last 40 years are included. So:

Part II

Since we will never agree on the definition of “pro”, I won’t use it. For this poll, the following rules apply:

• Basically, any game/sport where gambling is common is inlcuded.
• An AP must play with an edge.
• The player must have played with an edge for at least 500 hours.
• The 500 hours can be over any period of time, 3 months, 40 years, doesn’t matter.
• The player does not need to depend on his play to live.
• The player must have played in the last 40 years.
• Play can be anywhere in the world.

Basically, this poll is about people that can beat casinos – not that make a living at it.

[Freightman]

Haven't got a clue. I used to play rubber bridge for money - that was a long time ago, and I had an edge. Im thinking of taking it up again, though the ring rust is enormous, and I would be the fish for awhile. I'm good at chess,but not good enough to play for money.

I'm sure there are competent pros, semi pros in dozens of endeavours not found in a casino setting.

[Tarzan]

This is like trying to estimate the average size of a unicorn penis according to this definition because it could be a relatively large number. Examining the Drake equation for extraterrestrial life may be only slightly more difficult than coming up with an accurate guess on this!Hahaha My best guess could be way off.

[Dieter]

The player does not need to depend on his play to live.

That's ambiguously worded.

This line and the 500+ hours restriction would seem to limit the field.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

moses,

"Tarzan, has Flash ever examined you? I'd bet you'd be a real study. That's friggin hilarious...I don't who you are!"

Tarzan is such a unique (probationary) member of the human race that there are no valid measures to evaluate him.

However . . .

a detailed examination of his eponymous Tarzan Count; determined it to be the sine qua non of expert Blackjack play.

[Blitzkrieg]

Playing pool for money you have to feed your opponents hard liquor or plenty of beer to have an edge. In spades partners can collude amongst one another. In poker, players need to look for weak dealers, giving a flash. In an individual game like hearts, newer players will tend to pass off their high cards. I once shot the moon 3 out of 4 hands playing against some buddies and they dubbed me the King of Hearts. Depending on the make up of my cards and determining what 3 cards I receive from my opponent I can tell how they may play their hand and if there is a chance to shoot the moon. Also in spades and in hearts you can look at how people set up their hands to get an idea of how their setting their hands according to suits.

[biggg]

I talked to two poker players who make a legit living from poker. I mentioned to them a couple casinos where the dealers flash at poker. They had never even thought to look for that! At least now they'll watch for it.

[biggg]

Since poker counts over 250k easily. Otherwise I'd easy 50-250k

[Blitzkrieg]

I talked to two poker players who make a legit living from poker. I mentioned to them a couple casinos where the dealers flash at poker. They had never even thought to look for that! At least now they'll watch for it.

I have never seen a poker dealer give up a peek into a deck in a live cash game in a casino. In private home games it's a different story, most people that I see gambling in home games simply don't know how to shuffle the cards without giving up a peek into the deck.

[Norm]

I expected a large range of answers to this. But not this wide. Of course, there's no way to know.