Well, I just finished watching a good match between Reachy and two others on the Bet21 freeroll. We had both made it to the 4th round with the 5th round qualifying for the October invite. One of us made and one of us didn’t – hmmmmmmm guess who? Congratulations Mate. During my commentary Reachy brought up some very interesting things for me to consider. We talked about Aruba and I have to admit I came away thrilled at meeting many of the faces that I’ve read. I learned a lot – thanks Harry, Ken and others. Hey Joep you still owe me that drink! What’s interesting about Aruba and playing EBJ in person versus online for me was vast. My online style was inappropriate for the play and players in Aruba. I won’t elaborate except to say that I was outplayed numerous times and self-destructive at times. My newest favorite expression was the Balashi Bet. At one table seat 1 on the first hand made a ½ max bet – totally out of character for this player (or so I was told). After the bet he picks up his Arubian beer – Balashi – and takes a sip. Another player asked his so was that you or the beer making the bet. He answered it was the Balashi! So now it’s known as a Balashi Bet! It was funnier in person – really. What happens when you think you’re doing pretty well – you’ve got the “paper wins” to back you up. Then you jump into the shark tank and reality hits you in the face? Is it better to get the cold water splashed on you or to live with the false reality? What’s better to be a big fish in a little puddle or a minnow in the ocean? I comfort myself with the knowledge that a koi fish will grow to the extent of the pond into which he is placed. Place a koi in a 5 foot pond and they will grow 6-10 inches but put them in an Olympic sized pool and they grow up to 2 feet! The problem with koi is that in their early stages birds pluck them out and eat them. Raccoons and other creatures do it too. Finally the small mouth bass and large mouth bass enjoy an occasional koi in their diet also. But under the right conditions with careful darting in and out of the lily pads the koi grow bigger and stronger. I guess Aruba was a great learning experience for me. It really was great and I encourage anyone here if you can do St. Kitts – Do it! Don’t worry about the rules they will change before you get there and if not before while you’re there. UBT is a work in progress but what a great thing. Now there were some people down there who didn’t like it – “I never get good cards in BJ” or “Its all just luck and I don’t have any” – but those opinions were in the minority. It was interesting to hear poker players seeing their comrades playing EBJ and being very expressive! I heard one guy saying I’ve need seen that person say anything and now……. The win by Aaron Tribble and 4th place accomplishment of Kitty should definitely fuel the LUCK vs. SKILL argument. As for myself I have my own opinion based on my PERSONAL observation. SKILL – this is critical when counting the chips and making the appropriate bets. I was eliminated in two sit-n-go’s by a single 500 chip. The first time I miscounted my opponents chips – they bet before me and I was a single chip off. The second time I bet first and my opponent bet such that they beat me by a single chip. Luck? Strictly skill in making the right bet. On another table I would have been safe had I just hit my 11 against a dealer 6. Instead I doubled down (I mean who wouldn’t do that in a casino right?) I got beat by the dealer making a hand and because of the extra chips I bet I was eliminated – table shocker because if I had just hit I would have advanced. I could continue to give you example of example where I saw skilled bets and chip counters in Aruba – so don’t say SKILL doesn’t count. LUCK – this is more the cards that come up. I saw numerous hands in which people had made skillful bets and if everything had worked the way it is supposed to in basic strategy the “skilled” better should have advanced. Then silly things like dealers drawing to 21 with a 6 showing, or dealers busting with a face showing occurred. I saw and played many “professional BJ players” while in Aruba. Most I didn’t know at the time but here’s a list of people that I PERSONALLY played against while there: Ken Smith, Kenny Eineger, Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, Kami, Hollywood Dave, Robert Williamson, Michael Castellana, Chuck Gorsen, Robert Blechman, and James Grosjean. There may have been other “pros” but as a newbie there were the only people I recognized via TV. To say that luck was the biggest factor is a slap in the face to anyone who has taken the time to study the game. Yes luck is certainly involved and necessary; nevertheless skill has, in my opinion, top bills in closer games. For example in games when the scores are 30,000 and under (very close to max bet) the skill becomes more critical. In games over 50,000 (double max bet) there is more luck than skill involved because the bets are much greater and the impact of BJ has a greater impact. People will believe what they will. For those who trumpet the luck camp just go to St. Kitts, make Balashi bets and enjoy your time at the final table! Don’t bother practicing because it doesn’t make any difference. For those, like myself, who believe that skill is a significant part, keep practicing and learning the little nuances of the game. Personally I’m going to take some down time and relax, go skydiving and ponder the wonders of the Universe again.
Nice post fgk. It was truly a pleasure to meet you in Aruba, and thanks for lunch. While your luck didn't come through as often as needed down there, you'll be back I'm sure, and I predict a major final table in your future.
Fred/Fgk I had the drink waiting for you on the bar, you never showed up Some young lady came by in a bikini and asked who's drink that was and I had no other choice but to tell her it was hers. All kidding aside it was a pleasure meeting you last week in Aruba and it was strange with all the tournaments that were played we never played against each other. That was me using my skill to avoid you :laugh: Joep
