Bob Dancer LasVegasAdvisor 10-6-2015 Article

[Tedlark]

Phil to be fair to Bob and what you wrote in your second sentence: Do these same people send Bob a share of their profits if they win?

[Vman96]

It was probably a response to one of my posts.   What bothers me about Bob Dancer is he is profiting from the potential misfortunes of others. His books, shows and posts are all designed to legitimize gambling as a profession.   His claims may be true, but I can't imagine all the pain and suffering that has and is being caused to people trying to duplicate his reported results.  I think it is the responsibility of any business person who sells products and services to the public to consider whether it is ethical and prudent to do so.  His well worded disclaimer that "Most people won't be able to do what he does" falls on deaf ears to those who are most vulnerable.  If you chose this profession for yourself fine, but promoting gambling to the public as a career is wrong and anyone who doesn't think this is a problem is lying to the mirror.   Real careers are based on helping and serving others.  Professional gambling does nothing to advance society or help anyone except the gambler himself.  Helping recreational players play the best games, play longer or have more fun is a good thing.  Promoting gambling as a career is not.


But why don't you repeatedly have the same disclaimer that I bolded for your cheap system? The odds of you being profitable on it are likely below 1% if you believe machines are random like I do. I'm happy that you (and maybe wildman49) are possible exceptions to this expectation, but you definitely talk up your "cheap system" almost as much as Bob does for AP play, imo. But Bob's suggestion can be backed up by math assuming casinos follow the letter of the law. If Bob thinks he does not earn value in a scenario from playing VP, he simply doesn't play. That's difficult for VP lovers to do, but he truly thinks VP as a job. Your method doesn't suggest any of this.

If you promote your method as a way to lose less money long term because you reduce your overall coin-in, then fine. But at times, your way with words (similar to Bob) makes it sound like it's a winning idea, imo. And if VP machines behave like they are legally supposed to, this is horribly wrong.

[Vman96]

P.S. I wouldn't be using the phrase "if VP machines behave like they are legally supposed to" unless I was on this forum. The other two forums I mostly post on, they are assumed to be random. sigh

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Vman96]If you promote your method as a way to lose less money long term because
you reduce your overall coin-in, then fine. But at times, your way
with words (similar to Bob) makes it sound like it's a winning idea,
imo.[/quote]Let's straighten this out once and for all. The Cheap Strategy is a financially better way to play overall negative expectation video poker games.  It is a proven fact that playing single coin on a negative game is mathematically and financially better long term than playing max coins.  This is true because you lose less per hour.  The only reason we switch to max coins after a 4 coin or more win is to randomly retain the possibility of a max coin jackpot which keeps the game exciting.   Most video poker players would be better off financially if they adopted this strategy long term.   I have never said anyone could make a living playing Cheap Strategy.  The fact that I have made a small profit over the last few years playing this way is inconsequential.Over the past 8 years casinos have consistently reduced the odds and comps on video poker games.   Unfortunately, most players have not changed their strategy.  This leads to more loses, less hand pays, thoughts of rigged machines and talk of "dud" hands" and "dead machines".   There is nothing amiss about today's video poker machines, the problem is players have not adopted strategy changes to counter the casino's odds and comp reductions.  Positive opportunities are dwindling and the option of making a living playing video poker alone is for all intents and purposes over.  There may still be an occasional positive situation, but the good times are gone for most players.I created the Cheap Strategy because my losses climbed so dramatically over this time period that I finally had enough and did something about it.  The time for something new is here.  You may not agree that my strategy is right for you, but I suspect playing the Dancer way is not working for you either.  You can sit there and watch your video poker bankroll dwindle to nothing or you can change the way you play.  It's your choice...

[FAA]

I created the Cheap Strategy because my losses climbed so
dramatically over this time period that I finally had enough and did
something about it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You're like Peter Finch in Network! We can crusade or capitulate.

[FloridaPhil]

I'm not the kind of person to ignore a problem or have someone tell me it doesn't exist just because he says so.  If you want to play video poker these days you must decide how much you are willing to pay to play.  I wish all the professional video poker players in the world lots of good luck.  They're going to need it... 

[FAA]

I totally agree with CS, just have to master the associated discipline. I'd rather keep my powder dry and make a quick attack ten percent of the time than crawl away in ruin. This is likely even maxing  on full pay JOB, which I've never done and do not intend to try. I've enjoyed the DW phone app lately and am closer to crossing over.

[EDC1977]

I've always played max coins when playing VP. I have had some good trips and many bombs as well. I try to walk away at least even. I've never played nor will ever try a martingale system. Playing single coin at higher denoms would probably work however I have yet to experiment. I'd have to study many hours trying Phil's system as he probably has already to perfect his strategy. I won't criticize anyone for trying to minimize their casino losses. Win/loss stop limits have both positive and negative results. I only go for recreation and to hopefully win. I wish y'all luck and some jackpots along the way. Practice your play strategy to help cut your losses. Casinos have enough people donating to their cause.

[wildman49]

I'm happy that you (and maybe wildman49) are possible exceptions to this expectation, I don't have a problem with one  play at max bet I hope you can make it work and keep your losses within your amount you have to play on for a 12 month time frame. For me 2014 was a 4% losing year. This year  I am near even for the year and that is more money in my pocket. I owe it all to cheap systems. The only problem I have is the non believers say it don't or can't work. Don't knock something if you have not tried it or give it a good run.I think there are a lot of VP players out there that don't keep good records and don't know how deep in the hole they are. Also there are many who are just not honest with them self as to there amount of loss. Your not going to beat the casino, not gonna happen, you can train, play the best games and at best break even, don't kid yourself VP is not a winning game unless you can add free play, gas and food vouchers, drawing winnings and only then one can say they beat the casino for that year here in the Midwest.

[mulleon]

I read this article and several of his books. I don't think Bob is trying to get anyone to become a professional gambler. His books and articles are telling you ways to be more profitable and lose less money.

Most people think being a professional gambler would be fun. I believe it is the opposite of it. It's like working at a club everyone around you is having fun drinking and partying but you are working. I have to play this many hands during these hours. You can't just play when you want to their has to be a reason to play (a good promotion that makes it profitable)not many machines pay out over 100%. Sounds a lot like a job to me.

I use what I read by Bob and others as educational use what I want to make my game better. I like to gamble whether it be sports, cards, dice, or whatever. I know I'm not going to walk into a casino 5 days a week to play video poker and not stop by a craps or blackjack table and play sometimes. Because I like to play those games too. I know I am going to be a loser at those over the long run, but I play them anyway. Oh and there are books on those games too that people claim to beat the house and I believe they do but I have not dedicated that much of my life to mastering them.

I don't know Bob but I believe he would walk by those same craps and blackjack tables that I stop at because he has that discipline. Which makes him different than most people and it works for him.

If anything I have learned that I do not want to be a professional gambler. I play for fun in hopes of winning a little. I'll drink a few free beers while playing before having an overpriced comped meal in the steak house and later head back to my free room.