Overheard at Work

[jinga nation]

Overheard at work:

Multiple coworkers have said to me, "Oooh you're a doctor's wife now! He'll have to buy you some nice jewellery, a nice big rock... Etc."

I never anticipated being defined in this away by my husband's career. Apparently there is a whole way a doctor's wife is supposed to live, act, dress...

*facepalm*

When I find myself in a group of expat ladies, the first question they usually ask is, "so, tell us, what does your husband do?"

Even as I answer, the whole time I'm thinking, 'why is this even relevant?  He's not ever here!  However I'm here so how about you ask me to tell you about me?'

Yeah - it's the whole defined by SO's career thing.  I know just how that feels now.

I can't speak for Western cultures, but in many Asian and African cultures, a woman is defined by her husband's profession, especially in the upper/uppity class. I learnt this in Anthropology class and in the last 16 years in the USA, have seen it firsthand.
Within my family, my aunt is defined as a Gastro-doc's wife within her Indian circle of friends. My sister-in-law (Vietnamese) is defined as a Oral Surgeon's (with MD/DDS degrees) wife, even though she is a dentist. One cousin is a MD and his wife (HongKongese) is a pediatrician, yet she is a doctor's wife.
On the flip side, my parents are working class so my mother doesn't get labeled. Neither does my wife (CPA) even though she's married to Mr. thrifty engineer (your's truly).
My grandparents' generation would frequently tell unmarried girls to choose wisely by saying "You are who you marry" and "You are defined by the family you marry into".

[AgileTurtle]

LOL - We are actually in the camp of throwing stuff out instead of moving it.  Just the rental fees of the truck and gas expense is  worth way more than the old bachelor furniture we currently have.

How do you get diffrent stuff to the new place then without moving it? You toss out your old stuff. You get to the new place now what?

The plan is to take out a very high interest loan and buy a bunch of stuff for the new house from the highest end stores in town.  Then I will make the minimum payments on that high interest loan.  I will delay buying this stuff  for months though so that we can eat out at restarants every day instead of utizing our kitchen.

This is stupid.  I suggest rent-to-own instead.

Why the hell would you do that?? You'll get repo'd on a rent-to-own once you default! When I default on the credit card it just goes to stupid collections and I get to keep the stuff.

I just rent-to-own.  Then when I have to move for non-payment of rent I don't need to move all that crap.  I just stop paying and let them repo it.  Moving problem solved!

A truly top down integrated approach.  I like it. Also with a new address a new cable package. Why yes, I would like ALL the channels on all 4 TVs, put those HD 3D DVR no wire high output HDMI TV to good use.

[ketchup]

LOL - We are actually in the camp of throwing stuff out instead of moving it.  Just the rental fees of the truck and gas expense is  worth way more than the old bachelor furniture we currently have.

How do you get diffrent stuff to the new place then without moving it? You toss out your old stuff. You get to the new place now what?

The plan is to take out a very high interest loan and buy a bunch of stuff for the new house from the highest end stores in town.  Then I will make the minimum payments on that high interest loan.  I will delay buying this stuff  for months though so that we can eat out at restarants every day instead of utizing our kitchen.

This is stupid.  I suggest rent-to-own instead.

Why the hell would you do that?? You'll get repo'd on a rent-to-own once you default! When I default on the credit card it just goes to stupid collections and I get to keep the stuff.

I just rent-to-own.  Then when I have to move for non-payment of rent I don't need to move all that crap.  I just stop paying and let them repo it.  Moving problem solved!

A truly top down integrated approach.  I like it. Also with a new address a new cable package. Why yes, I would like ALL the channels on all 4 TVs, put those HD 3D DVR no wire high output HDMI TV to good use.

The TVs of course all need the best HDMI cables money can buy: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Digital-Audio-Ethernet-Connection/dp/B003CT2A6I/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[sneeria]

The reviews are priceless! !

[Pooperman]

100 Pages! Foamy Celebration!

Almost 750,000 views (I could FIRE on that!)

[senecando]

What a time to be alive.

[galliver]

LOL - We are actually in the camp of throwing stuff out instead of moving it.  Just the rental fees of the truck and gas expense is  worth way more than the old bachelor furniture we currently have.

How do you get diffrent stuff to the new place then without moving it? You toss out your old stuff. You get to the new place now what?

The plan is to take out a very high interest loan and buy a bunch of stuff for the new house from the highest end stores in town.  Then I will make the minimum payments on that high interest loan.  I will delay buying this stuff  for months though so that we can eat out at restarants every day instead of utizing our kitchen.

This is stupid.  I suggest rent-to-own instead.

Why the hell would you do that?? You'll get repo'd on a rent-to-own once you default! When I default on the credit card it just goes to stupid collections and I get to keep the stuff.

I just rent-to-own.  Then when I have to move for non-payment of rent I don't need to move all that crap.  I just stop paying and let them repo it.  Moving problem solved!

A truly top down integrated approach.  I like it. Also with a new address a new cable package. Why yes, I would like ALL the channels on all 4 TVs, put those HD 3D DVR no wire high output HDMI TV to good use.

The TVs of course all need the best HDMI cables money can buy: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Digital-Audio-Ethernet-Connection/dp/B003CT2A6I/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

You all need to take a break from reading this thread. It is clearly seeping into your consciousness. ;) (j/k)

[LennStar]

It is possible to not lose money at the casino (or even come out ahead) on average if you don't play the wrong games and take advantage of promotional deals. See Casino Gambling for Dummies. I don't recommend gambling in general, but if you are going to do it on occasion then it's best to be informed.

If i remember correctly (never gamble, hope I do not confuse the names lol) Black Jack is the only casino game where the bank is in disadvantage bc the dealer has to make a move. There are certain techniques to use this - and if you use them and win, you get thrown out ;)

[Melody]

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

[RWD]

It is possible to not lose money at the casino (or even come out ahead) on average if you don't play the wrong games and take advantage of promotional deals. See Casino Gambling for Dummies. I don't recommend gambling in general, but if you are going to do it on occasion then it's best to be informed.

If i remember correctly (never gamble, hope I do not confuse the names lol) Black Jack is the only casino game where the bank is in disadvantage bc the dealer has to make a move. There are certain techniques to use this - and if you use them and win, you get thrown out ;)

Depending on the rule set you can have a slight edge in Black Jack by counting cards. Casinos love people who think they can count cards because most of them either can't or will blow their winnings on something else. Though if you are a serious and successful card counter and the casino figures it out they can ask you to leave (casinos are private property).

There are a decent number of games that with proper strategy you can keep your losses to a minimum. Combine that with getting comp'd (casino pays for your room and/or meals) or other promotions (e.g. join our club and get $200 in free money) and you can break even or make a small profit. That said, I hate casinos and would never recommend gambling. Just if you're going to do it anyway you might as well do it right.

I know the author of the book I linked personally which is why I know as much as I do about gambling. He is actually fairly Mustachian. He bikes around town, doesn't buy much consumerism junk, buys things in bulk when they are on sale, etc. He made most his money counting cards in Black Jack. At one point he had been kicked out of every casino in Las Vegas. He also dabbled in various other business ventures, including real estate. I estimate he was FI somewhere around age 40 or so.

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

Pretty sure counting cards doesn't help you in Poker (I think they reshuffle every hand, though it might depend on the variant), it's more about proper strategy. Also, if you play Poker at a table at the casino you are typically playing against other players and not the casino. So the casino doesn't care how much you win (they just take a cut) and won't kick you out unless you are cheating.

[boarder42]

Poker you can't count cards you can figure your odds vs what you think the other guy may have. Poker is more about understanding odds and people than counting cards in fact you don't count at all. I've made lots of money playing poker and you don't count cards

[Cinder]

I think my Probability professor said without counting cards or anything, your best odds in a casino are with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craps

[RWD]

I think my Probability professor said without counting cards or anything, your best odds in a casino are with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craps

If you go for the right bets Craps aren't horrible. They have terrible odds otherwise though.

[Psychstache]

Craps has an even money bet or two.  Blackjack is positive EV when you play perfect basic strategy and having counting skills, but that ain't easy and you could get thrown out.  Poker had the best odds as long as you know what you are doing since it is a skill game against other players.

[Primm]

It is possible to not lose money at the casino (or even come out ahead) on average if you don't play the wrong games and take advantage of promotional deals. See Casino Gambling for Dummies. I don't recommend gambling in general, but if you are going to do it on occasion then it's best to be informed.

If i remember correctly (never gamble, hope I do not confuse the names lol) Black Jack is the only casino game where the bank is in disadvantage bc the dealer has to make a move. There are certain techniques to use this - and if you use them and win, you get thrown out ;)

My son and 3 of his mates got black banned from a casino in our state for playing Black Jack. They made $25k between them in a couple of hours, on a $4k investment. They did spend some months planning the event, but pulled the "we've all just turned 18, this is our first visit to a casino, we didn't know it was illegal". 2/3 ain't bad. It's a self-limiting game though, there are only so many casinos you can do that to before you get too old / people start to know you.

[LennStar]

It is possible to not lose money at the casino (or even come out ahead) on average if you don't play the wrong games and take advantage of promotional deals. See Casino Gambling for Dummies. I don't recommend gambling in general, but if you are going to do it on occasion then it's best to be informed.

If i remember correctly (never gamble, hope I do not confuse the names lol) Black Jack is the only casino game where the bank is in disadvantage bc the dealer has to make a move. There are certain techniques to use this - and if you use them and win, you get thrown out ;)

My son and 3 of his mates got black banned from a casino in our state for playing Black Jack. They made $25k between them in a couple of hours, on a $4k investment. They did spend some months planning the event, but pulled the "we've all just turned 18, this is our first visit to a casino, we didn't know it was illegal". 2/3 ain't bad. It's a self-limiting game though, there are only so many casinos you can do that to before you get too old / people start to know you.

Well, it isnt illegal, right? I cant think of a law that would make the use of math in your head illegal.
Then again, its the states, so who knows?

[Primm]

Australia here, not the states. And while card counting itself isn't illegal here, it is if you use an external aid (and other people are included in this definition). So no apps or partners. It wasn't the counting as such as much as the fact that they were doing it in a team.

[Melody]

I think its more like a nighclub... here they can kick you up for no reason, and I think the rules are the same in casinos...

[StacheinTX]

My DW tells me today that one of her co-workers bought a $2800 Louis Vuitton purse. Another co-worker and her were talking about it and DW says she thinks its crazy. The other co-worker says she would probably do it if she had the money. DW just laughs and says well when you are all still working at 65 and I've been retired well before, I hope you still have that purse! These people only make $40,000/year and are spending 7% of their income on purses. SMH.

[Melody]

$2800 purse on a $40,000 wage... that's crazy! It's crazy enough when my co-workers on $150K salaries (who still have mortgages) do it, but this is just nuts?!

[gimp]

Counting cards isn't illegal, but a casino will throw you out because they don't like to lose. Throwing you out also isn't illegal.

Also, that is hilarious about the purse. Who does that?

[skunkfunk]

LOL - We are actually in the camp of throwing stuff out instead of moving it.  Just the rental fees of the truck and gas expense is  worth way more than the old bachelor furniture we currently have.

How do you get diffrent stuff to the new place then without moving it? You toss out your old stuff. You get to the new place now what?

The plan is to take out a very high interest loan and buy a bunch of stuff for the new house from the highest end stores in town.  Then I will make the minimum payments on that high interest loan.  I will delay buying this stuff  for months though so that we can eat out at restarants every day instead of utizing our kitchen.

This is stupid.  I suggest rent-to-own instead.

Why the hell would you do that?? You'll get repo'd on a rent-to-own once you default! When I default on the credit card it just goes to stupid collections and I get to keep the stuff.

I just rent-to-own.  Then when I have to move for non-payment of rent I don't need to move all that crap.  I just stop paying and let them repo it.  Moving problem solved!

A truly top down integrated approach.  I like it. Also with a new address a new cable package. Why yes, I would like ALL the channels on all 4 TVs, put those HD 3D DVR no wire high output HDMI TV to good use.

The TVs of course all need the best HDMI cables money can buy: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Digital-Audio-Ethernet-Connection/dp/B003CT2A6I/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

You all need to take a break from reading this thread. It is clearly seeping into your consciousness. ;) (j/k)

Yeah I got a break from it when they repo'd my computer this weekend, but now I'm back with a new one from Aaron's that I got by selling my only bicycle.

[mydogismyheart]

My co-worker just bought a $2,000 Michele watch. I'm not quite sure what her husband makes so they may or may not have the money for it, but I still just can't fathom owing a $2,000 watch, I know they're not rich but they may make around $100K/year. I just think it's completely stupid, but I guess one must own a fancy pants watch. Sad thing is, yesterday she wasn't even wearing it...she's owned it a week and I have yet to see it...

[Cinder]

Sad thing is, yesterday she wasn't even wearing it...she's owned it a week and I have yet to see it...

It reminds me of people who buy really fancy, new cars, and never drive them because they want them to stay nice....

[frugalnacho]

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

Counting cards can give you the edge in black jack (not poker).  It's not illegal, but highly frowned upon by all casinos and they will kick you out and ban you if they catch you.  They like to keep the edge in their favor.

You don't count cards in poker.  You also don't play against the casino (you play against other poker players).  The casino will either charge you a set amount of money per hour to use the seat, or they will take a small percentage (called a rake) of each pot.  The casino gets paid regardless of who wins at poker.  Poker is the only game (with the exception of black jack - if you count cards) that you can actually win money in the long term.  All other casino games the house has the edge and you will lose money if you keep playing - that is how casinos make money.

[edited to add - If you are dominating a poker room and it's causing other players to leave then the casino might be losing money and they can kick you out for that.  as long as people are still playing and dumping money though the casino is getting theirs and they don't care if you win.  This is why there are professional poker players, but no professional slots/craps/roulette players]

Why would you continue to play?  You either

1. acknowledge that you are going to lose money and are willing to pay that cost in exchange for entertainment
2. don't acknowledge that as fact and keep playing thinking you will win money (but you won't), or
3. you are addicted and have a gambling problem.

[Jags4186]

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

Counting cards can give you the edge in black jack (not poker).  It's not illegal, but highly frowned upon by all casinos and they will kick you out and ban you if they catch you.  They like to keep the edge in their favor.

You don't count cards in poker.  You also don't play against the casino (you play against other poker players).  The casino will either charge you a set amount of money per hour to use the seat, or they will take a small percentage (called a rake) of each pot.  The casino gets paid regardless of who wins at poker.  Poker is the only game (with the exception of black jack - if you count cards) that you can actually win money in the long term.  All other casino games the house has the edge and you will lose money if you keep playing - that is how casinos make money.

[edited to add - If you are dominating a poker room and it's causing other players to leave then the casino might be losing money and they can kick you out for that.  as long as people are still playing and dumping money though the casino is getting theirs and they don't care if you win.  This is why there are professional poker players, but no professional slots/craps/roulette players]

Why would you continue to play?  You either

1. acknowledge that you are going to lose money and are willing to pay that cost in exchange for entertainment
2. don't acknowledge that as fact and keep playing thinking you will win money (but you won't), or
3. you are addicted and have a gambling problem.

If you play perfect by the book 7 deck shoe blackjack you should win theoretically I think like 50.1% of the time.  The problem is that many casinos have slightly changed the rules.  For example if you wander onto a table that pays 5:4 or 7:5  instead of 3:2 on blackjack, you found a loser table.  The best way to play blackjack is to play perfect by the book and have as many complimentary drinks as possible.  Your .1% loss should be less than the free beverages :-).

[Melody]

Lots of people have picked up on my lack of gambling understanding he he he. Can you tell I avoid casinos? Easy to do when the only one within less than a 30 hour drive is owned by someone I don't like (packer jnr).

[larmando]

I don't believe what I bolded in your post. I'm going to counter your n=1 situation with my own! I have never had a transaction declined. Guess it's a draw. I'm sure it happens sometimes but CC companies seem to be very good at knowing how much money they are loaning to you since it's their own damn money.

Or they block it because you had a suspicious transaction. Once my card was cloned and used in the US for certain type of popular shops.
Next time I was there and I tried to shop in a similar type of shop my transaction was accepted, but subsequently my card was blocked until I could speak with a representative from the bank.

[boarder42]

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

Counting cards can give you the edge in black jack (not poker).  It's not illegal, but highly frowned upon by all casinos and they will kick you out and ban you if they catch you.  They like to keep the edge in their favor.

You don't count cards in poker.  You also don't play against the casino (you play against other poker players).  The casino will either charge you a set amount of money per hour to use the seat, or they will take a small percentage (called a rake) of each pot.  The casino gets paid regardless of who wins at poker.  Poker is the only game (with the exception of black jack - if you count cards) that you can actually win money in the long term.  All other casino games the house has the edge and you will lose money if you keep playing - that is how casinos make money.

[edited to add - If you are dominating a poker room and it's causing other players to leave then the casino might be losing money and they can kick you out for that.  as long as people are still playing and dumping money though the casino is getting theirs and they don't care if you win.  This is why there are professional poker players, but no professional slots/craps/roulette players]

Why would you continue to play?  You either

1. acknowledge that you are going to lose money and are willing to pay that cost in exchange for entertainment
2. don't acknowledge that as fact and keep playing thinking you will win money (but you won't), or
3. you are addicted and have a gambling problem.

If you play perfect by the book 7 deck shoe blackjack you should win theoretically I think like 50.1% of the time.  The problem is that many casinos have slightly changed the rules.  For example if you wander onto a table that pays 5:4 or 7:5  instead of 3:2 on blackjack, you found a loser table.  The best way to play blackjack is to play perfect by the book and have as many complimentary drinks as possible.  Your .1% loss should be less than the free beverages :-).

wrong you do not have an advantage even at 3/2 a casino doesnt play a game where you EVER have an advantage greater than 49.9% it doesnt make sense for them to do this.  people who dont know odds stop posting that you can make money playing blackjack without counting - and counting doesnt work without 2 people and at most 2 decks

[RWD]

wrong you do not have an advantage even at 3/2 a casino doesnt play a game where you EVER have an advantage greater than 49.9% it doesnt make sense for them to do this.  people who dont know odds stop posting that you can make money playing blackjack without counting - and counting doesnt work without 2 people and at most 2 decks

Agreed. If you follow basic Black Jack strategy the best you can expect is to minimize your losses; you can not gain an edge without counting. You can count cards with one person and with more than 2 decks, but the more decks (and the earlier they are shuffled) the worse your odds become.

Even if you are perfect at counting cards, find a table that has favorable rules that give you an edge, and a casino that won't kick you out there is still the emotional aspect to consider. Due to statistical variance sometimes you will lose a lot of money. This is not much different than investing in the stock market. You might start second guessing your strategy and whether you truly have an edge. In addition, you have to start with a significant bankroll to be able to soak up the inevitable losses. This is not a profession for those with a weak constitution.

[cavewoman]

Personally, I find this foam boring.  Can't think of a way to picture boring foam, so I went with gross...

[Jags4186]

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

Counting cards can give you the edge in black jack (not poker).  It's not illegal, but highly frowned upon by all casinos and they will kick you out and ban you if they catch you.  They like to keep the edge in their favor.

You don't count cards in poker.  You also don't play against the casino (you play against other poker players).  The casino will either charge you a set amount of money per hour to use the seat, or they will take a small percentage (called a rake) of each pot.  The casino gets paid regardless of who wins at poker.  Poker is the only game (with the exception of black jack - if you count cards) that you can actually win money in the long term.  All other casino games the house has the edge and you will lose money if you keep playing - that is how casinos make money.

[edited to add - If you are dominating a poker room and it's causing other players to leave then the casino might be losing money and they can kick you out for that.  as long as people are still playing and dumping money though the casino is getting theirs and they don't care if you win.  This is why there are professional poker players, but no professional slots/craps/roulette players]

Why would you continue to play?  You either

1. acknowledge that you are going to lose money and are willing to pay that cost in exchange for entertainment
2. don't acknowledge that as fact and keep playing thinking you will win money (but you won't), or
3. you are addicted and have a gambling problem.

If you play perfect by the book 7 deck shoe blackjack you should win theoretically I think like 50.1% of the time.  The problem is that many casinos have slightly changed the rules.  For example if you wander onto a table that pays 5:4 or 7:5  instead of 3:2 on blackjack, you found a loser table.  The best way to play blackjack is to play perfect by the book and have as many complimentary drinks as possible.  Your .1% loss should be less than the free beverages :-).

wrong you do not have an advantage even at 3/2 a casino doesnt play a game where you EVER have an advantage greater than 49.9% it doesnt make sense for them to do this.  people who dont know odds stop posting that you can make money playing blackjack without counting - and counting doesnt work without 2 people and at most 2 decks

Yes sorry I said it backwards---if you play perfect you are a .1% disadvantage which isn't bad if you guzzle down the free drinks.

If you find a 5:4 or 7:5 table it's a real loser.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HairyUpperLip]

Excessive boring foam.

[frugalnacho]

It only requires 1 person to count cards. 

I also doubt anyone's ability to play perfect black jack, let alone perfect black jack while guzzling down free alcohol drinks.


Back on topic:

My bosses are aware of my "freedom 40" plan to retire, and that I am frugal and always saving money.  I always bring my lunch instead of going out.  Usually about once a week my boss asks me to go out to lunch, and he always pays because he knows if I have to pay $10-12 for a lunch I will forgo and just eat my $2 packed lunch.  Plus he is the owner of the company and swimming in money so he pays.  If other people are in the office he usually invites them too, and always pays.  Today he invited all 3 guys in the office out to lunch, and both of the other guys declined, and then immediately went out to a different restaurant on their own. WTF?!?! Who passes up a free red robin lunch with the boss...and then goes out and spends $10 to go to a different restaurant?!?! It boggles my mind!

[AgileTurtle]

A couple that both work at our company and looks like they work about the same hours. They drive a Escalate and Infinity SUV. Excuse is they need room for the kid (single). They drove them before the kid. I cant imagine how much gas and car payments are. They arnt super high income earners either.

[klystomane]

Poker you can count cards and will win something like 51% of the time if you do... but of course the house doesn't let you win, they kick you out. if I am not allowed to play to win why would I play?

Counting cards can give you the edge in black jack (not poker).  It's not illegal, but highly frowned upon by all casinos and they will kick you out and ban you if they catch you.  They like to keep the edge in their favor.

You don't count cards in poker.  You also don't play against the casino (you play against other poker players).  The casino will either charge you a set amount of money per hour to use the seat, or they will take a small percentage (called a rake) of each pot.  The casino gets paid regardless of who wins at poker.  Poker is the only game (with the exception of black jack - if you count cards) that you can actually win money in the long term.  All other casino games the house has the edge and you will lose money if you keep playing - that is how casinos make money.

[edited to add - If you are dominating a poker room and it's causing other players to leave then the casino might be losing money and they can kick you out for that.  as long as people are still playing and dumping money though the casino is getting theirs and they don't care if you win.  This is why there are professional poker players, but no professional slots/craps/roulette players]

Why would you continue to play?  You either

1. acknowledge that you are going to lose money and are willing to pay that cost in exchange for entertainment
2. don't acknowledge that as fact and keep playing thinking you will win money (but you won't), or
3. you are addicted and have a gambling problem.

If you play perfect by the book 7 deck shoe blackjack you should win theoretically I think like 50.1% of the time.  The problem is that many casinos have slightly changed the rules.  For example if you wander onto a table that pays 5:4 or 7:5  instead of 3:2 on blackjack, you found a loser table.  The best way to play blackjack is to play perfect by the book and have as many complimentary drinks as possible.  Your .1% loss should be less than the free beverages :-).

wrong you do not have an advantage even at 3/2 a casino doesnt play a game where you EVER have an advantage greater than 49.9% it doesnt make sense for them to do this.  people who dont know odds stop posting that you can make money playing blackjack without counting - and counting doesnt work without 2 people and at most 2 decks

Time to put some of this nonsense to bed:

Blackjack:
1. You CAN count with one person. Obviously you would need to practice to do it effectively. If you're referring to the MIT team that employed multiple people to count, it's because they didn't want to be obvious about it. Once you're obvious about it, then the casino kicks you out.
2. You can count with 1 deck or a million. With card counting in Black Jack, you have a statistical edge in the long run, which means it doesn't matter how many decks you have. The odds are the same.
3. Counting only works if the deck (or decks) has a memory, which means the deck isn't shuffled after every deal (i.e. there IS a discard pile of used cards that are known 100%).
4. Using perfect basic strategy but no counting still puts you at a disadvantage when compared to the house, albeit a smaller one than if you were to not employ basic strategy.

Craps:
1. If left to random chance, the house has the edge (as with all casino games, obviously).
2. There is a theory that you can toss the dice so that statistically you will get certain combinations more than others. In the long run, and if done correctly (takes years and years of practice), will give you the edge, since you are tossing what favours you in the long run. Google "Dice Dominator," some guy that can roll what he needs the majority of the time (in the long run).

There is no house game in the casino that, if left to 100% randomness, gives the player the advantage.

Obviously, many people have been trying to "control" this randomness over the past few decades, sometimes legally (card counting, dice controlling, etc.), and sometimes illegally (past posting, using equipment, etc.).

[frugalnacho]

Time to put some of this nonsense to bed:

Blackjack:
1. You CAN count with one person. Obviously you would need to practice to do it effectively. If you're referring to the MIT team that employed multiple people to count, it's because they didn't want to be obvious about it. Once you're obvious about it, then the casino kicks you out.
2. You can count with 1 deck or a million. With card counting in Black Jack, you have a statistical edge in the long run, which means it doesn't matter how many decks you have. The odds are the same.
3. Counting only works if the deck (or decks) has a memory, which means the deck isn't shuffled after every deal (i.e. there IS a discard pile of used cards that are known 100%).
4. Using perfect basic strategy but no counting still puts you at a disadvantage when compared to the house, albeit a smaller one than if you were to not employ basic strategy.

Craps:
1. If left to random chance, the house has the edge (as with all casino games, obviously).
2. There is a theory that you can toss the dice so that statistically you will get certain combinations more than others. In the long run, and if done correctly (takes years and years of practice), will give you the edge, since you are tossing what favours you in the long run. Google "Dice Dominator," some guy that can roll what he needs the majority of the time (in the long run).

There is no house game in the casino that, if left to 100% randomness, gives the player the advantage.

Obviously, many people have been trying to "control" this randomness over the past few decades, sometimes legally (card counting, dice controlling, etc.), and sometimes illegally (past posting, using equipment, etc.).

I'm not sure you put any of the nonsense to bed. 

You don't need to know 100% of the discard pile in black jack.  Any partial amount you do know increases your odds, even if it's not 100%. 

I am still unconvinced on dice control.  I don't trust anything the history channel runs.  Dice control is such an easily testable theory that the fact there isn't a repeatable conclusive experiment demonstrating it makes me think it's false.   

[Adventine]

Excessive boring foam.

Indeed.

[boarder42]

you can count with one person but you cant be effective you'll get kicked out
they cut 2-2.5 decks out of that six deck shoe making the odds almost impossible to count. 

sorry for you people that dont like the odds talk its an Fn financial forum there are alot of people that like math here. 

[Setruss]

One of the bosses noticed one of my coworkers (engineer) brought lunch. Said coworker remarks that he always tries to bring lunch to save money.

Too bad he buys 2+ big gulps of mountain dew every day, plus a midmorning snack and a mid afternoon snack or two every day from the expensive convenience store downstairs, and a lunch/ dinner or four a week.

Well, he's trying I guess.

[GardenFun]

A couple that both work at our company and looks like they work about the same hours. They drive a Escalate and Infinity SUV. Excuse is they need room for the kid (single). They drove them before the kid. I cant imagine how much gas and car payments are. They arnt super high income earners either.

And they don't drive together?  Out of all the idiocy their car choices portray, not carpooling is just plain stupid. 

[otherbarry]

One of the bosses noticed one of my coworkers (engineer) brought lunch. Said coworker remarks that he always tries to bring lunch to save money.

Too bad he buys 2+ big gulps of mountain dew every day, plus a midmorning snack and a mid afternoon snack or two every day from the expensive convenience store downstairs, and a lunch/ dinner or four a week.

Well, he's trying I guess.

I'd be more worried about the effect that had on my waistline than my wallet.

[frugalnacho]

Who passes up a free red robin lunch with the boss...and then goes out and spends $10 to go to a different restaurant?!?! It boggles my mind!

Depends on how well they like the boss I guess. Before my frugal days I probably would have purchased my own lunch in order to not have to spend my free time with the boss. Now I bring my lunch to work and have a much better boss.

Well i like my boss, but even if I didn't - free red robin lunch!  Maybe i'm just cheap, but I would gladly sit through lunch with a person I disliked for a free lunch like that.

[Timmmy]

Who passes up a free red robin lunch with the boss...and then goes out and spends $10 to go to a different restaurant?!?! It boggles my mind!

Depends on how well they like the boss I guess. Before my frugal days I probably would have purchased my own lunch in order to not have to spend my free time with the boss. Now I bring my lunch to work and have a much better boss.

Well i like my boss, but even if I didn't - free red robin lunch!  Maybe i'm just cheap, but I would gladly sit through lunch with a person I disliked for a free lunch like that.

That red robin is(I'm guessing) less than a half mile from my office.  I prefer the bar across the street for burgers and fries.  You have to dodge the day drinkers but pretty good burger the last time I was in there. 

[GuitarStv]

We have two taps at work, one is for filtered water and one is regular tap water.  When the filter hasn't been changed for a couple months the water only trickles out of it.  I saw a dude who was very slowly filling his water bottle from the filter, went up and filled my water bottle up from the regular tap and went back to my desk.

Before I left he mentioned how shocking it was that I would drink clean tap water.  With his bottle 1/3 full.

[frugalnacho]

Who passes up a free red robin lunch with the boss...and then goes out and spends $10 to go to a different restaurant?!?! It boggles my mind!

Depends on how well they like the boss I guess. Before my frugal days I probably would have purchased my own lunch in order to not have to spend my free time with the boss. Now I bring my lunch to work and have a much better boss.

Well i like my boss, but even if I didn't - free red robin lunch!  Maybe i'm just cheap, but I would gladly sit through lunch with a person I disliked for a free lunch like that.

That red robin is(I'm guessing) less than a half mile from my office.  I prefer the bar across the street for burgers and fries.  You have to dodge the day drinkers but pretty good burger the last time I was in there.

You talking about Augies? I went there once, but it was like 10 years ago.  Don't remember the food, but I never bothered to go back (but then again I rarely go to any bars).   Boss man was paying though so it was his choice.  He's got a thing for a few different restaurants, red robin being one of them (he also loves olive garden and pappa vinos). 

[Timmmy]

Who passes up a free red robin lunch with the boss...and then goes out and spends $10 to go to a different restaurant?!?! It boggles my mind!

Depends on how well they like the boss I guess. Before my frugal days I probably would have purchased my own lunch in order to not have to spend my free time with the boss. Now I bring my lunch to work and have a much better boss.

Well i like my boss, but even if I didn't - free red robin lunch!  Maybe i'm just cheap, but I would gladly sit through lunch with a person I disliked for a free lunch like that.

That red robin is(I'm guessing) less than a half mile from my office.  I prefer the bar across the street for burgers and fries.  You have to dodge the day drinkers but pretty good burger the last time I was in there.

You talking about Augies? I went there once, but it was like 10 years ago.  Don't remember the food, but I never bothered to go back (but then again I rarely go to any bars).   Boss man was paying though so it was his choice.  He's got a thing for a few different restaurants, red robin being one of them (he also loves olive garden and pappa vinos).

Yep.  Just saying that's a better burger IMO.  I'm not a huge fan of the dirty bird.  Over priced and under delivered every time I have been.  You might be able to steer him there if he's in to good burgers.  Although, there is quite a few places within a few minute drive with better burgers than both those places. 

[Cheddar Stacker]

We have two taps at work, one is for filtered water and one is regular tap water.  When the filter hasn't been changed for a couple months the water only trickles out of it.  I saw a dude who was very slowly filling his water bottle from the filter, went up and filled my water bottle up from the regular tap and went back to my desk.

Before I left he mentioned how shocking it was that I would drink clean tap water.  With his bottle 1/3 full.

Wow. I would not have the patience to wait either, but I'm not very particular about my water either. I drink too much of it to bother being fussy about it. It's all good to me.

[cavewoman]

We have two taps at work, one is for filtered water and one is regular tap water.  When the filter hasn't been changed for a couple months the water only trickles out of it.  I saw a dude who was very slowly filling his water bottle from the filter, went up and filled my water bottle up from the regular tap and went back to my desk.

Before I left he mentioned how shocking it was that I would drink clean tap water.  With his bottle 1/3 full.

Ha!  I'm more skeeved out by what can grow in a filter I don't have control over (like at work).  I don't know that this is rational, given how little control I have over the tap water system, but that's my psyche.

We have a fridge with an in-door water/ice dispenser.  There is a sign on the freezer door that says "Please do not take ice directly from the tray, use ice dispenser ONLY".  Every morning, this guy opens the freezer and rubs his hands all over the ice as he fills his cup.  What's weird is he only does this in the pre-work time (We're both in the office 15-20 minutes before most).  When everyone else is here, he uses the dispenser.

[MgoSam]

How decent is your tap water? Our tap water is absolutely filthy, and so we got a water cooler a few years ago. I don't mind drinking tap so long as I feel that it is drinkable...