For Entrepreneurs, TV Producers and Blackjack Players

So you going to be an entrepreneur and produce a tv show about blackjack players?

mugtech wrote:

So you going to be an entrepreneur and produce a tv show about blackjack players?

If you've been following the New Members posts, you are aware that London Johnny and I have sent out "feelers."

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

mugtech wrote:

So you going to be an entrepreneur and produce a tv show about blackjack players?

If you've been following the New Members posts, you are aware that London Johnny and I have sent out "feelers."

cccmedia in Quito

Yes, am aware, wanted to make sure my first post on this wonderful new thread was not

cccmedia wrote:

Some curmudgeon over at the New Members thread had a tantrum because London Johnny and I were batting around some business ideas.   

, she announced.

To accomodate this irate poster, this new thread has been created.

It's been a couple of days since whatsername booted me and London Johnny off "New Members," and yet despite the name of this thread, so far nothing has been posted about the world's best casino game -- Blackjack.

Not too surprising since table games were put out of business in EC several years ago.

As far as I know, the nearest legal casinos to Ecuador are probably in Lima, Peru, and the Colombian cities of Cali and Bogota.  The word I get from Colombianas I have met this year is that Cali (of Cali Cartel infamy) is still a dangerous place, so I personally would not visit there.
Medellin and various other Col. cities have apparently been cleaned up over the years since the Escobar days with massive police involvement,
so I'd consider a trip to "Med."

I once took a trip as a USA resident from Quito to the Colombian border at Tulcan (tool-CAHN), Ecuador, for a visa run and to check out the "casinos" in the Col. border town of Ipiales.  Got the visa (when I crossed back into EC) but found that there was no "gaming" in Ipiales other than slots parlors.

Lately the only Blackjack I've been playing has been online Blackjack -- possibly the most convenient way to play.  I haven't asked around about the illegal cardrooms that likely exist since the ban, and wouldn't want to go there even if I knew where they might be.

cccmedia in Quito

I have a lot of vices but gambling has never been one of them.

I won $25 at a blackjack table about ten years ago, took my winnings and quit while I was still ahead. Went directly into the bar and spent it.

Left even-steven and got two free drinks.

Casinos always look like something that should be fun, but never are.

Someone posting on another thread recently disputed my assertion that  it was El Jefe Supremo who closed Ecuador's casinos several years ago.

I wouldn't call that naive since there WAS a public vote on the referenda that were passed at that time, including the casinos ban.  The ban passed narrowly.

But make no mistake about it:  those referenda were introduced, endorsed and promoted by El Gran Lider.  Probably conceived by him and his "sequito" as well.

I envision some day when El Supremo has left office and legal public Blackjack will again be possible in the Land of the Sun.

cccmedia, Quito campaign manager, Nards Barley for Presidente 2017

gardener1 wrote:

I won $25 at a blackjack table about ten years ago, took my winnings and quit while I was still ahead. Went directly into the bar and spent it.

Left even-steven and got two free drinks.

Casinos always look like something that should be fun, but never are.

I dunno, that sounded like a decent casino visit to me.

cccmedia in Quito

Don't be too distraught, I think the gambling situation will change, and perhaps rather quickly.

What often happens is that perceived immoral and unhealthy vices (that generate a lot of revenue) are banned outright.

It is widely known by everyone that these vices are fairly popular and that people will keep on doing them anyway.

So after the banning, government comes in later and creates exceptions under which these vices are again allowed, under onerous regulations and limitations, and usually exorbitant taxes. (the skim)

I think this is exactly what will happen in Ecuador. When it will happen probably depends on the price of oil.

Perhaps they will create limited gambling districts, like Salinas say, (bet on it) or La Mariscal. With limited locations government can better control the always-present organized crime issue, and keep the activity out of the general public access. And a close eye on the money that goes in and out.

I think you'll see this happen in the not too distant future.

gardener1 wrote:

Perhaps they will create limited gambling districts, like Salinas say, (bet on it) or La Mariscal. With limited locations government can better control the always-present organized crime issue, and keep the activity out of the general public access. And a close eye on the money that goes in and out.

I think you'll see this happen in the not too distant future.

A well-reasoned and well-put post, Top Cat.

In my research, I could find no other country besides Ecuador that has outlawed existing casinos in the past 100 years.

cccmedia in Quito

Wonder why Ecuador?

gardener1 wrote:

Casinos always look like something that should be fun, but never are.

If anyone wants to get a sense of someone who has had fun at the major casinos in Vegas and Atlantic City, check out the Las Vegas Sun's report on Don Johnson (not the actor) and how he scored in the multi-millions at the Blackjack tables in a six-month period. (lasvegassun.com 8-19-2013)

Johnson masked the fact that he was killing it at 21 with a liquor-drenched "act," and used a 20 percent casino discount on high-roller losses to wait out the losing and then turn the tables on the casino "jefes" when the good cards came his way.

cccmedia in Quito

Russia outlawed gambling in 2008, 2009?

That was after a huge gambling/prostitution/racketeering mafia had moved onto every corner and had been running completely amok all over. So the Russians banned it.

And soon afterward the Russian Duma created special gambling districts. One on the Sea of Azov, one in Kaliningrad, one in Siberia, and I forgot where the fourth one was.

Need I say these are all well away from the major population areas and are much easier to monitor and control?

America has done much of the same thing. And as government has become more indebted, it has allowed more of these special gambling areas to exist.

CCC
Wish that would work here. Am not that slick. Was told that if they knew you were counting cards with any significant winnings you'd be dead before you got to your car. Might go to the buffet for Thanksgiving, lot less than the minimum for blackjack and 21 tables. Don't really gamble either. It keeps my mother from rolling in her grave

suefrankdahl wrote:

Was told that if they knew you were counting cards with any significant winnings you'd be dead before you got to your car.

This is one of many casino myths.

Back in the day, talking maybe 50-60 years ago when the wise guys were still running things, violence was known to be perpetrated against suspected cheaters (card counting is not illegal).

But having worked as a casino dealer (1991-97, 2008-2012) and contributing editor for Blackjack Confidential Magasine (1997-2000), I say with confidence that the casinos could not get away with such in this era.

The absurdly violent way in which the casino security guy confronted the Big Player in the movie "21" is one reason why knowledgeable Blackjack players and industry veterans consider that movie to be a joke.

The movie "Casino," however -- about Vegas in the earlier era -- is a great movie and IMO likely a fairly accurate portrayal of said era.  Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci (as the "muscle") and Sharon Stone were awesome.

cccmedia in Quito

suefrankdahl wrote:

Was told that if they knew you were counting cards with any significant winnings you'd be dead before you got to your car.

You don't need to be winning big, or winning at all, to get casino "heat" when counting cards.

I got "backed off" from the Blackjack tables in the 90's at one casino in downtown Las Vegas and two joints in Reno while counting.  And I never placed a bet for more than $15 at any of those places.

I ranged my bets from $2 to $15 dollars depending on the count.  Varying your bet amount is the usual tip-off to the pit boss that you're counting -- you're putting more money in play when the player(s) have the advantage, when the many high cards left mean the dealer is likely to break and the many remaining aces mean more player blackjacks are indicated.

The routine was pretty much the same when the pit boss came over at these casinos.  "Sir, we consider your play to be too strong.  You're welcome to play the other games or eat in the restaurants, but no more 21."  Always polite, but not open to discussion.  They have the right to bar you from play in Nevada for any reason or no reason, even though counting cards is a mental activity and is not illegal.

High rollers seen counting may be treated differently from me.  But any casino that ran afoul of the gaming commission by violently mistreating a player would be risking its super-valuable gaming license so IMO they wouldn't even consider doing it.

Another player at a table in Reno where I was being backed off was shocked.  He had seen I was only at the table about 7 minutes and was placing bets of $15 and under.  He protested to the pit boss that he couldn't understand or believe it, as I quietly departed the table. 

The pit boss had given me the standard line.  Now he just silently walked away from the disbelieving player to the other side of the pit.

I broke even at that session -- no winnings.

cccmedia in Quito

I'm talking about Oregon. EVERYONE here is packing a piece. Maybe the bartender was just trying to scare me. I know it's not illegal. It's how they teach probability in undergraduate statistics courses. I did get spooked when I walked in and asked where the tables were and the guy said to me "there are eyes everywhere"

This is still the wild west on many levels

Honestly, a lot of bodies still disappear here. Contented myself with all the free soda, juice and lively conversation with the bartender.There was an empty seat at one of the 21 tables (all men) and opted not to take it. They probably can look up your skirt !!!

suefrankdahl wrote:

I'm talking about Oregon. EVERYONE here is packing a piece....

This is still the wild west on many levels

Ah, yes, Oregon.  I remember it well.

Indian casino Blackjack is legal.  So is "social Blackjack" where, according to the law, anyone can walk in off the street, score one natural (two-card 21) and take over the deal.  Max bets up to $25 in some places.

I rented a table in Clatskanie three nights a week for about six months one year, offered a social-Blackjack max bet of $5, and dealt BJ to a pretty well-behaved crowd.  I gave away a box of Wheaties picturing Clyde "the Glide" Drexler of NBA fame, then a Portland Trailblaser, if anyone received consecutive naturals.  They "ate up" that promotion, so to speak.

Then there was the weekend I was brought up to Pendleton, Oregon, for the annual rodeo days.  That was more lucrative, at least those two days.  One "degenerate" player was so hooked that he virtually insisted that I allow him to bet his eyeglasses (which he was to redeem a little later, or so he said, if he lost the bet).  Of course, he lost, and of course, he never came back for his glasses.

But wait, there's more  (too much for one post) ... keep reading for my brush with danger (that Sue hinted at) in my next post...

suefrankdahl wrote:

Honestly, a lot of bodies still disappear here.

So anyway, Oregon Blackjack stories.

Before leaving Oregon to move to Las Vegas, I went over the OR coast where "social Blackjack" was popular.

It's supposed to be a social game but the folks entrenched in one hotel's card room (I am trying NOT to remember the exact location due to bad memories) used misdirection, shunning and eventually outright hostility against me to make a point:  dealers there considered themselves paid workers whose families depended on them not turning the deal over to an outsider.  I was not welcome.  I was glad to get outta there.

And my final Oregon tale:

My only sister has been living in Ashland, OR, for many years.  I went to visit her one time and she took me over to a cardroom at a nearby town.

I dealt social Blackjack for a couple of hours and made a modest amount off the players.  At the end I gifted my deck of cards to the house.

Next thing I know, the bartender is coming toward me with that deck of cards in one hand and a baseball bat in the other.

He's claiming the cards were marked (now why would I give them to him if I was cheating) and saying I should never return to his cardroom-bar or there'd be trouble.

Of course, Sue, I never did go back there.

Oregon, Blackjack's Wild West, fer shure.

cccmedia in Quito

To be fair to Oregon and anyone in a position to play Blackjack there, I have visited several of the OR casinos (built after my Wild West encounters) and they seemed as tame as any gaming venues I have known.

I think anybody should be safe and secure inside those casinos.

But -- "por amor a Elvis," as they say -- stay away from that Oregon "social" Blackjack.

cccmedia in Quito

suefrankdahl wrote:

I did get spooked when I walked in and asked where the tables were and the guy said to me "there are eyes everywhere"

Vigilance and lots of it is standard procedure in casinos, nothing to get spooked about if you're a law-abiding customer such as Sue.

As the narration explained over the first in-casino scene of the movie "Casino," the dealers are watching the players, the supervisors are watching the dealers, the pit bosses are watching the supervisors, the casino manager is watching the pit bosses...and the eye-in-the-sky (video cameras over every table these days, guys on overhead walkways back then) is watching everyone.

cccmedia in Quito

It was like being in a movie with cameras you couldn't see. Did my best to keep a low profile so I can go back their for brunch and not worry. Even the bartender was watching everybody. Might've stood out because I was only drinking juice and soda. Guess I'll go to the one in Florence next time and not even go near the tables. It is sort of fun to watch but don't need any more cheap thrills at my age

You'll recall that this thread "For Entrepreneurs, TV Producers and Blackjack Players" was started when the "curmudgeon" kicked me and London Johnnny (Blog handle: bekerst) off the New Members thread about a week ago.  The two of us had been kickin' around various business ideas for Johnny, and so were "off topic," she claimed.

Well, London Johnny hasn't posted on this newer thread yet...but he did contact me back at New Members today, again looking for new business ideas for when he gets to Quito.

One of my ideas was a cheese emporium (to satiate cheese-lovers in a city starved for gourmet cheese and even Swiss-American-Muenster cheeses).

But somebody posted that the EC tariffs on cheese are godawful high, and that may have scared Johnny off from that idea.

I also suggested a peluqueria (hair salon) named after London Johnny but he has not shown true interest in that.

At this point I suggest that to get the ball rolling on this thread, Johnny should post about his interests and his business background before expecting the rest of us to tailor business ideas for him.

And now, (I hope)...Heeeeeeeere's Johnny...