Obviously, every hand has various odds. For instance, if you've got 15 or 16 and the dealer has Ace or 10 up, you're in trouble. Likewise, you have 20 and the dealer has 7, 8, or 9 up, you're sitting pretty. But overall, based on a computerized test of billions of hand, the dealer advantage is 1/2 of 1 percent, at least per the Blackjack Bluebook II (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/061 5123007/qid=1080450144/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-5341 525-1555954?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)
You don't have to count them all. Just two groups.
Group 1 - cards 5 or less Group 2 - 10's or face cards
When you've counted a significantly higher number of group 1's than group 2's, increase your bet - more high cards gives the player better odds, and vice versa.
I did this in Vegas with a 2-deck shoe that they cut 22 cards out of at shuffle and won $290 at a $5 table...I would bet $20 on the first hand of a shoe and $10 - $20 on a somewhat favorable to very favorable shoe thereafter, and $5 every other time. I didn't even count the whole deck, just each hand. With about 21 cards per hand at a six-player table, if I got a +5 or better inbalance, I ramped up my bets. And it worked like a charm, I probably won 75% of my big bets and lost 75% of my small bets (give or take), therefore netting me profit in the end.
There isn't a better than 50% chance of winning if you don't count cards. If you play absolutely perfect non-card-counting strategy, your chances of winning are 49 1/2%.
Even the most basic of card counts gives you a slight advantage (1/4 to 1/2%), however. You have to be very patient and wait for a good shoe, however.
Well, IANAMIA (I Am Not A Malpratice Insurance Agent), but here's what I believe to understand on the subject....
Malpractice insurance is basically "humanity insurance" as I see it. It's insurance for people in a legal (as in not illegal, not necessarily law, can be medicine, insurance, etc.) profession that "make a mistake" (or at least, the patient/client sees it that way. I do not believe that it would pay for malicious acts (i.e. Lorena Bobbit's "surgery", or proven purposefully bad advice from lawyer to client, etc.), only accidental (like auto liability insurance - it's also illegal to cause accidents, but not horribly bad if it's not on purpose). Again, not my field nor my licensure so I can't say for sure...
The reason is because it is illegal to insure illegal acts. I couldn't get a policy from Lloyd's of London on my knees, for example, if my profession was knocking off gas stations, or swiping purses. I also couldn't get car insurance if it was the getaway car.
That is assuming, you are honest when going through the insurance application, heh. But I'm just drawing an analogy to real life as to why this couldn't be done, because if it could, I would write such a policy in a second, though you probably wouldn't like the terms.
I wonder how Preparation H would work as heat sink grease? That test from a few weeks ago didn't include it, though it did include ordinary toothpaste!
They called "Sponge Monkeys" and yes they're everywhere, and yes they do suck. Search google for more info on them. They actually were a flash animation on the internet first, singing about the moon!
I know you're joking, but god I hope there aren't a lot of people like that. His leftist agenda is at least as strong as the right agenda pushed by FOX News.
I watch it for the comedy factor, not for any meaningful editorial content.
Well, I don't hate Starbucks because I'm anti-establishment. Quite the opposite actually, I am open-minded enough to eat at a national or multi-national chain if the food's good and the price is right (coincidentally, for the ones mentioned, I despise Subway and much prefer Jimmy John's/Big Mikes, Quizno's, or Blimpie, and Taco Bell is ok but I prefer the local sit-down Mexican restaurant chain).
I used to live in a small private college town and now I live in a Big Ten, and I would never get coffee at a Starbucks here unless I was with someone else who insisted on it (funnily, there wasn't an honest-to-god Starbucks here until a few months ago, save the one inside Barnes and Noble at the mall across town).
That's because Starbucks is the McDonald's of coffee, and you don't go to McDonald's for its fine cuisine! Go to your nearest independant place near a college campus for better coffee.
Actually, I think doing a three-part Silmarillion trilogy would be awesome
Part 1 - Principal character: Feanor. It would start with the awakening of the elves and then Orome taking the three elves to Valinor, and where they become kings and then return to middle earth to convince the others to come too. But some (the Sindar) stay (story of Thingol and Melian). Aule teaches the Noldor in craft skill and Feanor creates the Silmarils. Melkor and Ungoliant destroy the two trees. Feanor leads the Noldor out of Aman, kinslaying on Tol Eressa to steal the ships of the Teleri, and then Feanor sneaking away from Fingolfin and his host, making them cross the Helcaraxe. The movie would end with the creation of the Sun and Moon and the fortification of Aman.
Part 2 - Principal Character: Various men
Starts with the awakening of men and their migration west and sometimes friendly, sometimes weary relations with the elves, continues on to Dagor Bragollach and the battle of Fingolfin and Morgorth. Next would of course be the story of Beren and Luthien, and then the battle of Unnumbered Tears. Next
Part 3 - Turin, Tuor, Earendil
Starts with Turin and the slaying of Glauring. Next the ruin of Doriath chapter. Then comes Tuor's quest for Gondolin and the fall of Gondolin, and then finally, the huge finale, Earendil's quest for Valinor and the following War of Wrath.
There could even be a Part 4 for the Akallabeth. That would also rock.
I would rather see those four movies made than the Hobbit actually, but it's not my decision:)
Well, I'm downloading it, I'm certainly going to give it a shot as I always do for Mandrake. I'll certainly file bug reports. My point was that the final release quality of Mandrake in the past has been suspect, and THAT was with a 3 beta/3 RC testing structure. This time, there was 2 or 3 betas and then 1 RC before they shipped it out the door as finished product.
Point is, a lot of people are going to download it solely because this is the "final release", but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that they're going to find the quality lacking based on the state of this release at beta 2 (which was the last time I tried it), and the state of Mandrake's last two final releases (9.2.0 killed CD-ROM's and 9.2.1 powerpack, only on the mandrakeclub site, had one version number for the NVDIA kernel and a different one for the driver, so it didn't work).
Judging on the quality of the final release for 9.2 after 3 RC's and the fact that this is the new "non-official-ala-fedora" release, I'm kinda skeptical on the quality of it. In fact, judging from the comments I read on RC1, THAT release was probably more like the last beta and THIS one is probably more like a release candidate. The one people want is going to be the "official" version in May, I think.
Every other version there is a PPC release, and it's not released concurrently to the x86. So if there was a 9.2 PPC, there won't be a 10.0. However, if the last one was 9.1, there will be a 10.0. I don't follow the PPC release schedule beyond that since I don't use Mac, but you can make your determination from that.
Well he's slightly wrong, and you correct him on this. The companies want the best value for their dollar. If Indian call center workers/programmers/etc. provide this, then that's who they're going to get. It's no different from choosing the fab to make their products, or where they buy their transistors, etc.
No, the Fire Dept. would be a subscription or pay-by-use system (with known rates, not an "auction" process as you suggest) that you would have or not have, like insurance. Like, $500/per hour of fire combat, or $2000 per year, or whatever. At least, that would be the free market way to do things.
He did say capitalist in the first part of his statement, but then he mentioned free market, and the two are not synonyms.
Chris
Re:Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays.
on
Orwellian Tech Support
·
· Score: 1
Perhaps, but I'm going to go with the coffee mug, which is the same as the sign in front of the building.
Which is why I told you to watch your DVD again.
Chris
Re:Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays.
on
Orwellian Tech Support
·
· Score: 1
Here's a nice image for you: http://www.aquanuke.com/item-3388284024.asp
Slashdot Mirror
Well, I walked out of Vegas at $590 starting with $300, AND got about 15 free drinks, so I'd say I played with better odds than the change machine ;)
Chris
Obviously, every hand has various odds. For instance, if you've got 15 or 16 and the dealer has Ace or 10 up, you're in trouble. Likewise, you have 20 and the dealer has 7, 8, or 9 up, you're sitting pretty. But overall, based on a computerized test of billions of hand, the dealer advantage is 1/2 of 1 percent, at least per the Blackjack Bluebook II (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/061 5123007/qid=1080450144/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-5341 525-1555954?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)
Chris
You don't have to count them all. Just two groups.
Group 1 - cards 5 or less
Group 2 - 10's or face cards
When you've counted a significantly higher number of group 1's than group 2's, increase your bet - more high cards gives the player better odds, and vice versa.
I did this in Vegas with a 2-deck shoe that they cut 22 cards out of at shuffle and won $290 at a $5 table...I would bet $20 on the first hand of a shoe and $10 - $20 on a somewhat favorable to very favorable shoe thereafter, and $5 every other time. I didn't even count the whole deck, just each hand. With about 21 cards per hand at a six-player table, if I got a +5 or better inbalance, I ramped up my bets. And it worked like a charm, I probably won 75% of my big bets and lost 75% of my small bets (give or take), therefore netting me profit in the end.
Chris
There isn't a better than 50% chance of winning if you don't count cards. If you play absolutely perfect non-card-counting strategy, your chances of winning are 49 1/2%.
Even the most basic of card counts gives you a slight advantage (1/4 to 1/2%), however. You have to be very patient and wait for a good shoe, however.
Chris
And yet the comparison document is in a format that can't be read by MS Office, but CAN by OpenOffice.org...not a great idea :)
Chris
Well, IANAMIA (I Am Not A Malpratice Insurance Agent), but here's what I believe to understand on the subject....
Malpractice insurance is basically "humanity insurance" as I see it. It's insurance for people in a legal (as in not illegal, not necessarily law, can be medicine, insurance, etc.) profession that "make a mistake" (or at least, the patient/client sees it that way. I do not believe that it would pay for malicious acts (i.e. Lorena Bobbit's "surgery", or proven purposefully bad advice from lawyer to client, etc.), only accidental (like auto liability insurance - it's also illegal to cause accidents, but not horribly bad if it's not on purpose). Again, not my field nor my licensure so I can't say for sure...
Chris
The reason is because it is illegal to insure illegal acts. I couldn't get a policy from Lloyd's of London on my knees, for example, if my profession was knocking off gas stations, or swiping purses. I also couldn't get car insurance if it was the getaway car.
That is assuming, you are honest when going through the insurance application, heh. But I'm just drawing an analogy to real life as to why this couldn't be done, because if it could, I would write such a policy in a second, though you probably wouldn't like the terms.
Chris
I wonder how Preparation H would work as heat sink grease? That test from a few weeks ago didn't include it, though it did include ordinary toothpaste!
And Desitin too.
Chris
They called "Sponge Monkeys" and yes they're everywhere, and yes they do suck. Search google for more info on them. They actually were a flash animation on the internet first, singing about the moon!
Chris
You are supposed to pay if you use it on a commercial basis.
Chris
I know you're joking, but god I hope there aren't a lot of people like that. His leftist agenda is at least as strong as the right agenda pushed by FOX News.
I watch it for the comedy factor, not for any meaningful editorial content.
Chris
Well, I don't hate Starbucks because I'm anti-establishment. Quite the opposite actually, I am open-minded enough to eat at a national or multi-national chain if the food's good and the price is right (coincidentally, for the ones mentioned, I despise Subway and much prefer Jimmy John's/Big Mikes, Quizno's, or Blimpie, and Taco Bell is ok but I prefer the local sit-down Mexican restaurant chain).
I used to live in a small private college town and now I live in a Big Ten, and I would never get coffee at a Starbucks here unless I was with someone else who insisted on it (funnily, there wasn't an honest-to-god Starbucks here until a few months ago, save the one inside Barnes and Noble at the mall across town).
Chris
That's because Starbucks is the McDonald's of coffee, and you don't go to McDonald's for its fine cuisine! Go to your nearest independant place near a college campus for better coffee.
Chris
You forgot the plot element ultimately causing his downfall, that he finds out that Nienor is his sister.
Chris
Actually, I think doing a three-part Silmarillion trilogy would be awesome
:)
Part 1 - Principal character: Feanor. It would start with the awakening of the elves and then Orome taking the three elves to Valinor, and where they become kings and then return to middle earth to convince the others to come too. But some (the Sindar) stay (story of Thingol and Melian). Aule teaches the Noldor in craft skill and Feanor creates the Silmarils. Melkor and Ungoliant destroy the two trees. Feanor leads the Noldor out of Aman, kinslaying on Tol Eressa to steal the ships of the Teleri, and then Feanor sneaking away from Fingolfin and his host, making them cross the Helcaraxe. The movie would end with the creation of the Sun and Moon and the fortification of Aman.
Part 2 - Principal Character: Various men
Starts with the awakening of men and their migration west and sometimes friendly, sometimes weary relations with the elves, continues on to Dagor Bragollach and the battle of Fingolfin and Morgorth. Next would of course be the story of Beren and Luthien, and then the battle of Unnumbered Tears. Next
Part 3 - Turin, Tuor, Earendil
Starts with Turin and the slaying of Glauring. Next the ruin of Doriath chapter. Then comes Tuor's quest for Gondolin and the fall of Gondolin, and then finally, the huge finale, Earendil's quest for Valinor and the following War of Wrath.
There could even be a Part 4 for the Akallabeth. That would also rock.
I would rather see those four movies made than the Hobbit actually, but it's not my decision
Chris
I think he meant format AS an NTFS partition, as you can make FAT32 partitions with Linux.
Chris
Well, I'm downloading it, I'm certainly going to give it a shot as I always do for Mandrake. I'll certainly file bug reports. My point was that the final release quality of Mandrake in the past has been suspect, and THAT was with a 3 beta/3 RC testing structure. This time, there was 2 or 3 betas and then 1 RC before they shipped it out the door as finished product.
Point is, a lot of people are going to download it solely because this is the "final release", but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that they're going to find the quality lacking based on the state of this release at beta 2 (which was the last time I tried it), and the state of Mandrake's last two final releases (9.2.0 killed CD-ROM's and 9.2.1 powerpack, only on the mandrakeclub site, had one version number for the NVDIA kernel and a different one for the driver, so it didn't work).
Chris
Judging on the quality of the final release for 9.2 after 3 RC's and the fact that this is the new "non-official-ala-fedora" release, I'm kinda skeptical on the quality of it. In fact, judging from the comments I read on RC1, THAT release was probably more like the last beta and THIS one is probably more like a release candidate. The one people want is going to be the "official" version in May, I think.
Chris
Every other version there is a PPC release, and it's not released concurrently to the x86. So if there was a 9.2 PPC, there won't be a 10.0. However, if the last one was 9.1, there will be a 10.0. I don't follow the PPC release schedule beyond that since I don't use Mac, but you can make your determination from that.
Chris
Well he's slightly wrong, and you correct him on this. The companies want the best value for their dollar. If Indian call center workers/programmers/etc. provide this, then that's who they're going to get. It's no different from choosing the fab to make their products, or where they buy their transistors, etc.
Chris
Of course, that's where it starts.
Chris
Do you read all of your source code before you use the software?
Chris
No, the Fire Dept. would be a subscription or pay-by-use system (with known rates, not an "auction" process as you suggest) that you would have or not have, like insurance. Like, $500/per hour of fire combat, or $2000 per year, or whatever. At least, that would be the free market way to do things.
He did say capitalist in the first part of his statement, but then he mentioned free market, and the two are not synonyms.
Chris
Perhaps, but I'm going to go with the coffee mug, which is the same as the sign in front of the building.
Which is why I told you to watch your DVD again.
Chris
Here's a nice image for you: http://www.aquanuke.com/item-3388284024.asp
Chris