avion

Reason I do these informal surveys, is that it will give new members a "realistic" idea of what it takes, and that it doesn't happen overnight in just a month or two, which I think may be helpful to them. Certainly understanding everyone has their own time frame and learning curve, and at the same time, hope it helps with any unrealistic expectations. It takes a lot of reading, work, study, practice, commitment, passion, help, etc......and well worth it to learn here. Consider, we have been given so much, and in the true spirit of caring and sharing to help others also.

Couple of days later, after the conversation in sharing with and from Pando.......the mantra I have chosen will always be....."Read the shoe" or as I remember from someone else saying...."See the shoe clearly" It is absolutely IMPERATIVE to do so. " You know what your job is, stop jawing and get to work." Yes Sir, right away Sir.

It is uncanny how things happen. No sooner did I make my last post here, and I was clicking on a internet business and tech page and this is what I saw. I would like to dedicate it in honor of Pando, for all he shared with me today. I paraphrased the title of it (without permission) "Here is the strategy that Elite Baccarat players follow to perform at their highest level. When coach Shaka Smart was interviewed after his team beat North Carolina in a surprise upset last week, what did he say? He didn’t focus on the buzzer beater. Or the strategy. He said his team won because “they followed the process.” Tony Wroten, a guard for the 76ers, got the same advice from his coaches. “They tell us every game, every day, ‘trust the process.’” John Fox, the coach trying to turn around the Chicago Bears, asked his team the same thing. But what the hell is it? What is the process? It can be traced to Nick Saban, the famous coach of LSU and Alabama—perhaps the most dominant dynasty in the history of college football. But he got it from a psychiatry professor named Lionel Rosen during his time at Michigan State. Rosen’s big insight was this: sports—especially football—are complex. Nobody has enough brainpower or motivation to consistently manage all the variables going on in the course of a season, let alone a game. They think they do—but realistically, they don’t. There are too many plays, too many players, too many statistics, countermoves, unpredictables, distractions. Over the course of a long playoff season, this adds up into a cognitively impossible load. Meanwhile, as Monte Burke writes in his book Saban, Rosen discovered that the average play in football lasts just seven seconds. Seven seconds—that’s very manageable. So he posed a question: What if a team concentrated only on what they could manage? What if they took things step by step—not focusing on anything but what was right in front of them and on doing it well? As a result, Nick Saban doesn’t focus on what every other coach focuses on, or at least not the way they do. He tells them: “Don’t think about winning the SEC Championship. Don’t think about the national championship. Think about what you needed to do in this drill, on this play, in this moment. That’s the process: Let’s think about what we can do today, the task at hand.” It’s this message that’s been internalized by his players and his teams—which together have four national championships in an eight-year span, one Mid-American Conference championship, have been crowned SEC champions 15 times and Saban has received multiple coaching awards. In the chaos of sport, as in life, process provides a way. A way to turn something very complex into something simple. Not that simple is easy. But it is easier. Let’s say you’ve got to do something difficult. Don’t focus on that. Instead break it down into pieces. Simply do what you need to do right now. And do it well. And then move on to the next thing. Follow the process and not the prize. As Bill Belichick famously put it, just do your job. The road to back-to-back championships, or being a writer or a successful entrepreneur is just that, a road. And you travel along a road in steps. Excellence is a matter of steps. Excelling at this one, then that one and then the one after that. Saban’s process is exclusively this—existing in the present, taking it one step at a time, not getting distracted by anything else. Not the other team, not the scoreboard, or the crowd. The process is about finishing. Finishing games. Finishing workouts. Finishing film sessions. Finishing drives. Finishing reps. Finishing plays. Finishing blocks. Finishing the smallest task you have right in front of you and finishing it well. Whether it’s pursuing the pinnacle of success in your field, or simply surviving some awful or trying ordeal, the same approach works. Don’t think about the end—think about surviving. Getting it right from meal to meal, meeting to meeting, project to project, paycheck to paycheck, one day at a time. And when you really get it right, even the hardest things become manageable. As Heraclitus observed, “under the comb, the tangle and the straight path are the same.” That’s what the process is. Under its influence, we needn’t panic. Even mammoth tasks become just a series of component parts. This was what the great 19th-century pioneer of meteorology, James Pollard Espy, had shown to him in a chance encounter as a young man. Unable to read and write until he was 18, Espy attended a rousing speech by the famous orator Henry Clay. After the talk, a spellbound Espy tried to make his way toward Clay, but he couldn’t form the words to speak to his idol. One of his friends shouted out for him: “He wants to be like you, even though he can’t read.” Clay grabbed one of his posters, which had the word CLAY written in big letters. He looked at Espy and said, “You see that, boy?” pointing to a letter. “That’s an A. Now, you’ve only got 25 more letters to go.” Espy had just been gifted The Process. Within a year, he started college. What Rosen, what Espy, what these coaches are practicing is a central tenet of stoic philosophy—one which I’ve tried to pass along in The Obstacle is The Way. It’s just a modern take on Marcus Aurelius when he advised: “Don’t let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole. Don’t try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen. Stick with the situation at hand, and ask, “Why is this so unbearable? Why can’t I endure it?” Seven seconds. Sticking to the situation at hand. Focusing on what’s immediately in front of you. No strain, no struggling. So relaxed. No exertion or worry. Just one simple movement after another. That’s the power of process. We can channel this, too. We needn’t scramble like we’re so often inclined to do when some difficult task sits in front of us. Instead, we can take a breath, do the immediate, composite part in front of us—and follow its thread into the next action. Everything in order, everything connected. When it comes to our actions, disorder and distraction are death. The unordered mind loses track of what’s in front of it—what matters—and gets distracted by thoughts of the future. The process is order, it keeps our perceptions in check and our actions in sync. It seems obvious, but we forget this when it matters most. Right now, if I knocked you down and pinned you to ground, how would you respond? You’d probably panic. And then you’d push with all your strength to get me off you. It wouldn’t work; just using my body weight, I would be able to keep your shoulders against the ground with little effort—and you’d grow exhausted fighting it. That’s the opposite of the process. The process is much easier. First, you don’t panic, you conserve your energy. You don’t do anything stupid like get yourself choked out by acting without thinking. You focus on not letting it get worse. Then you get your arms up, to brace and create some breathing room, some space. Now work to get on your side. From there you can start to break down my hold on you: grab an arm, trap a leg, buck with your hips, slide in a knee. It’ll take some time, but you’ll get yourself out. At each step, the person on top is forced to give a little up, until there’s nothing left. Then you’re free. Being trapped is just a position, not a fate. You get out of it by addressing and eliminating each part of that position through small, deliberate action—not by trying (and failing) to push it away with superhuman strength. With our business rivals, we rack our brains to think of some mind-blowing new product that will make them irrelevant, and, in the process, we take our eye off the ball. We shy away from writing a book or making a film even though it’s our dream because it’s so much work—we can’t imagine how we get from here to there. How often do we compromise or settle because we feel that the real solution is too ambitious or outside our grasp? How often do we assume that change is impossible because it’s too big? Involves too many different groups? Or worse, how many people are paralyzed by all their ideas and inspirations? They chase them all and go nowhere, distracting themselves and never making headway. They’re brilliant, sure, but they rarely execute. They rarely get where they want and need to go. All these issues are solvable. Each would collapse beneath the process. We’ve just wrongly assumed that it has to happen all at once, and we give up at the thought of it. We are A-to-Z thinkers, fretting about A, obsessing over Z, yet forgetting all about B through Y. We want to have goals, yes, so everything we do can be in service of something purposeful. When we know what we’re really setting out to do, the obstacles that arise tend to seem smaller, more manageable. When we don’t, each one looms larger and seems impossible. Goals help put the blips and bumps in proper proportion. When we get distracted, when we start caring about something other than our own progress and efforts, the process is the helpful, if occasionally bossy, voice in our head. It is the bark of the wise, older leader who knows exactly who he is and what he’s got to do. Shut up. Go back to your stations and try to think about what we are going to do ourselves, instead of worrying about what’s going on out there. You know what your job is, stop jawing and get to work. The process is the voice that demands we take responsibility and ownership. That prompts us to act even if only in a small way. Like a relentless machine, subjugating resistance each and every way it exists, little by little. Moving forward, one step at a time. Subordinate strength to the process. Replace fear with the process. Depend on it. Lean on it. Trust in it. Take your time, don’t rush. Some problems are harder than others. Deal with the ones right in front of you first. Come back to the others later. You’ll get there. The process is about doing the right things, right now. Not worrying about what might happen later, or the results, or the whole picture. Ryan Holiday is the best-selling author of The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph and two other books. He is an editor-at-large for The New York Observer and his monthly reading recommendations are found here. He currently lives in Austin, Texas.

What Pando just shared.....is absolutely without a doubt, a PRICELESS gift of intelligence, wisdom, experience and insight to anyone who wants to learn how to play and win at baccarat. It is SO PROFOUND, it cannot be ignored. It should be EMBRACED for the worth and value that it is. It even caused me to think that in sharing how to play and win in baccarat with anyone, that the knowledge, comprehension, and understanding of how to see what a shoe is doing and isn't doing, should be the first priority in the learning process. Though I already knew what Pando shared, I have never been able to say it as eloquently as he did. I hope that in agreeing totally with Pandos sharing of this, that it might help someone, anyone, who reads it and will give them pause to consider it for what it really means, and what it will do for them. Thank you Pando....for sharing it with all of us.....no matter what level of learning a person may be at.

Thank you for the compliment, which I don't receive lightly nor for granted. I am "old school" in that I believe a accolade, must be earned.

It makes me think of a classic and timeless story because of the great truth in it......."The Tortoise and the Hare" Who won?

I honestly don't know of any online place that has multiple tables to view. Not saying there isn't, but I honestly don't know of any. BetPhoenix.ag has two baccarat rooms, but you can only view one room at a time.

I don't think it is "strange" at all Brad. As you know, I played 100 shoes that way, to win +1 unit a shoe. You have one task to perform correctly in the shoe. So you focus everything you have, and that is to find a bet selection to make, that you have an eye for, with an observed and well thought out potential win. The thinking behind what I was doing to accomplish +1 unit a shoe, came from the basis of a baccarat exercise to prove to myself that 1 unit could be consistently won, before attempting to win 2 units a shoe consistently. It always amazes me, when you come back to the simple basics in what you learn again, and again. Less can actually equal more.

It took me about 5-7 years, as back in "those days" there wasn't any group of guys or internet forums that I was aware of, that worked together on sharing and helping each other. You felt fortunate if you met someone in the casino that you could learn a tip or two from. It was nothing compared to the awesome site available here, and the great group of dedicated people, that do genuinely share and care for each other in helping each other out. Learning to me is a life long endeavor, and like Pando shared, to never stop trying to become better. You guys are truly amazing.

From the time you became aware of baccart and started to play, how long would you honestly admit that it took you to learn how to win consistently? If you haven't learned to win consistently.....how long have you honestly been working at it?

When I got back on here, I had a couple of "bumps in the road" on the automatic monthly renewal. Pompano Mike was very helpful, understanding and gracious. First time "bump" I freaked out, thinking my computer had been hacked into. Wasn't funny then, but I can laugh about it now.

I use all three. Using a 1-2 up when I lose the 1 unit bet on low disparity, flat betting 1 on high disparity, then with a win flat betting, go to 2, and then 1-2 loop, till I lose a bet, and back to 1 and then to determine hi or low disparity betting. Really wish I had known Norm. Everything I read that he wrote, it just really speaks to me.

Do you use a negative (up as you lose), flat (same unit size) or positive (up as you win) betting strategy ???

Mentally........it is easy to want to get into a game and go from A to Z and skip all the "letters" in between wanting to win. That is the challenge , you have to go through all the other "letters" to win. Mentally....you HAVE to prepare yourself to win. It is far more important in preparing to win, than it is in expecting to win. Professional athletes spend 90% of their time preparing to win.....and 10% of their time in actual competition to win.

You are kindly welcome BRUCE88. I am not always here, but if I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Hello BRUCE88 Yes the monthly membership is 49.95. I am a paying/subscribing member here also. There isn't any rip-off here, and the truth is, you get more information, strategies, support,, because of the sincerity, honesty, and integrity of the people here I am not an advertiser, and not trying to sell you anything. I am here like many others....that have a true desire, and willingness to learn, practice and work hard to know how to win. So come on and join us.....and roll up your sleeves to start learning how to win.

Well said Keith, and genuinely appreciated. I can appreciate at times a person being "head strong"....but not to the extent of being less that respectful of a possible way of looking at something from a different perspective. To demean, belittle, and humiliate another.....is simply childish, and that is a business and personal recipe for failure of epic proportion. As grown men and women, we can respectfully agree to disagree and do so with dignity and class. I love what is happening here on BTC, and I am proud and grateful to be a member. Recently I have come to realize, some of the great people on here from different parts throughout the world. A world wide community of honest and sincere people, dedicated to their craft and skills.....sharing and caring......It doesn't get any better than that.

I fully agree with this viewpoint. One of the best ever......Norm

Highly suggest watching the movie "The Big Short".

Just as a win goal is necessary, a loss limit is equally important, and sometimes even more important. Example, you have a loss limit of 5 units, and you continue to play thinking you can get your 5 units back, and then you find you are now down -10 units. Lesson 101......don't chase your losses ! If I find I have made 5 losing decisions in flat betting......I know I am not seeing the shoe clearly. Time to STOP....and not make it WORSE. This is where DISCIPLINE will benefit you greatly. No excuses, and not blaming the shoe, not blaming the dealer, the responsibility is squarely upon the choices we make, and no one else. Each person is an "island unto themselves"......so make it a beautiful island, with worthwhile qualities.

I believe in and practice......a calm mind has a greater ability think clearly. Stress, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, apprehension, frustration, doubt, all are negative emotions that will defeat even the most seasoned players. I talked with a friend the other day that has played baccarat for 25 years, and he described a couple bets he made in a being "scary bets". It happens to everyone.....and like everything else in life, it isn't terrible when you it happens to you, it is how you learn to deal with it, and do so in a positive and creative manner. I just have to add, personally, my greatest weakness and negative is not getting enough rest at night. I try to do too much all the time, and I have to deal with that each day, and I am slowly cutting out extra work and jobs that I do, just to help others out.

Thank you Mike. I just wanted to pause, and remember we are all human beings behind this computer, and we need each other for positive reinforcement. Thank you also for the good advice and wisdom of using StatsForProfits, not just to track shoes, but also for bet tracking. Excellent advice.

I strongly suggest you watch the movie..."For love of the Game" with Kevin Costner in it. Watch what happens to him, alone in his room, after pitching a perfect game. See it and feel it.

I waited a couple of days to reply to Brads honesty, being transparent and open in him sharing not only about his loss, but also his honesty about being too tired. It's been said, doing what we do in casinos, "is a very lonely life". So pause for a moment and think about that statement. Why is it lonely? Simply because it feels like no one cares. I went to Vegas a few years back for a month. Yes, I won the entire time I was there. I went by myself purposely to not have any distractions. The last night there, I looked at my winnings, and I literally cried myself to sleep. Why? Because I had no one there that cared, and no one to share it with. I blamed no one but myself for that. I came back home with one of the emptiest feelings inside me I have ever known. As members of BTC, and as human beings.......we need to care......and genuinely care about each other. Be there to celebrate our wins, and be there even more to console, learn, and stand with each other in our losses. I know the shame and loneliness deep inside when a loss takes place, and you don't tell anyone, which only makes the darkness become deeper inside. So I commend you highly Brad, for having the guts to share your loss. No, it wasn't the end of the world, but it hurts none the less. A winner cares when he loses. A winner cares when he wins. A loser doesn't care if he loses and a loser doesn't care if he wins. Brad, you are a WINNER.......because you care, and that makes you the biggest winner of all. So what say you my brothers? Do you care?

Awesome post Fox, hope to hear more from you.