Why T-Hopper's order page no longer works.

Since T-Hopper has no financial resources, no bank accounts, credit cards, or anything, I tried to help him sell his books by letting him use my Paypal account. After he received a few orders, I wired him the money (I reside in Reno, he is in LV) so he could send the books to his customers. He never shipped anything. The customers complained and demanded refunds from Paypal. The refunds came out of my checking account (which is linked to the Paypal account). T-Hopper got the money, noone rec'd the books, the refunds came out of my checking account. Needless to say, I removed him from the Paypal account.

I know T-Hopper, and these accusations seem highly unlikely...

...there is any credence to this accusation, whatsoever. T-H is a very well respected member of the advantage player community, and one of the top minds in blackjack, IMO.

ANS

T-hopper is an obsessive perfectionist. He is probably making his writings optimal even at the eleventh hour since nothing is ever good enough for him. However, he has hig integrity and its just inconceivable to me that he'd skip with the money.
Give it a while longer. If he genuinely has "done an Imming" and this isn't just a misunderstanding, which I very much doubt, I'll refund your money personally.

I can think of for a reputable gambling source jumping ship with the cash. Imming produced some truly brilliant blackjack/ST software five or six years back, then vanished with the advance order money for the subsequent upgrade which never materialized.
But, like I said, I'd lay very long odds on T-hopper doing that.

I know TH was having problems with his program, the diff between exel 97 and 2000 etc. I agree with John May, he is a freak for perfection, but at the same time, in an Einstein sort of fashion, can't go out the door with a matching pair of socks on. He didn't set shop for business properly and his marketing skills need a boost. You went out of your way to help him, ended up being a co-signer, and got left holding the bag. I think he has trashed his sales of his programs because he wasn't getting too many sales and everything fell apart on him. I'm sure this was never what he intended to happen, and I do hope he will come to the surface again and see that all is not lost, pay his dues to all who deserve them, and press forward into the black.

just a statement of facts. And if you are such a good friend of T-Hoppers, I have a garage half filled with his stuff (for 2 years) that I would gladly transfer to YOUR garage. Please e-mail me ASAP for directions and when you will be over to pick them up. Then you can put him on your Paypal account.

I know his execution didn't match his intentions. They never do. I've known T-Hopper long enough, and lost enough money on him, to understand that betting on him is a longshot at best. I probably shouldn't have even made the post, but when I checked my account online and saw the subtractions, I was furious. The amount of money is insignificant, and if he would have asked me first, I probably would have said, "How much this time?". However, if you would like to refund it personally, that would be OK. I'll take Euros.

I think it was John May and several others touting he is literally the best card counter in the world. This goes to show you that an executioner of perfect statistics and sims mean absolutely nothing when all the marbles are laid on the table. There is only one person in the world who's table skills I trust and bet on, and that's me.

First of all, I don't think a public board is the appropriate place for such a petty topic. The last time I went on a trip with Al Mundy a few months ago, I immediately handed him thousands of dollars of profit based on his share of what I won before he even arrived. He has a very selective memory about these sort of things.

It makes no sense to publish 6 books for 3 people. After 2 weeks went by without a single order, I proposed to refund the money and sell just the systems in electronic form at a lower price just to cover the refunds.

When you claim to be a "BJ Master" publicly, then any behavior relating to that claim is subject to public scrutiny. The amount of money is petty, but the behavior was contemptible. Plus, I gave you a chance to repay that and previous "loans" and rec'd no reply. And, speaking of selective memories, the "thousands" that you gave me didn't cover previous "loans" and bail-outs. I also left some of that with you as part of a new bank. What happened to that bank? Also, you didn't have to "publish" the books, just print them and mail them - or even send an e-copy. You chose to spend the money elsewhere and ignore your responsibilty.

of the game doesn't ensure success. Ian Andersen wrote a chapter in Burning the Tables listing 16 critical traits that make up the psychological profile of successful players. Mastering those is just as, or more, important than the simple logistics of playing.

he is about the most technically proficient player I've seen and can bring home the money. However, technical proficiency is about the least important ingredient in success either in card counting or any other area of life. I only entered this discussion because it appeared that Mundy was being discredited by people who neither of these gentlemen. I know them both. I know that T-hopper is not dishonest and didn't just steal anyone's money. He probably just didn't get around to it. I think he should have sent out the three orders even if he planned on making an ebook for future copies. I believe Mr Mundy has been generous and patient.

Without first mastering the mechanics the 16 traits Ian speaks of are useless.If a person is to build a bridge without mastering the mechanics, it would stand a good chance of falling apart regardless of what other traits are applied.

Besides,you're missing the point in my previous post, which has nothing to do with your comment. An expert blackjack statician does not always = expert card counter,does it? This is not directed at T-Hopper, but you seem to be implying he's a loser. My guess is he's a good card counter. I dont think he's trying to scam anyone. Why embarass him on the internet? A privite e-mail would have been more respectful.

In the light of T-hopper's comments below I can't get involved. There is no way I can no way the truth involved here, but I have to give T-hopper the benefit of the doubt because he's been around for years contributing his insight.
I appreciate your motives are sincere, I just don't want to get involved in yet another personality feud.

I think it was John May and several others touting he is literally the best card counter in the world.

Firstly, I've never seen T-hopper play. However, many CCCafers have played with him and said that he had some extraordinary abilities, quite independently of each other. I tend to believe them.

You must also remember that I don't think much of card counting as a form of advantage play, nor do I place very high earning value on great technical proficiency. A played who uses five side-counts or whatever gets at best a couple of tenths of % edge over an average player. A competent shuffle tracker might win a full .5% more. A good hole-card player might win at the rate of 7 or 8% or more, while some advantage play methods outside of terrestial blackjack altogether make even these returns look derisory.

There is only one person in the world who's table skills I trust and bet on, and that's me

Not a bad philosophy.

in a Salvation Army truck...grin

It is necessary, yes. But there are certain skills that one needs to posess to succeed in the game of life. If you are successful, then you have them. If you don't have them then you will fail at virtually anything you attempt. There many little things that you do that will determine whether you have a positive or negative expectation in the game of life. If your ev in the game of life is too negative then no amount of skill at the game of bj will help. There many very highly skilled people in thousands of different areas who remain on the bottom. Others have temporary success but just continue to fall down because they don't have what it takes to hold things together.

There is only one person in the world who's table skills I trust and bet on, and that's me

Not a bad philosophy.

A very risk averse philosophy that gives up an enourmous amount of ev. The people who have made the most money at virtually every venture are those who have put their money behind other people. You just don't put all your eggs in one basket.