I have always been fascinated by playing card manipulation, partly because there is an analytical component to card games. For the masses, Hollywood has been responsible for publicizing card gaming, through Rounders and 21.
However, the appeal of gambling as a profession is attributed to Jon Chang, who spearheaded the MIT card club into a lucrative business. “Lucrative” is certainly not exactly an accurate description of the profession anymore, but much can be gleaned from gaming history nonetheless.
The game of choice at the time was Blackjack, which was simple enough at the time produce a probabilistic advantage to the player. The fundamental premise behind winning in Blackjack is to keep count of which cards have been cycled out, and increase your bet when there is a higher chance of obtaining face cards (table is hot). Casinos have since implemented strategies to discourage card counting. One frequent finding in casinos is simply shoe recycling. Dealers and pit bosses have much lower thresholds to reshuffling the shoe even after about 50 cards in a 6-deck shoe. In Vegas, the tables with more lenient shuffling policies tend to have a higher minimum bet. Overall, winning in Blackjack consistently is more of a chore. Read more…
misc
work
Several months ago, I signed up for TruthOnCall, a new VC company designed to survey physicians on commonly asked questions. As a physician, you can offer to complete surveys via SMS for reimbursement $10 apiece. From a financial standpoint, the deal sounded potentially lucrative, depending on the number of surveys you complete.
Unfortunately, I have yet to receive any surveys in the months that I’ve enrolled. Perhaps they are a front to harvest physician data? Or have they run their fund dry?
In actuality, I think that there is a limited market for ophthalmology-based medical opinions. The service appears to mediate data harvesting. In order for the physician to receive a survey, there much be a client investor on the other end to field medical questions. No funding, no money. Simple as that.
Are there any other physicians out there who have actually received surveys or been paid by TruthOnCall? Let me know!
medicine
medicine
I saw a guy in the clinic several weeks ago who sprayed Hongo Killer in his eye. He had a 100% epithelial defect with descemet’s folds. The cornea was pretty much in endothelial shock, although he was not hypotonous.
I chuckled when he showed me the bottle. I suppose that it was entertaining only because of my limited Spanish knowledge and I had been basking in our underground clinic’s flickering fluorescent lights the entire day.
medicine
medicine, ophthalmology
I saw this on one of the floors of the building where I work. The interesting aspect is that there are many other parts of the building of similar age without this sign. I wonder what my patients would think if I wore an N95 mask every day.
misc
health
