Farewell

It has come this. My final newsletter. This will also be the last thing I ever write under the label of the “Wizard of Odds.” After this, I shall be just me, Michael Shackleford. Let me start by thanking and acknowledging some people who played a public as well as behind-the-scenes roll in this web site the years I owned and ran it from 1997 to 2014.

Webstorm Media – In the early 2000’s I formed a partnership with Webstorm, an Internet media company out of Montreal. They gave the web site a much-needed facelift, although may have been a bit aggressive with the advertising. In the end, it didn’t work out with them, but we had an amicable exit agreement.

Michael Bluejay – After trying to manage everything by myself after the Webstorm era, Michael came along to help. Under Michael’s watch, revenue increased significantly. He also wrote some newsletter content and the only game analysis on the site not written by me on the coin-based game, Flip-It. In addition, he kept the back end running, which is not easy. As a gambler himself, he provided much advice on content, although not always followed. He was an overall great sidekick. When he chose to move on there was a conflict about how to handle that, but we worked through it. He still can be found as a contributing member of the Wizard of Vegas forum.

Alex B. – I’m not sure Alex would want me to publish his last name, but he became my business partner after Michael Bluejay left until 2014. Alex and I shared many fun times together during the heyday of the site. I lost touch with him but hope he is doing well.

JB – My mysterious JB is a computer programming savant who wrote most of the calculators and games you see at Wizard of Odds. They are perhaps the most popular features of the site. His video poker strategy maker is a marvel of computer programming. I think he wouldn’t mind me saying he could be difficult to work with at times, but I have found that is often the case with off-the-charts geniuses. When I sold the “Wizard” sites, he faded from the scenes. I haven’t heard from him in years but hope he is doing well.

Bodog/Bovada staff – For many years Bodog/Bovada were the exclusive advertiser on Wizard of Odds. In addition to doing business, we shared many fun times together. They treated me well. However, in the end, they run a business and when the numbers went south, we went our separate ways. I still say they are a good sportsbook/casino and have no regrets over my many years promoting them.

Heather Ferris – Heather has been my live stream partner since January 2020. Over the years, we have recorded well over 200 live streams. Here is a link to our first one. She also did the videography for some of the gambling instructional videos. Heather and I remain close friends to this day. You can continue to follow her at her web site Vegas Aces and YouTube channel.

Angela Marie – Angela is the red-haired model you see in most of my gambling instructional videos. She continues to star in many videos at our sister site LCB.org as well as the Vegas Aces YouTube channel. Angela and I continue to be friends and I’m proud to say I attended her wedding.

In 2014, I sold the “Wizard” sites to an online media group that already owned other successful affiliate web sites. I continued to work for the new owners until now. My boss likes his privacy so I’ll refer to him as JC. My relationship with JC went very well the entire time. I was happy working for him and he was always patient with my many vacations and workload that I wanted otherwise. His staff is also very professional and easy to work with. JC’s knack at doing business is something I’m very impressed by and a gift I certainly don’t have. I admit I was worried at first he would promote questionable casinos on the site when I sold it, but I never once had an issue with him over an advertiser. I honestly believe he cares about honor in the industry and doing business with good casinos only that treat players honestly and pay winners.

This is my newsletter number 446 and the last one I will write. That includes only the ones I could find. At first, we didn’t post them on the web site but they existed as Emails only. Several years ago, I went back and posted those I could find, but I’m quite sure many got lost. The earliest one I could find was from July 4, 2003. They have been a way to document places I’ve traveled and adventures I had. Years from now I’ll probably reread them to rekindle those memories. I do apologize for a gap in newsletters from 2008 to 2017 when I didn’t write any.

“I believe in America.” – Bonasera

That is the opening line in ‘The Godfather.’ It is one of my favorite movie quotes. It is also something I agree with 100%. It has been my pleasure and privilege to do something I enjoyed most of my adult career. Hopefully I have given back more than I have received. I’d like to think I have made many people better gamblers and fostered an appreciation and respect for the mathematical approach to analyzing casino games.

You would think the players gain is the casino’s loss and the other side of the table wouldn’t like me. However, I received more compliments and kind words from the dealer’s side of the table. Many people in table game management said if it wasn’t for the Wizard of Odds they wouldn’t know what they were doing. Many dealers said they learned whatever game they dealt, usually craps, from my videos.

I never took a side in the player vs. casino debate. In my opinion, the world would be a better place if there were unfettered access to truthful information. It has always been my goal to publish the cold unbiased mathematical truth about casino games and then let the chips fall where they may (if you’ll excuse the pun). I will admit that moderating my forum has not always been easy and fun, engendering many insults, many lawsuit and two death threats. However, I don’t really care. It was all worth it. I wouldn’t change much if I could do it all over again.

Going forward, I plan to mostly leave the world of casino gambling behind. If I see a good play, I’ll take it. However, I won’t aggressively look either. If a former good client asks for my help, I’d be happy to entertain the idea.

Otherwise, I have said all I have to say on the topic of gambling and ready to move onto other hobbies as I enter retirement at the age of 61. I have always been a fitness enthusiast and will continue to run, hike, bicycle, kayak, swim, stand-up-paddleboard and any outdoor form of exercise that I come across. Last year, I moved to the Pacific northwest, where my interest has also turned towards the circus arts, mainly magic, juggling and unicycling. I continue to love adventure traveling and am sure I’ll do more long treks including returns to the Camino de Santiago. If that isn’t enough, my Spanish and musical instrument level could always stand improvement.

As for the Wizard sites and this newsletter, there is already a replacement to fill my shoes. A formal announcement hasn’t been made yet, as of the time of this writing. However, I assure you my site remains in good and capable hands. Perhaps you’ll hear more about the new Wizard, if I may call him that, in the next newsletter.

In closing, thank you for following my life through this newsletter. I wish you all good health, love and happiness. My final words come from Effie Trinket, the game hostess in the Hunger Games movies – “May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor.”

Written by: Michael Shackleford