Playing as a Pro

[Tarzan]

I play all over, Bojack... but live in the Atlantic City area, so play AC more than anything else primarily because Vegas and a few other choice places would be one hell of a daily commute! You are in disagreement that the game itself has deteriorated if you compare playing 20 years ago to playing today due to rules changes and the house gouging it a bit more for increased HA?

[Finn Dog]

All this also underscores DV Cellini's point in A Card Counter's Guide To Casino Surveillance: get on the "protected list" (the list the casinos deny exists) and you've really got it made in the shade!

Indeed--and as always--in every walk of life, it's who you know.

Now if one could only think of a creative way to get on that dad-gummed list (of course you might have to give up half your action to Fabrizio...or else!).

[FLASH1296]

I play all over, Bojac

I play A.C. the least, as the games are rarely worthwhile.

This year, thus far, I have played Mississippi, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey.

I am getting a little long in the tooth for being "on the road" so much.

[Bojack1]

Originally Posted by FLASH1296

I play all over, Bojac

I play A.C. the least, as the games are rarely worthwhile.

This year, thus far, I have played Mississippi, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey.

I am getting a little long in the tooth for being "on the road" so much.

Fair enough, I understand. I just think your statistics on professional play are based on no more than your own play. I personally know quite a few more than 1% of the 200 or 300 pros you conceive to be out there to be making much more than what you deem to be the high end salary. I wish you luck in your playing, if a grind is what you prepare for, a grind is what you'll get.

[sagefr0g]

i've played a fair amount of days but only in about nine different joints and for not quite four years now.
i've seen what were fairly obviously players who were counting cards.
so i'm just curious as i've never spotted a team. would most knowledgeable members of this forum be able to spot a team in action?

[ihate17]

Here we have two pros who see things differently mainly because their methods of play of very different. Flash will grind away a profit playing all over the place at lower to medium type of stakes, while Bojack will play often as part of a team that will play much higher stakes and also play all over the place.

In my case, I do not consider myself a pro. 90% of my play is between California and Nevada but over the past 15 years I have averaged an income from blackjack around the lower amount of Flash's figures for a pro and I play perhaps 300-400 hours per year. That may be a lot of hours for a part timer but I also work full time and blackjack has been a nice suppliment to my income.
Where I think Flash may be off is his believing that he can not regularly be betting black chips. Often my minimum bet is $50 and my spreads are not small, yet I seldom play where I am the big bettor. I understand Flash's concerns about Indian casinos but I know of enough of them where a spread of $50-$500 or more, can seem like insignificant bets when compared to the higher bets of some of my table mates. There are also locations where there are several casinos only a short drive from each other so I can keep sessions short.
So I think Flash could make more money but also agree with him that there is a limit. Many years ago I stopped upping my bets to a higher level because I knew it would limit how many hours and how many places I could play in. I just think Flash stopped upping his too soon.

ihate17

[shadroch]

I'm very confused. Where has Flash ever said he was a grinder? Most of his posts talk of high limit rooms and such, and of the suites he supposedly gets in the hotels he claims to be barred from playing in.

[kewljason]

From reading this threat, I've notice there seems to be a negative opinion of us grinders. 5 years ago, I became unemployed from my $13/hour job with about 5 grand to my name and have supported myself in "flashes" 25K-40K range ever since, while slowly building my BR so that this year I may break that barrier, and can continue rising towards the 6 figure range. I've had fun, made about the same money I was making and haven't been robbed at gunpoint as I was 3 times during the last year of my job. What's wrong with that?? I'm proud to be a grinder!

[PrinceDragon]

made about the same money I was making and haven't been robbed at gunpoint as I was 3 times during the last year of my job

Pizza delivery? I had a similar job b4

What's wrong with that?? I'm proud to be a grinder

Absolutely nothing wrong.
Good to know that you enjoy what you doing...Wish i could say the same...but

Good Cards to us all !!!

P.D.

[johndoe]

Originally Posted by ChefJJ

Not bad to supplement a pension or retirement account.

My entirely uneducated guess is that this is probably the largest group of AP's. They have the time, bankroll, and freedom to play regularly. Sounds like a pretty good arrangement, really, for those retired or semi-retired and who enjoy the game.