New Player - Is it worth Starting?

[aelangford]

I enjoy game theory, and am fed up with poker, so I thought I'd examine blackjack. Before I start though, I have a question-is it worth it? I mean, firstly; is sustained, appreciable profit possible, and secondly, is the game significantly challenging to give fullfilment? Any thoughts welcome.

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by aelangford

I enjoy game theory, and am fed up with poker, so I thought I'd examine blackjack. Before I start though, I have a question-is it worth it? I mean, firstly; is sustained, appreciable profit possible, and secondly, is the game significantly challenging to give fullfilment? Any thoughts welcome.

sustained, appreciable profit is possible.
don't know if you would find the game significantly challenging to give fullfilment. i for one do.
you would still be able to employ game theory as there is an on going cat and mouse game between advantage players and the casino staff.
i'm curious what made you fed up with poker?

best regards,
mr fr0g :D

[aelangford]

Well, over the years, I've been a winning player. I hate people who brag all the time about winning, but for the sake of my point I'll tell you that I could have quit the day job. So I'm not tired of poker from the turnover point of view. I was just playing a hand recently, thinking deeply about the situation, making complicated calculations and specific reads on a player. I played the hand very well in comparision to him, in fact he played every street very poorly. But he caught his miracle after we finally got the money in. I've taken every bad beat under the sun, but this time for some reason I thought to myself, why bother? Why play a game where perfect play can possibly subject you to tough losses from someone who played significantly worse? After a background in international-level chess, I just couldn't take it anymore. Anyway, did that answer your question?

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by aelangford

Well, over the years, I've been a winning player. I hate people who brag all the time about winning, but for the sake of my point I'll tell you that I could have quit the day job. So I'm not tired of poker from the turnover point of view. I was just playing a hand recently, thinking deeply about the situation, making complicated calculations and specific reads on a player. I played the hand very well in comparision to him, in fact he played every street very poorly. But he caught his miracle after we finally got the money in. I've taken every bad beat under the sun, but this time for some reason I thought to myself, why bother? Why play a game where perfect play can possibly subject you to tough losses from someone who played significantly worse? After a background in international-level chess, I just couldn't take it anymore. Anyway, did that answer your question?

i enjoy the game of chess also. not even close to international level but i can appreciate it. the way you take advantage in chess of timing, board position and the relative power of the pieces has similarities to what goes on in advantage play blackjack. you will probably enjoy that perspective.
i can appreciate your comments about the beat you took in poker and how it goes in that game. you'll have plenty of similar disapointing and relatively unexpected beats like that with advantage play blackjack also. there is an element of the gamble in blackjack advantage play just as there is in astute poker play.

best regards,
mr fr0g :D

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by aelangford

Well, over the years, I've been a winning player. I hate people who brag all the time about winning, but for the sake of my point I'll tell you that I could have quit the day job. So I'm not tired of poker from the turnover point of view. I was just playing a hand recently, thinking deeply about the situation, making complicated calculations and specific reads on a player. I played the hand very well in comparision to him, in fact he played every street very poorly. But he caught his miracle after we finally got the money in. I've taken every bad beat under the sun, but this time for some reason I thought to myself, why bother? Why play a game where perfect play can possibly subject you to tough losses from someone who played significantly worse? After a background in international-level chess, I just couldn't take it anymore. Anyway, did that answer your question?

If you can't take bad beats, you won't like blackjack. The difference between a great count and a horrible count is only a few percent, and you have to put up what usually ends up being your entire wager before you see a single card. The variance is crushing.

That said, the technical aspects of being a good BJ player are a lot easier than being a good poker player. You know exactly what you are going to be playing against before you even enter the casino, and you've done all your math at home. The big difference is that the casino is no longer a neutral party. The more challenging game is against them- being able to get your money down on the table when it counts.