Newbie: Card Counting, possible?

[x8f90]

Ok, I am probably way too late in the scene, as usual. But I do know the story about the MIT students, some card counting techniques, and basic Blackjack strategy (stay when the dealer is showing a low card, hit when dealer showing a high one, etc.).

My question is assuming you do not get caught is card counting still possible? Or has Vegas casinos been able to crack down on these guys/gals?

Is doing something like the MIT kids possible?

[rollem411]

Originally Posted by x8f90

Ok, I am probably way too late in the scene, as usual. But I do know the story about the MIT students, some card counting techniques, and basic Blackjack strategy (stay when the dealer is showing a low card, hit when dealer showing a high one, etc.).

My question is assuming you do not get caught is card counting still possible? Or has Vegas casinos been able to crack down on these guys/gals?

Is doing something like the MIT kids possible?

Yes you can card count if you do not get caught, but pretty much anything is possible until you get caught. The MIT students are too well known so I don't think they would be able to pull anything off like that again, but I do believe there are other teams out there.

[x8f90]

Originally Posted by rollem411

Yes you can card count if you do not get caught, but pretty much anything is possible until you get caught. The MIT students are too well known so I don't think they would be able to pull anything off like that again, but I do believe there are other teams out there.

Gotcha. That is really what I am talking about. If I start a team tomorrow, no one will know us, hense we'd start out fresh. I am thinking, by the time I become well known I'd have enough money to invest in other things, no?

I just don't know if such a possibility exists anymore... maybe they closed all of the possiblities to give anyone such advantages.

[shadroch]

When one door closes,another one opens.
Plenty of chances out there.But a couple of beginners starting a team had best go very slow.

[rogue1]

Ken Uston wrote The Big Player about 15 years before Semyon Dukach and the other M.I.T. folks did their thing. My point is the casinos were well aware of team play and the M.I.T. team made all kinds of money. I'm sure you can do just as well today.

[Sonny]

Organized card counting teams have been operating in casinos for over 30 years. The fact that the MIT guys could still get away with it 30 years later should show how slow the casinos are at catching us.

-Sonny-

[x8f90]

Originally Posted by shadroch

When one door closes,another one opens.
Plenty of chances out there.But a couple of beginners starting a team had best go very slow.

Yup, going slow is my intention. I am thinking about buying a nice blackjack table and the whole casino setup in my house to practice (actually, I got most of the pieces already). Then, maybe get a friend or 2 in it with me. I am thinking once we try this at home, we can go down to a local casino and try it with a couple thousand investment between the two-three of us.

Originally Posted by rogue1

Ken Uston wrote The Big Player about 15 years before Semyon Dukach and the other M.I.T. folks did their thing. My point is the casinos were well aware of team play and the M.I.T. team made all kinds of money. I'm sure you can do just as well today.

That is the impression that I am getting. Do a lot of people do this, especially from this board? If it is at all possible I don't see why so many people aren't making a career out of it.

[rollem411]

Originally Posted by x8f90

If it is at all possible I don't see why so many people aren't making a career out of it.

It's a whole lot different when you are putting your actual bet down at the table. I thought I was ready to hit the casino. I didn't keep to my spread and that was what killed me. I think the #1 reason people don't do it is because they can't handle having a large losing session. They either just quit or start chasing their money and lose everything. I guess I wasn't confident in my ability and that's what held me back, but I just keep practicing and now I will stick to my gameplay.

[x8f90]

Originally Posted by rollem411

It's a whole lot different when you are putting your actual bet down at the table. I thought I was ready to hit the casino. I didn't keep to my spread and that was what killed me. I think the #1 reason people don't do it is because they can't handle having a large losing session. They either just quit or start chasing their money and lose everything. I guess I wasn't confident in my ability and that's what held me back, but I just keep practicing and now I will stick to my gameplay.

Sounds like you're saying, "you have to know when to get up," yes?

[shadroch]

Originally Posted by x8f90

Yup, going slow is my intention. I am thinking about buying a nice blackjack table and the whole casino setup in my house to practice (actually, I got most of the pieces already). Then, maybe get a friend or 2 in it with me. I am thinking once we try this at home, we can go down to a local casino and try it with a couple thousand investment between the two-three of us.



That is the impression that I am getting. Do a lot of people do this, especially from this board? If it is at all possible I don't see why so many people aren't making a career out of it.

Its more of a part-time job,or a well paying hobby.While there are hundreds of fulltime players,there are few that are on this board much.