kewljason said:
I would ask you the same question that I asked of blackchipjim. What kind of RoR are you playing with? When people are talking about 3/4 of there BR being wiped out in a trip, or saying things like "the last session just flat out took my bankroll entirely", such as jim said, it kind of indicates that they are playing with a relatively high RoR. Maybe something like full kelly with no resizing?
Which is fine if your bankroll is replenishible and you aren't dependant on that money and that's what you choose to play. Players like myself, who's BR is not replenishible or not easily replenishible, can not risk losing thier BR, so we play a ridiculously low RoR. Often less that 1%. I understand that most people are not in that situation and are willing to endure a little more risk, but you should realize that losing your bankroll becomes a real possibility under those circumstances, especially if you don't resize down at some point.
You are hitting the nail right on the head, KJ. One of the most difficult things for me, and I suspect the majority of card counters, is to keep within a very low RoR. The reason this is difficult for me is that the bankroll required to, say, play a $25 min game, $25,000, makes the resulting $25 an hour win rate (more or less) seem too small to be worthwhile. It's just a matter of sizing.
If you are playing $10 min games, and you have the requisite $10,000 bankroll, you will easily begin to feel bored at the unexciting pace of reward--not to mention, alarmed at the numerous occasions where a healthy chunk of your bankroll is at risk. So that combination of "bored and alarmed" is enough to turn any $10 player toward a job at Burger King where they can make the same amount on good and bad days alike, same boring pace, plus comps (er,,,I mean, free meals--lol).
I can't tell you why card counters count!
Is it the thought of getting something for nothing? It doesn't take long to realize that this isn't true.
Is it the idea of beating that demon called
The House? That may be part of it. Self righteous bunch, aren't we?
Is it the idea of exchanging brainpower for dollars? I think you undervalue the worth of your brainpower.
Is it the independence with which you are able to forge your own way? I think a small "legitimate" business would be more lucrative, plus win the esteem and envy of many everyday people around you.
Is it the occasional large scores that give you that exhilarating feeling of being on top of the world? Wait a minute, average it out over all those hills and valleys of play to that miserly win rate that is your real win. I think you may be a gambler at heart, hidden under the camouflage of science--seek help.
Or is it that you just like doing it?
You like your surroundings.
You like the game of blackjack.
You like beating the unbeatable, the demon house.
You like being able to make a living at it, or if you're a recreational player, you like the extra cash.
You like the free hotel rooms and dining in fine restaurants afforded by earned comps.
You like the feeling of being your own man (or woman).
You like meeting people from all walks of life.
You like listening to the goofy remarks of ploppies at the table.
You like the idea of being "in the know."
You like the vacation and charged atmosphere of casinos.
You like the challenge
--scouting for beatable games
--playing with unperturbed faith in the science of the game
--running sims to analyze and improve your play
--keeping abreast of the latest changes in card counting and related advantage play.
Hey, if you just like it...
you're a lifer!
