A lot of people talk about the golden days of yesteryear, with early surrender, single deck dealt down to the last card and so and on so forth. Do you think that blackjack is dead, now that more and more games are 6:5 and H17 without surrender, or is blackjack just as appealing an opportunity today as it ever was?
Is blackjack still viable?
- Thread starter Meistro
- Start date
That's a really good point that I don't think gets brought up very frequently. Casinos have proliferated, not only across America, but also throughout the rest of the world. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the opportunities haven't increased or decreased they've simply changed and that a smart AP can always find new and more profitable ways to win at gambling.
KewlJ
Well-Known Member
Blackjack is NOT dead...that's just ridiculous. Were conditions better 20-30 years ago? Sure. But I never knew those conditions. For younger guys (in mid 30's I still consider myself young 
), we have never known much but h17, no surrender, shoe games 75% penetration. That's what we learned to play with, and tailored our games to beat.
There is a real generational divide on this topic. I am not guessing about your age, because I think you were just throwing the topic out there for discussion. But I frequently see some posters on various sites, talking about how blackjack is a waste of time today and no one can make any real money. And they always are older guys who played back in the day and are just frustrated that todays games are not what they were in 1980's or 1990's. I am sure they are right, but players like myself just never knew those conditions. We pretty much have always known current conditions. That's what we play, that's what we tailor our game to.
I can only speak for myself, but for me, yes blackjack is still very much viable.
), we have never known much but h17, no surrender, shoe games 75% penetration. That's what we learned to play with, and tailored our games to beat.There is a real generational divide on this topic. I am not guessing about your age, because I think you were just throwing the topic out there for discussion. But I frequently see some posters on various sites, talking about how blackjack is a waste of time today and no one can make any real money. And they always are older guys who played back in the day and are just frustrated that todays games are not what they were in 1980's or 1990's. I am sure they are right, but players like myself just never knew those conditions. We pretty much have always known current conditions. That's what we play, that's what we tailor our game to.
I can only speak for myself, but for me, yes blackjack is still very much viable.
Splittingten's
Banned
If you bet quarters it's still very bearable. Some of the side begs around cash be very profitable, like kings bounty and lucky ladies, even lucky lucky.
The smaller toy play the more you need to hunt. 6 to 5 games do duck but after seeing the action the big casinos have been getting with these crap games I don't blame them.
The smaller toy play the more you need to hunt. 6 to 5 games do duck but after seeing the action the big casinos have been getting with these crap games I don't blame them.
You will not hear me making that waste of time statement.
I am no spring chicken, but I do not let that bother me at all. I manage to find games that are identical to those found in the 1980's, and 90's.
Really? Then why be on a BJ forum? Nothing you can learn about those other opportunities here.
Straight card counting is not a waste of time please, and you do not need to play tens of thousands of hours to beat the game. You apparently use other methods to beat the game at a higher EV percentage than a straight CC good for you. Until you compare levels of play, someone playing at a lower EV win percentage may be making much more actual dollars on average per hour than someone who has your talents, so obviously you have to be careful what you say. No offense, but it sounds like you are bragging without knowing anything about the other posters.
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KewlJ
Well-Known Member
I suppose it's all in how you look at it. I love the game of blackjack and I love that I have been able to support myself from card counting for 14 years now. I am not rich, but I live what I consider a comfortable life and it has paid for my home.
I personally did a bit of hole-carding for a brief period and I didn't care for winning that way. While it's not cheating, you do have information that you as the player are not supposed to have. It just felt a bit dirty to me. I have no problem with others that employ that technique. It is not cheating and it is the casino's responsibility to protect. It's just not for me.
Now, I suppose you are talking about something, more than hole-carding, probably something I am not familiar with and is beyond my capabilities. And that's ok. Like I said, I love making a living playing a game, I still enjoy and using the old fashioned method of card counting. Maybe that does make me a dinosaur.
KewlJ
Well-Known Member
Excellent post and points Bosox.
I really don't track my play by hours and haven't for a few years now. I track by rounds played because that is what matters. I play roughly 60,000 rounds per year. This year, my year ended prematurely (medically), so I am at 46,000 rounds. But my normal 60,000 rounds comes from just about 1000 hours per year, over the last few years. About 20 hours per week. I only play about 3-4 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. I am only out of the house 5-6 hours a day and that includes a meal and travel time. Just a few years ago, I used to spend double (easy), maybe triple that time, getting in about 80,000 to 100,000 rounds. So, I've become more efficient while maintaining the same income (Ev) range.
More important than measuring by income, or hours or rounds played is measuring how happy one is and on that scale, I am the richest man on the planet, I really am.
It's kind of funny, because at this moment, I am recovering from a major medical situation and am in a good amount of discomfort and will be for a few more weeks. To put it bluntly....I am cranky as hell.
But your post and responding to it made me remember, just how happy I am overall.....So I thank you for that.
KewlJ
Well-Known Member
My point exactly. 1000 hours a year in smoky, dirty casinos is way too much and was the point of my post. Wasted hours when much better and profitable opportunities are abound. Whether it's blackjack or some other game, the idea is to get the money much faster. This way you have more time outside the casinos to enjoy it!
More important than measuring by income, or hours or rounds played is measuring how happy one is and on that scale, I am the richest man on the planet, I really am.
It's kind of funny, because at this moment, I am recovering from a major medical situation and am in a good amount of discomfort and will be for a few more weeks. To put it bluntly....I am cranky as hell.
KewlJ, I hope you will be well soon. Sounds like you have a good life going for you with plenty of incentive to get well. Don't overdo it, or try to push ahead your recovery time, good luck.
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One famous practitioner used a wheelchair, when he wasn't in need of one.
I think I'll just recruit a 5 foot asian girl to spot for me instead