BillytheBJkid said:
Are any of you guys professional blackjack players that do this for a living? How much money can you make counting cards a year? How much did you make when you first started out?
After laughing at some of the posts and remarks you've made in your short time here, I think you should look into starting over.
Hi.... Welcome to Ken's BJinfo site.
There are many Pro players that frequent here and believe it or not, they are extremely helpful. They made a living at a very tough PROFESSION, much of which you will not learn in any book. So you come here to pick their brain and see what tidbits of info their willing to offer free of charge.
And many times only tidbits of their secrets they may spoon out, are held close to their chests. Don't expect to receive them.
IF you have read just the one book you keep refering to, PBJaaB, then you have a lot.... I mean A LOT... more reading and studying to do.
Just to answer you question, How much money can you make counting cards a year, in a simple one line..... the way your going about it.... Zero.
Just to give you an example:
In a year and a half's time I've read 40+ books, read probably every single post/thread/archive on here, BJ21, bjmath, and a few others, use on a regular basis many of qfits programs, practiced for hours per day for months straight before laying down a single bet. Counted down 100's of decks... and still learning new things to add to my arsenal of weapons to take on a very strong opponent.
Be prepared for a ride because if you think its going to be a slow and steady rise upward... your going to be surely let down. Don't forget to keep good records because you will trick yourself into believing your doing good but in reality your walking a fine line.
In 4 months you'll be up 600 units and then the BJ gods turn the tables on you while you watch in horror as your giving 550 units back on the worst string of losing sessions you could imagine. Welcome to the game, and if you thinks this doesn't happen because you see in a book that the win rate should be "X".... be prepared when "X" doesn't show up for the show.
So how much can you make in a year?
First, here's some questions for you to ponder: How much can you bet? How much time do you have to play?
Here's a simple answer...
If your only counting cards,
if you play perfectly
and your playing 6.5/8d game
with decent rules
in uncrowded conditions
with a 1-12 or 1-16 bet spread
and Wong out at -2
expect to win 2-4x your unit per hour. $5 min bet = $10-$20/ hr
MCdonalds pays $8-10 hr with no risk.
find a better game and the win rate goes up....
learn better ways to beat the game and you may win even more.
are you beginning to see the picture clearer?
IF your a $25 player expect about $50-$100/hr... is that good enough for you yet?
so you work 40hrs and
always win .. thats $2,000-$4,000/ week
think you can do that... always win?
No sarcasm here, just the plain facts, and I can become a sarcastic prick very quickly.
BJC