To those who are not pros

Royam

Well-Known Member
#1
I assume you have a job and that BJ is played during your free time.

How do your significant others react? Is it not too much of a social life killer?

Royam
 
#2
I'm happily divorced!

They complained and accused. If you can get them involved then you will not have a problem. The more educated she or he is the better for you. Then at least you can educate them to what is going on. If they are dummies and greedy then you have a problem. They think you are gambling away thier money. Good luck LTC
 
#3
Teach

What I have found is that only those who understand the game stand any chance of appreciating what we do. Teach your loved one how to play, then they will have a greater appreciation for what you do. Most everyone I have met who I do not choose to teach the game to just sees it as a "lucky system." My wife understands because she was open to learning, but definitley not mastering, the game. I think another thing that helps is the passing of time. The more time passes, the more money you will make. It is hard to say it is luck after a few years of consistent money making.

My biggest suggestion to you is to make sure to keep your money separate if you are playing as a hobby. There shouldn't be much of a problem if your hobby is to spend money on this investment, rather than somethng such as fishing. It may take a while to build a bankroll, but knowing that the money (up or down) is part of a hobby, rather than stealing from the savings account is well worth it. If you play within your means and educate your significant other, this should be quite a fun hobby.

HJ
 

Royam

Well-Known Member
#4
Thx LTC and Hal

She is educated (and probably smarter than me) but has no interest in BJ so far.

Rather than scarrying her off with counting systems and cover strategies, I was thinking of catching her interest just the way mine got caugth: by reading a novel like "Bringing Down the House".

Any suggestion?

Royam
 
#7
Beating the bad rep of gambling

Unfortunately women talk to one another, and almost every woman knows another who has gotten screwed up by getting involved with a guy who gambles. Gambling RIGHTLY has a bad reputation among intelligent people.

However to understand and appreciate the difference between gambling and advantage play takes more than just an intelligent person. You need a desire for adventure, self-confidence, and a tolerance for taking advantageous and well-considered risks. As proved by the gender disparity here, this is mostly a male thing, and there isn't too much we can do about it.

But now here's one idea I have for convincing the ladies: how about introducing them to other members of our fraternity? The stereotype of the compulsive gambler is that of a loner, and self-deluded. Taking a significant other to something like a Green Chip party, or even an informal meeting at a buffet, where she will meet other guys much like you, who can talk openly among themselves about what they do in a scholarly and consistent way, may put her at ease. One thing about women is that they are fascinated by what their men do at work; they love to hear us "talk shop". And the clandestine yet squeaky-clean way in which we meet adds a flavor of adventure that she might even find enjoyable. Does this sounds like a good idea?
 
#8
What helps a little...

My wife doesn't appreciate my counting whole heatedly, but I'm finding that she is starting to get it.. well atleast a little bit.

Every other weekend or so, we have 2-3 couples over, and play blackjack. (6D S17,ds,ls,rsa BJpays2:1 table limits 25-1000)

We have been doing this since I have been counting, about a year and a half. We all take turns dealing a shoe, playing for fake money. All the other people who play don't count cards, but they know I'm practicing and they are fine with it. At anytime they can ask me what the count is, and I tell them. Needless to say I will never be at a casino with these folks because they would surely slip and ask me in front of a pit critter.

At first she had absolutely no respect for counting, thought it was fuzzy math, but recently, our weekend games have got competitive to a certain extent. And although she won't come out and admit there is true science to it, she is constantly changing her bet size to match mine.

True seeing is believing, and these mock games are helping me a little bit with proving to her that it is a profitable thing.

And oh yea, when I have a good trip, she's always like... so whathca buy me? Anybody else have this problem?
 
#9
BJ no fun

Aw man, I don't think I could stand to play at home! After I've had a long session, I can't stand the sight of a BJ game. Give me bridge or something else.

One time I took a female friend to the table because she wanted to learn and play and maybe make a little money. What a mistake that was! I'm deep in my act (and I had explained to her about the act ahead of time), and she says loudly "You're not very good at playing dumb." Holy cats. After an hour or so, she misadds her hand, and the dealer turns to me and says "You ought to teach her how to count." Wise guy. Never again will I bring a muggle to the table, especially one with a mouth bigger than her butt.
 

Victoria

Well-Known Member
#10
He understands the concept

and could be a counter, but he does not like casinos or gambling.
The fact that he understands, that my bankroll came from money I had before we married, that variance has smiled more than frowned upon me and that I do not play that often has created no problems for us.
Being he is also an engineer, the idea of ever changing composition and how that changes advantage was easy to grasp.
He also knew upfront that I did this and that within my family casinos and counting exist. (great uncle was a table game manager in Cuba and an uncle tought me)
Guess that makes me lucky (positive variance), might be easier for the female members of this community.
Victoria
 

Royam

Well-Known Member
#12
Thanks for sharing experiences and giving tips

I'll make a melting-pot of it all and it should work.

Maybe she gets to count too... not sure it would be good though. Anybody here counting in couple or knowing such couple?

Royam
 
#13
Easier for female members...

I started getting interested in counting immediately after discovering that there was such a thing as "basic strategy." I started doing some research on the topic and trying to learn Hi-Lo. My concerned partner started asking *many* questions. At first I thought he was afraid that I was about to develop a gambling problem and was going to try to talk me out of it. Instead, he quickly saw how the math worked and was an almost immediate true-believer (while I was still a doubting Thomasina.) He started learning with me, and quickly outpaced me! It's a family thing now. I guess if our experience is representative, perhaps we do have it easier.

TW
 

Shaggy18vw

Well-Known Member
#14
Drive Trains Too.

So Victoria, you drive trains... me too. What discipline? Not to delve too deeply into your personal life. But it seems everybody and their "sister" is an engineer. I'm an ME.
 

Dog Hand

Well-Known Member
#15
Counting Couple

Royam,

How about Dr. and Mrs. J, as described by Bryce Carlson in Blackjack for Blood? Very inspirational story!

Dog Hand
 

MrPill

Well-Known Member
#16
It's a Hobby!

>I assume you have a job and that BJ is played during your free time.<

Yes I do work full time in a professional job. BJ is a hobby for me, but unlike most hobbies, like my wife's horses, it pays for itself!

>How do your significant others react? Is it not too much of a social life killer?<

My wife love's to play BJ also and is a very good BS player and plays half the time with me, although she does not count, yet!

Pill
 

MrPill

Well-Known Member
#17
Guest Essay

Also, don't forget to read through the Mayor's wifes guest essay found under the guess essay's link on the main page, if you haven't already.

Pill
 
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