I don’t think that blackjack is any different from poker in that you definitely need experience to survive. Just like poker, success in blackjack is more than just an execution of learned knowledge.
There are many factors that go into the making of a successful blackjack player. I guess that this was why I succeeded because I had the industry knowledge that many other players of my kind simply didn’t have.
I knew what certain looks meant from gaming managers, I knew what certain actions meant by pit bosses, dealers and managers and all this made me aware if there was going to be heat. You see in blackjack, you must leave sooner rather than later. If you are getting heat then it is too late and this is already an indication that the casino staff suspect something.
The information network now of casinos means that if you are spotted or suspected in one of them then the chances are that this information will be passed around and the minute that you walk into a new casino, they will be on to you.
I really do not believe that blackjack is feasible now as a full-time career as you simply cannot get the action for long enough. Even if you were an individual counter who was making £20/hour in the UK and getting away with it, chances are that the casinos would start to notice your small but significant wins and this is presuming you used some of the counter measures that we were using.
I think that I could do it but the prospect of travelling up and down the motorways from casino to casino for that type of money would do my head in after a while. In fact the old poker saying “it’s a tough way to make an easy living” could be applied to blackjack with one small alteration….. “It’s a tough way to make a tough living” is a better way of putting it.
See you soon and all the best for 2010.
Carl
