David: Premise

[David]

Success, or making money, at blackjack is not possible in the long run, + 200 hours, unless the player is proficient at counting. True or False?

[Parker]

> Success, or making money, at blackjack is
> not possible in the long run, + 200 hours,
> unless the player is proficient at counting.
> True or False?

Success in the long run is not possible without using some form of advantage play. It doesn't have to be counting; it could be shuffle tracking, ace sequencing, hole card play, etc. However, counting is arguably the easiest method to learn and apply.

However, 200 hours isn't anywhere close to the "long run." Even under optimal conditions, this would only represent about 20,000 hands played. A full time counter will log that many hours in a few months. In that length of time, just about anything can happen.