Enlighten me.... how long did it take you to become a proficient counter without making mistakes? What kind of drills did you do to get to that point? How many hours did you practice a day/week? What does it take to reach that point?Originally Posted by moo321
Well, I learned basic strategy form playing blackjack online. So, I had that down before I tried counting. But it would probably be at least 100 hours, if not more. Just get a deck out, practice counting through the deck face up, then practice dealing blackjack and counting. It's hard work, but that's how you get to be proficient at it.
The Cash Cow.
We have confirmation that casino employees read this site, and post at the other site. There are also a number of confirmed incidents of casino employees attempting to infiltrate teams and show up at card-counting meetups.
The Cash Cow.
Well Blitz you're already here on Norm's forum... and there are sites like mine, which is kinda a new thing insofar as we're trying to make a local-focus, part-time, non-pro, resource for skilled players to work together, which might be helpful IF you happen to live close to Detroit (?).
But anyway, there are other sites like Wong's "Green Chip" group on the 'net too... some duplication between there and here but I think both sites are worthwhile, plus you might try to interest some of your friends in learning to play blackjack correctly so you can learn and practice together (read Nathanial Tilton's book "The Blackjack Life")... y'know, one would think that a lot of folks out there might be interested in acquiring a profitable hobby or even part-time "job skill" to try to make some extra money in these difficult economic times... not that "AP work" is necessarily the best option for all people, of course... SOME people need to stay FAR FAR away from ALL this... but, just the same... it's an idea...
Anyway, you're probably already doing everything you need to do, same as the rest of us all did it: learning, reading, practicing, talking online, practicing more, running drills, running sims, and (heh, most importantly) scouting the casinos, back-counting games, spotting for any and all opportunities... and just gettin' the job done as best you can, getting your BR together, learning BS cold, getting your count speed up, memorizing indexes, then just gettin' them chips pushed out there when +EV calls for it... and just riding the wild variance, hanging on for dear life, until you come out the other side with your convergence to EV (hopefully, that is, if you did all of the above right and didn't make too many mistakes along the way).
There ain't any shortcuts, I'm sorry to be the one breaking this "bad news" to ya...
It's just: Step. By. Step.
-DBJT
We know for a fact that we have at least ONE casino surveillance professional as a member on even my own TINY website forum... he was gracious enough to "out" himself and asked if he could still join us, since he's a player too as an AP in his personal life, and he does not work for any of the stores that WE are targeting (he's not even in the same state)...
So, yeah, THEY are "HERE" and we approved his membership with some limited privileges just 'cuz it's useful sometimes to have access to "friendlies" on the other side... mutual benefit, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours kinda thing.
But anyway it would be a serious error IMHO for any Advantage Player to assume "THEY" are not very much active and WATCHING in nearly EVERYTHING you do... online or offline.
-DBJT
I've tried working with friends and what not and they are just not interested. I don't want anyone to do anything that they don't want to do. If their heart is just not in it then I know that I am wasting my time. It's not like I'm going to beg someone to help prepare me because I can do that myself but only to an extent. I'll more than likely have to go it alone.Well Blitz you're already here on Norm's forum... and there are sites like mine, which is kinda a new thing insofar as we're trying to make a local-focus, part-time, non-pro, resource for skilled players to work together, which might be helpful IF you happen to live close to Detroit (?).
But anyway, there are other sites like Wong's "Green Chip" group on the 'net too... some duplication between there and here but I think both sites are worthwhile, plus you might try to interest some of your friends in learning to play blackjack correctly so you can learn and practice together (read Nathanial Tilton's book "The Blackjack Life")... y'know, one would think that a lot of folks out there might be interested in acquiring a profitable hobby or even part-time "job skill" to try to make some extra money in these difficult economic times... not that "AP work" is necessarily the best option for all people, of course... SOME people need to stay FAR FAR away from ALL this... but, just the same... it's an idea...
Anyway, you're probably already doing everything you need to do, same as the rest of us all did it: learning, reading, practicing, talking online, practicing more, running drills, running sims, and (heh, most importantly) scouting the casinos, back-counting games, spotting for any and all opportunities... and just gettin' the job done as best you can, getting your BR together, learning BS cold, getting your count speed up, memorizing indexes, then just gettin' them chips pushed out there when +EV calls for it... and just riding the wild variance, hanging on for dear life, until you come out the other side with your convergence to EV (hopefully, that is, if you did all of the above right and didn't make too many mistakes along the way).
There ain't any shortcuts, I'm sorry to be the one breaking this "bad news" to ya...
It's just: Step. By. Step.
-DBJT
What were you referring to when you mentioned "memorizing indexes"?
On that note I have already been playing BJ in the casinos for some time, and I do count while playing BJ.
[QUOTE=DBJT;118345]We know for a fact that we have at least ONE casino surveillance professional as a member on even my own TINY website forum... he was gracious enough to "out" himself and asked if he could still join us, since he's a player too as an AP in his personal life, and he does not work for any of the stores that WE are targeting (he's not even in the same state)...
So, yeah, THEY are "HERE" and we approved his membership with some limited privileges just 'cuz it's useful sometimes to have access to "friendlies" on the other side... mutual benefit, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours kinda thing.
But anyway it would be a serious error IMHO for any Advantage Player to assume "THEY" are not very much active and WATCHING in nearly EVERYTHING you do... online or offline.
-DBJT[/QUOTE
It seems like you know what your doing and I'll leave it at that. Personally I would not have allowed him to become a member in my opinion.
A little advice? Ya gotta grow a THICK SKIN around these-here AP forums (esp. on bj21 IMHO). The dialogue can be brutal at times in this arena, more-so even than most online forums.
If you're already offended by JUST being gently called "maybe" some spy due to the nature of your first inquiry...
-DBJT
P.S. Also not good idea to question Moo's competence, trust me: he & many others of the old-skool here knows their shìt cold...
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