Discussion: What is required to succeed as an AP in Blackjack?

[seriousplayer]

There has been talks between two or more people that greatly counters are losers recently in the threads. May I kindly ask all of the blackjack experts for feedback on what make you succeed in playing blackjack for a living.

What worked for me are:

1. Learn to play perfect basic strategy
2. Master a Professional Level Card Counting System. Keep count with distraction. Master Index Plays: Illustrious 18 and Fab 4. Master Desk Estimation and True Count Conversion. Size bet according to ones bankroll.
3. Develop a big enough bankroll to see me through negative fluctuations.
4. Look for good table conditions. Penetration and rules. Backcount the table. Discipline here is very important.
5. Keep heat to the minimum. Use cover play.
6. Sometime keeping the session short.
7. Keep Records of play.

Most importantly:

Don't gamble. In other words, don't play unless I have an advantage. When losing stick with it and put in the hours. Sometime under bet my bankroll.

[Sharky]

There has been talks between two or more people that greatly counters are losers recently in the threads. May I kindly ask all of the blackjack experts for feedback on what make you succeed in playing blackjack for a living.

What worked for me are:

1. Learn to play perfect basic strategy
2. Master a Professional Level Card Counting System. Keep count with distraction. Master Index Plays: Illustrious 18 and Fab 4. Master Desk Estimation and True Count Conversion. Size bet according to ones bankroll.
3. Develop a big enough bankroll to see me through negative fluctuations.
4. Look for good table conditions. Penetration and rules. Backcount the table. Discipline here is very important.
5. Keep heat to the minimum. Use cover play.
6. Sometime keeping the session short.
7. Keep Records of play.

Most importantly:

Don't gamble. In other words, don't play unless I have an advantage. When losing stick with it and put in the hours. Sometime under bet my bankroll.

great formulae, sp...i would just add:
8. Wong at -2

[stopgambling]

Pretty much I am there to do the wagering and try not to make mistake while doing so and don't let the fluctuation keep you from doing my job. If the flux gets me TOO emotional and stress ,i would stop right after the advantage is gone or heat/condition deteriorates dictating a stop. The fun part is after xxx hours and i am going in the right direction.

[Jabberwocky]

Two key factors. Surrepticious spreading and/or avoiding sweat holes. I play full time and cards are my only income source.

[Sharky]

.... This "drive" pushed me to levels I could've never imagined....

man, moses, i don't know what it is about you...you just have that 'jen ne se qua'....don't EVER lost that, man...you are really something...red sea and all

[stopgambling]

i would say LIFESTYLE is a better description,as job often give people a different idea. . A way of making money. There are some people don't work , don't Ap , don't do illegal thing and an still making a living . i don't understand why we need to be so technical with the description?

[hitthat16]

It's love.

http://www.blackjackforumonline.com/...ToDoWithIt.htm

[Exoter175]

There has been talks between two or more people that greatly counters are losers recently in the threads. May I kindly ask all of the blackjack experts for feedback on what make you succeed in playing blackjack for a living.

What worked for me are:

1. Learn to play perfect basic strategy
2. Master a Professional Level Card Counting System. Keep count with distraction. Master Index Plays: Illustrious 18 and Fab 4. Master Desk Estimation and True Count Conversion. Size bet according to ones bankroll.
3. Develop a big enough bankroll to see me through negative fluctuations.
4. Look for good table conditions. Penetration and rules. Backcount the table. Discipline here is very important.
5. Keep heat to the minimum. Use cover play.
6. Sometime keeping the session short.
7. Keep Records of play.

Most importantly:

Don't gamble. In other words, don't play unless I have an advantage. When losing stick with it and put in the hours. Sometime under bet my bankroll.

I am no expert by any means, in fact, I'm probably the "Greenest of the greenhorns" as the southernfolk might say, but I think your formula is missing a lot of key components.

As an example, not a single one of your points of emphasis have anything to do with "keeping calm" and removing emotions from the equation, and dealing with all of the other nuances of the game that eventually become a larger piece of the puzzle than the basics themselves.

When I first started playing, it was all about learning my craft from a standpoint of "what do I do in this scenario". Later that would transition into "how can I best exploit my time without being found out", which would transition into "how can I best hide my craft from everyone else" to, "how can I best milk the casino for comps/food/freebies while I do this".

I will say, mastering my count and keeping records are BY FAR the biggest pieces of the puzzle for ME, but eventually all of this becomes second nature, perhaps even ritualistic. I don't have to worry about index decisions anymore, or the accuracy of my count, or having enough of a bankroll, or scouting tables or keeping heat low, I've taken care of all of that already. I've transcended those concerns for the most part, though that sounds wildly narcissistic reading that aloud, but you've got to understand my position on this. I play a deliberate game where I won't get caught, I will make money, and I can play at my own leisure, and that's really a blessing more than anything right now. I don't care if I don't hit that double down on an 11 anymore, I know I'll get the shot again and hit it. Some of the things that used to bother me deeply just don't anymore, and its not for the sake of becoming "numb" to the game, but rather just becoming familiar with the nuances of the game.

Honestly, I think if you had to put a list together for being successful at this game, it would honestly look like this.

1. Be confident
2. Be precise
3. Be diligent
4. Remain Calm
5. Don't forget to smile
6. Never piss into the wind

As Exoter would say....BINGO!

I need a new "catchphrase" now haha.

[Sharky]

Well thanks Sharky. I'd take that 10-3 proven record of yours in the NFL. That's very impressive. I lost track. If you don't mind my asking, how did you end up doing? ...

my documented NFL p-o-t-w ended 14-6....70%, of course, is unheard of...esp considering I was 3-4 after week 6....a real testament to continuing staying the course with your proven 'system'

good luck

[seriousplayer]

I am no expert by any means, in fact, I'm probably the "Greenest of the greenhorns" as the southernfolk might say, but I think your formula is missing a lot of key components.

As an example, not a single one of your points of emphasis have anything to do with "keeping calm" and removing emotions from the equation, and dealing with all of the other nuances of the game that eventually become a larger piece of the puzzle than the basics themselves.

When I first started playing, it was all about learning my craft from a standpoint of "what do I do in this scenario". Later that would transition into "how can I best exploit my time without being found out", which would transition into "how can I best hide my craft from everyone else" to, "how can I best milk the casino for comps/food/freebies while I do this".

I will say, mastering my count and keeping records are BY FAR the biggest pieces of the puzzle for ME, but eventually all of this becomes second nature, perhaps even ritualistic. I don't have to worry about index decisions anymore, or the accuracy of my count, or having enough of a bankroll, or scouting tables or keeping heat low, I've taken care of all of that already. I've transcended those concerns for the most part, though that sounds wildly narcissistic reading that aloud, but you've got to understand my position on this. I play a deliberate game where I won't get caught, I will make money, and I can play at my own leisure, and that's really a blessing more than anything right now. I don't care if I don't hit that double down on an 11 anymore, I know I'll get the shot again and hit it. Some of the things that used to bother me deeply just don't anymore, and its not for the sake of becoming "numb" to the game, but rather just becoming familiar with the nuances of the game.

Honestly, I think if you had to put a list together for being successful at this game, it would honestly look like this.

1. Be confident
2. Be precise
3. Be diligent
4. Remain Calm
5. Don't forget to smile
6. Never piss into the wind



I need a new "catchphrase" now haha.

I appreciate your feedback. But

Remain Calm
Don't forget to smile
Never piss into the wind

could be narrow down to one word "act". Expert blackjack players develop good acts when they play blackjack.

[bjarg]

Moses, you are probably the most ridiculous poster in this board.
Your knowledge on advantage play is ZERO, but somehow you keep babling with endless posts and somehow manage to make people (some people) believe you actually know what you are talking about.
It is quite funny actually.

KJ is right: you have NO CLUE of what it takes to make it as an AP, in blackjack or any other game.
And since this is an AP board and this is a thread that discuss just that, maybe you should shut your trap and not come down on a guy that actually know what he's talking about.
There are probably 8 or 10 guys in this forum that CAN ACTUALLY answer that question, and theres no doubt KJ is one of them.

You talk about a slow death? About AP not being worthwhile?
Last year only I probably made more money in casinos than what you made in your entire life.
Get a clue you freakin idiot.

[hitthat16]

Everyone:

via Imgflip Meme Maker

[Shadowless]

In order to succeed as an AP, one must be able to get away with it.
A person could be the greatest player of all time, but if s/he isn't allowed to play at any casino, s/he's out of business.

Therefore, it is important to spread your play, while maintaining cover, throughout each shift at each casino. Also, don't jump into a game right away. This may take more time to scout for a sloppy dealer or a dealer who regularly cuts lower than the casino's standard, but it's worth it.