Hi Guys,
The goal of my thread is probably quiet common but I could not find an exact answer to it yet. Your views will be precious.

Thirst of all, Let me introduce myself: I am French, working in the finance industry, rather quantitative. Few years ago I started playing poker, worked a lot on my game and I am making a decent side income from it now(30k$ /year).

I however consider myself ‘recreational’ in the sense that money is not the only goal for me when I pay. I tried Vegas a few times, loves it, and try to commute several times a year from Europe to enjoy little profits and great memories out there.

I came across several YouTube videos about blackjack (about MIT team to start with). It gave me the idea that I could try to become a breakeven+ player in blackjack (mostly for the sake of the challenge, for the fun of getting comped big time and why not, to make small profits)

I learned the BS and now understand the basics of the advantages of counting (to set the bet size properly along the deck while amending the BS along)

I am testing the software in demo, plan to buy it and train myself for my next trip in town.

To recap: I ‘am ready to spend a limited amount of time for practice (100 hours is a good guess). I am decent at memorization but I am not rain man either. I don’t plan to be the best of the best neither getting rich but slightly EV+ in blackjack aside from playing poker. I’m ready to risk around 5k$ if I pretty sure I am not a clear ev-. I am not planning any team play.

Here are my question for you guys:

1) In my shoes, what game would you learn specifically (6 deck ?) and what count system would you learn (my first guess would be REKO ?).

2) What betting strategy would you suggest in order to limit the heat? (Actually, would there be any risk of heat for someone like me?). In what range would you spread
bets ? Are casinos annoyed about all counters or only those clearly ev+which I won’t be I guess?

3) What would be your casinos/ limits of choice (ie the smallest games where the casino edge is not too much? (Thinking something like the 25$ tables at MGM or such?). Is there any meaning practicing lower first?

4)In any ‘I am catched situation” what happens ? Would they bar you from the casino as a whole or only from BJ (will I be able to keep on playing poker?)Is it per property or for the whole chain ?

I hope my questions are not out of line in such a forum and wish to get your informed feedback and maybe start interesting conversations

All the best at the tables to all of you…


AKtueur