Youngest BlackJack Card Counter

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

Thank you sir, very well said.

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

Really Zen?? I thought it was a horseshit post. I guess that isn't saying that it isn't his best.

"If you're under 30 and spend time playing/thinking about blackjack you're an addict in denial"

This is a trash statement and I take offense to it especially from coming from someone as inexperienced as Zee. Who you, Zen, have called a degenerate gambler multiple times.

"It is an unusually dumb 21 year old if they're thinking of a career as a card counter"

Really? Someone who has the ability and discipline to beat the casinos by card counting is "unusually dumb" because they choose that over a more traditional career path?

I'm not going to debate economy/jobs/college but anyone who thinks one-size-fits-all lacks perspective.

"Even a 50k bankroll will only generate 25k income with great risk that you will lose it all"

Wrong. Maybe a great risk for YOU to lose it all, and maybe YOU can only generate 25k, but please, do not put all young CC's in the same boat as YOU.

"The highs you feel now when you win are no different than when you do dope."

WTF is this? Not only are all people under 30 blackjack addicts but they're all dope-heads too?

I'm a very laid back person and never let emotions dictate my play (or other decisions in life) but Zee's post straight up offensive to a young AP. You're thinking just like the old man you are.

Now, to hopefully add some value to my post.

As far as buying-in goes for enough money that gets you attention, you have to play the part. Obviously your duds will help, but have a believable story if someone asks. I hate playing the spoiled rich kid so I have a great background story made up. The beauty of it is

A. Many people have heard about the technology I used to make my money, but know little about it.
-they can't ask questions, or the ones they do are very basic.

B. It fits. Its a new technology. I look young. Many people will never use this technology in their lives, it makes sense a young person would have invested in it before someone older who isn't familiar with technology.

C. It looks like I got lucky and don't care about throwing my money around. I bought my shares at an extremely affordable price, and when I tell people what they peaked at, there are no more questions about why I have money.

I refrain from saying what I sold them at or how much I bought, because even if the story was true, it's none of their business.

The sad part is I actually decided against this investment a few years ago. Such is life for those afraid to take risks.

Thanks for all the input. I already have a profession, blackjack is something i would love to do on the side, because i have the ability and the time to spend on it. Ive had very good streaks when ive put my mind and time to it. Made close to 1k in a week period time. By just wonging in and out. Being very young has brought some attention, I am not going to lie. I slowed down a bit but i will soon start again.

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

+1


I'm almost certain that this thread will turn into the young guys vs the 'real pros' who have been counting for a quarter century .

Yeah we are not trying to do that. Just getting input from everyone helps.

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

Who said young guys can't be successful at AP? It's just that the act is trickier.

Thank you norm.

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

I just can't stand these old guys that post that --- oops, just remembered my age.

Haha

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

With all due respect Zee, I couldn't care-less about the history of your gambling addiction. The fact that you still fear your addiction 45 years later tells me you are not a successful (I'm sure our definition of this word differs) card counter and you never could have made it as a professional, YOU definitely chose the right road for YOU.

Had I been in your shoes I'd still be sleeping on bags of old one-hundred dollar bills from playing the great games. (My O/U 13 pillowcase would be packed especially tight)

I do not care about the number of aspiring card counters that have failed. They are not any more relevant to me than you are. Because others have failed does not mean one shouldn't try.
The question of IF it's the way someone wants to live is completely separate from the ability to do such thing.

I would fully support my child in any goal he or she may have. I am not going to "protect" them from failure. If I was on my deathbed I would be a lot more satisfied having taken a chance and failed than living scared.

Not to turn this into a psych session but I, like so many out there, had dreams of playing in the NBA. One day my step-dad straight up said it wouldn't happen. I was like 12. I remember hearing that and it crushed me. I had many many people telling me "if you work hard enough..." but which comment do you think affected me more? I could/would never do that to anyone.

Even if I do "fail" to make AP a career and only last 5 years, I will regret nothing. I would recommend ANYONE to chase ANY dream in the ripe ages of 20-30 because once you miss the chance it's gone.

I dealt card for 5 years and I can't tell you the number of miserable people I worked with and dealt cards to. On my last day a regular degen was about in tears because I told her I'm leaving the industry to chase a dream, she was audibly reflecting on her own life and I could see the disappointment. That feeling scares me a hell of a lot more than failure.

Thank you. This is one of the best comments i have recieved. I am young and have been self employed all my life. I am Very successful at what i do. Even though noone believed in my business. Now i am reaping the blessings. If i stopped when everyone wanted me to i would NOT be here spending time on other things i find interesting. So having someone tell me i cant accomplish something, wouldnt be the first time i prove them wrong. Thanks for all the input!!!!

And to all you non believers have fun clocking in 9-5.

[BlackAce]

First, I think it is an unusually dumb 21 year old if that person is thinking of a career as a card counter. They are much better off going to college and a degree that will make them a career. Given the ups and downs of being a professional blackjack player is devastating on all the other aspects of life (relationships, parenting, respect in the community, future).

Counting is not hard but it makes everything else in life impossible. Addiction is also a huge issue. There is a reason the clientele of a casino is generally made up of folks 50-70.

Everyone likes lies to believe that what they are doing in life is best but it is a rationalization that we make to keep our sanity.

if you are under 30, please concentrate on other stuff and play BJ every now and then. Spend more time on other stuff. If you are spending a lot of time thinking and studying BJ, you are simply in denial about your addiction. Fact remains that each decade of BJ has been worse that the prior one for playing BJ and conditions are only going to get worse. There will be more technology and poorer rules. Even $50k BR will only generate an annual income less than $25k with great risk that you will lose it all. The highs that you feel after a win now is no different than the high you feel from doing dope.

Thanks moses.

Not punching a clock for 30 years fits my definition of success; I hope to do the same whether it is through AP or other means.

I am going on my 11-12 yr and going strong.

[Bubbles]

I'm a younger AP too. I have a well paying career. I consider blackjack to be a hobby of mine that makes a little cash. It's fun and gets me out of the house. I use it as a means to meet people and maybe make a friend or two. My other hobbies are solitary in nature which makes it difficult to meet people.

I don't consider myself addicted like Zeebar warns. My worst addicted ploppy friend has to keep playing after she wins until she gives all of her money back. I have no trouble walking out with money. In fact, I usually do, lol. I don't need to play either. Sometimes I'll walk into a store I haven't been in and I'll see the games offered. Maybe I just don't feel like playing shoes, the limits are too high, the pen sucks, or the pit boss is a creeper. I have no trouble walking right back out and finding something better to do with my time. I also don't really care when I win. It's cool, but the emotion is show. I do get slightly grumbly when I lose, but only because I may have to add more to my BR with money I would have preferred to put toward something else. I get that it's all variance. I also keep my BR completely separate so its up and downs have no affect on my normal money. My BR is kind of like a science experiment where I'm just seeing how big I can grow it.

[blueman]

Started at poker in garages for $20 tournaments at age 17, then casinos for 1/2 cash games at 19, then 2/5 at 21 build roll past 6 figs, then full time travel and poker at 22 then pick up bj at 23 and start with a spread to 2x500 and here i am playing 5/10 to 10/20 poker and bj up to 2x1000 at 24

[UK-21]

In regional UK casinos, you don't have to look to hard to see the youthful drugs dealers on the gaming floor. Spotty faced kids, who struggle to hang two words together and only need to shave once a week, sporting expensive gold chains and throwing around handfuls of black (£25) chips at the blackjack felt and carribean stud tables, or covering the roulette layouts with forty or fifty chips per spin. In London, possibly not so straight-forward as there are lots of foreign students there being funded by daddy/rich uncles/tax dodges [delete as appropriate] which include generous pocket-money allowances.

Playing spot the scrote is part of the fun of visiting a bricks 'n' mortar casino. :-)

[ZenMaster_Flash]

" ... spot the scrote."

Translate this into American English please.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by UK-21

" ... spot the scrote."
Translate this into American English please.

Scrote: (plural scrotes) (vulgar, chiefly Britain) A worthless obnoxious person; a gobshite or toerag.

[Three]

a gobshite or toerag.

Well that clears things up. LoL