Is this normal or should I just quit?

[dalmatian]

So I've been doing this blackjack stuff for about 6 months now. My peak was 5 weeks after I started and now, almost 5 months later, I'm at only 0.75 of that value.

Is this normal? I've had just too many weeks that were break even. I can't consistently hit a steady upward rate. It's all super good followed by super bad. I spent about 500 hours doing this and only made 400 units. That's terrible.

My marriage has suffered irreparably, I've already lost multiple jobs, and my health is starting to be compromised no doubt as I breathe in second hand smoke/sleep a few hours a day/eat garbage casino food all the time. I currently work 2 jobs (~60 hours a week) and spend at least 25 hours a week counting. I'm only in my 20s so I'm wondering if I should just get out now.

I really really love blackjack though and I would be sad to quit I just wish there was some light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to. Currently I wong out at -1 or less, $5 up to +1, $5 and some whites between +1 and +2, $10 at +2, 2×$20 at +3, 2×$40 at +4, 2×$50 at +5, and 2×$100 +6 and above. I wasn't doing exactly this spread the entire time but some close variant usually.

6D, DAS, split 4 times, splits aces, double any, pen. 80%+, no surrender, 3:2, insurance, all of Stanford wongs positive index plays (hi low).

Is there a way to improve my play? I though wonging and index plays would help but I feel like it has only been marginal. I am willing even to pay for mentoring at a more advanced level then can b provided on a public forum if anyone is in my area/willing.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Very normal indeed. You could be penniless by now.

So ~ yes, you should "get out now."

You can (radically) improve your play, but that is not the issue.

Seek help with your marital, occupational, and health problems.

Maturity includes problem-solving, making good choices, etc.

You ought to consider professional guidance.

[Ryemo]

I think you should stop or at least slow down if blackjack is costing your job and deteriorating your marriage.

As far as your results go, it would be easier to understand where stood if you kept track of your EV. I have no idea what your EV was for the first 500 hrs, so it’s hard to say. But blackjack is very volatile and the swings can be massive. A lot can happen in a short amount of time, good or bad.

[vegaskid]

Get out. In "The Color of Blackjack", Daniel Dravot says that blackjack makes a great hobby, but a lousy career. I have found this to be true. I paid my way through college counting cards in Vegas a long time ago, but it was putting stress on my marriage (not because I was losing, but because it's a tough lifestyle). Ultimately that's not why I quit, though. I finally just decided I wanted my life to amount to more than being an AP. Try to imagine gathering your grandchildren around you 50 years from now regaling them with "tales of triumph from the blackjack pits." I can't imagine it either. I still play recreationally (and profitably), have a career I can proudly talk about at family gatherings, saved my marriage, and have a pretty great life in general. If you're strong enough to make money as an AP, you're strong enough to make a lot more money a lot more easily in other ways. You're still young - get out while you can and keep playing for fun - you'll be glad you did.

[BJGenius007]

So I've been doing this blackjack stuff for about 6 months now. My peak was 5 weeks after I started and now, almost 5 months later, I'm at only 0.75 of that value.

Is this normal? I've had just too many weeks that were break even. I can't consistently hit a steady upward rate. It's all super good followed by super bad. I spent about 500 hours doing this and only made 400 units. That's terrible.

My marriage has suffered irreparably, I've already lost multiple jobs, and my health is starting to be compromised no doubt as I breathe in second hand smoke/sleep a few hours a day/eat garbage casino food all the time. I currently work 2 jobs (~60 hours a week) and spend at least 25 hours a week counting. I'm only in my 20s so I'm wondering if I should just get out now.

I really really love blackjack though and I would be sad to quit I just wish there was some light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to. Currently I wong out at -1 or less, $5 up to +1, $5 and some whites between +1 and +2, $10 at +2, 2×$20 at +3, 2×$40 at +4, 2×$50 at +5, and 2×$100 +6 and above. I wasn't doing exactly this spread the entire time but some close variant usually.

6D, DAS, split 4 times, splits aces, double any, pen. 80%+, no surrender, 3:2, insurance, all of Stanford wongs positive index plays (hi low).

Is there a way to improve my play? I though wonging and index plays would help but I feel like it has only been marginal. I am willing even to pay for mentoring at a more advanced level then can b provided on a public forum if anyone is in my area/willing.

First, there should be non-smoking section. If you don't smoke, why do you play at tables in smoking section.

Now back to your original question. I think BJ career is not suitable for you.

[cc12b]

Now back to your original question. I think BJ career is not suitable for you.

I should add "BJ career is not suitable for MANY of you" as if someone can eats fire or walks the high wire then the rest of population could do the same.

[Sharky]

betting $0 to $10 on counts up to +3 is "pauper wages"....just get a regular job

[Freightman]

Seriously, Zee should respond to this thread. Anyone reading Zee's posts would know exactly what he is going to say. Frankly, he would have the best answer for this guy.

I'll +1 his anticipated reply in advance.

[Midwest Player]

If you are going to play blackjack often, then drop the part time job. Two jobs plus blackjack is just too much. You have to set a time limit on how much blackjack you play. If you drop in after work set a time limit of one and a half hours to two hours and leave regardless of being up or down. I find the dinner time couple of hours a good time to play as everybody is eating then, less crowded tables.

Ask yourself if you are being fair to your wife by coming home at 5:00 am. No wife is going to put up with that shit. If you want to save you marriage make some changes.

By the way, if you start winning often, there is a good chance you will eventually lose your local casino. I lost some nearby casinos. Then suddenly its a 3 or 4 hour trip to the casino.

[albee]

Some interesting comments for sure. To play blackjack with some type of count system, you need discipline. If your play is jeopardizing your marriage or employment, please stop playing. You need the bankroll in order to play and handle the large swings. It appears you're not funded enough to handle the swings. But more importantly, your priorities should be your marriage and your job. Get those inline and build up a bankroll, then come back and kill it at the tables.

[cgasucks]

I am not the most experienced AP on this thread (practicing for 3 weeks now and haven't made a real bet) but I do know that if this game is affecting your marriage and career, I really suggest you dial back your time in the casinos or even a take a break from it and practice at home. The break could be weeks, months or even years. When you come back when your personal and professional life is back on track, the game and the casinos will be there waiting you. They're not going anywhere.

[BJGenius007]

I am not the most experienced AP on this thread (practicing for 3 weeks now and haven't made a real bet) but I do know that if this game is affecting your marriage and career, I really suggest you dial back your time in the casinos or even a take a break from it and practice at home. The break could be weeks, months or even years. When you come back when your personal and professional life is back on track, the game and the casinos will be there waiting you. They're not going anywhere.

Definitely. This question doesn't need an AP to answer but anyone with a common sense.

[Stealth]

I am not the most experienced AP on this thread (practicing for 3 weeks now and haven't made a real bet) but I do know that if this game is affecting your marriage and career, I really suggest you dial back your time in the casinos or even a take a break from it and practice at home. The break could be weeks, months or even years. When you come back when your personal and professional life is back on track, the game and the casinos will be there waiting you. They're not going anywhere.

cgasucks, +1 +1 +1 +1 for your post to an AP forum on card counting and including your photo to make us feel warm and fuzzy. I have taken the liberty of submitting your photo and handle to OSN to avoid you waiting longer to promote your notoriety.

OR

You put your ex wife's new asshole boyfriends photo in with the intent of someone doing just what I mentioned above or worse. If so, +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 for outsmarting us all.

PS. This is my impolite way of telling you to take down the photo before it does some harm you do not want. Casinos also read these forums.