Is this normal or should I just quit?

[BoSox]

I use hiopt2 and had a few hundred hours of being behind to breaking even this year.

Bubbles, it is 2018.

[BoSox]

The accolades keep coming for "FBM ASC"
Freightman Ball Method Ace Side Count

For feel good play.

Thank you for your vote of confidence

Freightman, does the FBM ASC require the player to cut a hole in his pants pocket?

[Freightman]

Freightman, does the FBM ASC require the player to cut a hole in his pants pocket?

No, it does not. However, doing so assists in the quicker release of pheromones, giving one that euphoric sensation of feel good play.

[ZeeBabar]

There are better times to play and worse times to play. If you can play only the best tie you start stacking the odds in your favor. You sound like an addict. That makes it very hard to be successful. You have to realize it is about the long run and limiting exposure so you can continue to play. That means limiting the time you are there while trying to get in the most rounds you can at advantage counts so you can chip away at your n0 faster. I have found playing nonstop often gets in far fewer rounds than being picky about when and where I play. Bing picky stacks the deck in favor of winning while just trying to get in time stacks the deck against you. Try to think the most rounds in the least amount of time. I think you will find many of your hours are times I might not even bother looking for a chance to play. You have to eat, sleep etc. Try to make sure you do these things when you would rather not play. You are scheduling your play around your schedule. Try making your schedule around what your scouting tells you are the best times to play.

I had a friend I used to tell something similar...you dont have to go to the bar after work every day (he often stayed there till the bar closed at 2:00 a.m.), to drink at home and to do it moderately and it would be safer. He just could not stop, got himself a number of DUI, license suspended, still managed to drive to the bar, got into an accident and then a collar around his leg to keep him home.

[Bubbles]

Bubbles, it is 2018.

Already? They go by so fast. Ok, last year that happened. Thanks BoSox.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[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.

[RCJH]

Part of the problem is I get "sucked in" though. For example, I'll stop by after work for just a few shoes and I'll either be up a little bit and trying to get more or I'll be down and trying to chase my losses. Either way it's 5am before i know it and I have to be at work in a few hours. If I could just walk away no matter what I'd be fine and it wouldn't affect my life as much!

And THAT is why you should get out.

You can't be successful as an AP AND as a gambler. I have driven three hours, found no playable games, and turned around and left. Just because you're in a casino doesn't mean you have to wager one cent.

I also doubt you're playing at your best if you're grinding away for 8 hours after working for 8 hours after sleeping for 3. Again, that sounds more like a gambler, or an addict.

If you are unable to leave, this isn't for you.

If you want to make money, try only playing twice a week, and spend your spare time practicing at home. If you can balance that, maybe you can make it.

[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.

[paymypush]

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.

I'll leave the marriage and job advice etc to others and look at your game.

I'm assuming H17 and, if so, you're looking at a house edge of 0.61%. That'a a poor game for anyone, not just the inexperienced. Poor but not unplayable. It takes a massive spread to make any real money with those rules and you are going from $5 to 2x $200 at +6. It looks good on paper but how often do you get those high counts in a game with those rules? Under 5% of the time for +5?

Bankroll permitting, you've got to get the money out sooner. In that game, I would be at or close to max bet at +4. And $10 at +2 is too little. Why the jump to two hands? Are you playing crowded tables?

Now I have to ask about playing errors. With only six months under your belt, you are making them and they will cost you. Losing the count, bet sizing, basic strategy and index play mistakes all come with a price. Do you know basic strategy for H17? Don't take offense as many do not.

I don't consider a 400 unit gain in 500 hours terrible at all. For that sample size, breaking even is not terrible. You'll see. That will be 2 cents for the mentoring.

[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.

[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.

[double up]

@cgasucks: I was going to send you a PM but my account is not enabled to do so which is why I will post this here. In case that's your photo in the avatar, I suggest you remove it asap. Today's technology allows it to identify your private details from a photo very easily. You might get barred at casinos sooner than you think. Have a look in this thread: https://www.blackjacktheforum.com/sh...al-Recognition Just fyi.

@dalmatian: As others pointed out you might want to focus more on the counting to get better results. With two jobs and working 60 hour weeks, sitting at the tables will eventually take its toll. Even at your age. Good luck.