Quote Originally Posted by Texascc View Post
My introduction...I live in central Texas but grew up going to Vegas with my parents long before I could gamble, staying in Circus Circus, Treasure Island, etc. Learned the rules to games and prepared myself to play as soon as I turned 21 years old. I would go 3-4 times a year with my girlfriend/fiancée/now wife and we stayed all over spending most of our time sightseeing, eating, shopping, and taking in shows. She would crash early and I’d go down and play blackjack for hours every night loosely using Basic Strategy. I loved the game and started to read about counting cards. Right about that time we found out that we were expecting our first child. That pretty much ended our trips to Vegas and then life continued to happen including a total of three kids and a 16-year hiatus from Vegas. Fast forward to today and I’m training regularly to learn Hilo (or KO) and soaking up any and everything I can read or listen to about card counting or AP play.

I’ve mastering Basis Strategy and learning to keep the running count. I’ve been using the updated Blackjack Blueprint book as my main guide, but own almost all of the known blackjack books. I’ve watched all of BJA’s free videos as well as listened to all of their podcasts and GWAE’s podcasts. I’m taking my time during my training because I’m not in a rush to get to a casino right away. I want every mental move or calculation to be second nature. I am using flashcards for mastering the last few BS decisions that I even hesitate on (such as a few soft total doubles) and repeatedly count thru decks of cards daily. I can flip over a deck in 25-30 seconds perfectly keeping the running count, and fan thru a deck even quicker cancelling in groups. I keep a deck of cards at my work desk and start and end my day counting thru them a few times each as well as my BS flashcards. I do this at lunch and at home as well. I also use BJA’s free online BS and counting drills almost daily. I’m at the point of deciding to move forward with Hilo and start to learn deck estimation or jump on KO instead. I’m very comfortable keeping the running count already.

I’m trying to be realistic with my expectations. I already know I’m not going to get rich from this. I have a 20+ year career and don’t plan on ever trying to do this full time. I like the idea of beating the game and would love to make some extra money by taking day trips to areas around me and playing aggressively at those casinos while also returning to our trips to Vegas and playing more for comps or rewards but still have a fighting chance to bring home some money. I plan on hopefully keeping my spread to level that won’t raise much suspicion but still helps me survive longer and win some money.

I apologize for the length of this and promise this will be my longest post. I welcome any comments as well as advice of whether I should stick with Hilo or go with KO. Thanks, and I’m glad to be a part of the group.
I am assuming you have another career. Keep it. With a wife and young children, playing other than recreationally would be disastrous.