Gambler turned AP

[Jughead]

Can a degenerate gambler like myself ever turn into a successful AP? I've read a couple books on blackjack, currently reading BJA3. I've practiced counting some, I definitely have more work to do before trying it live. I've played hundreds of hours of BJ as a ploppy. I've been to Vegas a hand full of times, I've played quite a bit of craps, and hours upon hours of slot machines. I am compulsive (ADHD) and sometimes I drink too much. Sure I've had the days when I've won a few thousand dollars but if I had to estimate I'd say I'm somewhere around 100k down in my lifetime of gambling. I make decent money and have no fantasies of being a professional AP but dammit I would like to get some of my money back. I live in indian casino territory so not the best rules but there are some beatable games in my opinion. I know I have the capability of being a successful BJ AP, but I'm not sure I have the discipline. I've read countless threads here and respect a lot of you guys (and gals) opinions.


I felt compelled to share this fairly lengthy quote from the movie Two for the Money from Al Pacino's character Walter Abrams:

You're a lemon. Like a bad car. There is something... there is something inherently defective in you, and you, and you, and me, and all of us. We're all lemons. We look like everyone else, but what makes us different is our defect. See, most gamblers, when they go to gamble, they go to win. When we go to gamble, we go to lose. Subconsciously. Me, I never feel better than when they're raking the chips away; not bringing them in. And everyone here knows what I'm talking about. Hell, even when we win it's just a matter of time before we give it all back. But when we lose, that's another story. When we lose, and I'm talking about the kind of loss that makes your asshole pucker to the size of a decimal point - you know what I mean - You've just recreated the worst possible nightmare this side of malignant cancer, for the twentieth goddamn time; and you're standing there and you suddenly realise, Hey, I'm still... here. I'm still breathing. I'm still alive. Us lemons, we fuck shit up all the time on purpose. Because we constantly need to remind ourselves we're alive. Gambling's not your problem. It's this fucked up need to feel something. To convince yourself you exist. That's the problem.

[VonDox]

Thank you for sharing your story. Playing as an AP requires that you master both the technical skills and invest a LOT of time in practice, study and resources (BJ software such as CVCX, or BJA so that you can self test) and that you can master your emotions. I never drink when I play, no matter how frustrated I might feel inside I have to stay focused on the cards and counting. One slip in concentration while making it look effortless could be the difference between winning and losing. You have to have a disciplined betting system and stick to it. You have to have limits as to how long you play, when you play and how you play. If I am sick, tired, hungry I simply DO NOT PLAY. I might want to.. but I don't. Mastering emotions is crucial, for example, yesterday I was playing at my local casino.. I had a trip bankroll of $5k and was bouncing between tables depending upon the conditions and how crowded they were. In one session I had a Red 7 running count of +6 and so I was playing 2 spots of $75.00. On hand #1 I got 2 ACES and hand #2 I got two 8's and I split both. So my $150 bet now was $300.00 I then got an 8 for my for my first ACE (19) and a 9 (20) on the second ACE. On my second hand I got another 8 (split), so hand #1 I got a 9 (17), hand #2 I got a 2 (double, I pull a 10 for 20) the third hand a 10 for (18). The dealer was showing a 6 and I think I have it made. Dealer pulls a 4 then an ace for a 21. I lost $375.00 in one hand. I didn't get mad, frustrated ( maybe for a few seconds ) but the main thing is I kept the count in my head the whole time. I did make a little 'show of it' because just sitting there would look weird but thats camoflage ( or at least 95% ). The table was all groaning with me.. So, if you do all of the above, master the skills without an error, master your emotions and be disciplined you can try card counting and see where it takes you.. Don't expect just because you can count cards you have created an ATM... I ended my session at -$1,100.00 down for the day. I wasn't upset or anything because I know in the long run I will come up ahead. I have up days and down days. Also, as a side note, I seem to remember my big losses super clear but I never seem to remember what cards I had when I win... (is that just me?)

[Jughead]

Thanks for the first hand account VonDox. That's a tough swing for sure. I definitely think its normal to remember the exact way you lose vs remembering the details of how you won. I'm going to go ahead and buy CVCX and continue to practice for a while.

[Archvaldor]

Can a degenerate gambler like myself ever turn into a successful AP?

Generally speaking it is a bad idea for a degenerate gambler to try to become an AP.

The psychological stress of AP can be intense. It is difficult enough for those of us who have never had the urge to gamble compulsively.

I would ask yourself: what was causing you to gamble compulsively? Do you have issues with self-image? Do you value yourself as a person? If you do not it is very likely you will revert to using gambling as a form of self-punishment.

Only IF you have resolved all of your personal problems would it be possible for you to try and even the score with the casinos. Even then I wouldn't recommend it: it is very likely some latent form of self-loathing is deeply buried and will manifest itself at some later date when you are on a downswing or experiencing emotional problems.I'm sorry I can't be more positive but I think you just need to stay away from gambling. There are lots of other opportunities out there which are generally more lucrative.

[21forme]

I vote no. The brain of a successful AP is wired differently than a gambler.

[VonDox]

What might be a better option is for Jughead to seek some professional therapy and perhaps have a professional determine to what extent his ADHD or possible addictions might come into play. As I mentioned if he can succuesfully self-enforce some personal rules he might be able to exert the correct discipline to be an AP. Let's face it, this 'calling' for lack of a better word draws a lot of people of varying make-ups, ambitions and drives.. I play because I like the challenge and it helps me to step-away from the responsibilities and demands of my day job and dealing with employees and customers. It's me, the dealer and the cards.

[Jughead]

I'm really not sure what the reasoning is for the compulsive gambling. I've always just kind of chalked it up as a night of entertainment but if I'm totally honest with myself it is an addicting and costly habit. I guess I should clarify that I've never gambled with the grocery money so to speak. I take care of my bills and responsibilities. For now my course of action will be just stay out of the casinos for a few months to make sure I have that capability. In the meantime I will continue to practice counting and learning indices. I do believe if I go into it with a plan like VonDox has said, like limit my time to 1 hour sessions and make sure I am in a good mental state, that I could make it work for me. I normally walk around the casino aimlessly with no plan at all. I appreciate the honest opinions, I didn't ask the question just to hope and read responses that I wanted to see/hear.

[Gramazeka]

Help for you-

https://www.blackjackinfo.com/commun...ounting.14297/

https://www.blackjackinfo.com/commun...uestions.9666/

p.s.

Am I the only one who thinks this is spam with a lot of supposed newbies?

[Archvaldor]

I'm really not sure what the reasoning is for the compulsive gambling. I've always just kind of chalked it up as a night of entertainment but if I'm totally honest with myself it is an addicting and costly habit. I guess I should clarify that I've never gambled with the grocery money so to speak. I take care of my bills and responsibilities. For now my course of action will be just stay out of the casinos for a few months to make sure I have that capability. In the meantime I will continue to practice counting and learning indices. I do believe if I go into it with a plan like VonDox has said, like limit my time to 1 hour sessions and make sure I am in a good mental state, that I could make it work for me. I normally walk around the casino aimlessly with no plan at all. I appreciate the honest opinions, I didn't ask the question just to hope and read responses that I wanted to see/hear.

You are not listening. This will end badly.

You sound like a recovering crack addict who thinks one more hit can't hurt.

[Canceler]

When I first started reading the OP, I thought, sure, you can do it if you have discipline. The next thing I read is that you don't have discipline. So, I'm with the group voting that it's a bad idea.