I want to start this thread by providing a little background on myself.

I first entered a casino at age 18, playing a $5 H17 6 deck CSM game on a cruise ship. Before I played I studied basic strategy for a few days but didn't have the soft hands or splits memorized perfectly and certainly made mistakes.

I am now 21 years old, have visited many casinos, both domestically and abroad. Basic strategy for each rule and deck variation is second nature and counting using Hi Lo is simple to perform while carrying on a conversation. I have had bets pushed back once, at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. I do not attribute my lack of back offs to superior play or cover ability, but rather realistically to an insufficient spread.

In my 3 years of casino experience, I have arrived at a point where I presently consider myself an extreme amateur in terms of advantage play, but an extreme professional when compared to your everyday civilian. I have recently come to the realization that while I finish at university and continue to be limited by my bankroll, counting is not an overall positive endeavor for me. It is time consuming, risky, and extremely limited by game conditions (6 deck H17 games just don't present significant player edges frequently enough).

That said, I DO see re-implementing counting into my repertoire within a couple years. In the meantime, I will continue to visit casinos. In my many visits thus far, I have kept my eyes open. Anybody who says it is impossible to play with an edge at an 8 deck, 6:5, H17 game is only partially correct. There are potential advantages, LARGE ones, in nearly every game. There is money hanging there waiting to be taken, it is only a matter of who can get it first. Following from this is the possibility of a narrow-minded counter sitting down at the nonexistent dream table of 1 deck, S17, RSA, LS, with no doubling restrictions and 5 cards cut off, and missing a greater edge available at the circus table next to him that deals 4 of 8 decks.

I would like to talk to somebody who has experience using these methods extensively, and whether or not they are feasible for long term gains.

If you are interested in helping me, I would be very grateful. Beyond just this inquiry, I would love to have a long term mentor to contact year after year as I continue expanding my play. I graduate from a top national Business school in the Spring. I have a job opportunity in Santa Monica, but have not determined with any reasonable level of certainty where I will reside long term.

Please post your email if you have feedback or are interested in exchanging communication!