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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by paymypush; 01-04-2018 at 06:45 AM.
@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.
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