Is Card Counting Worth Your Time?

A popular blog post on 888Casino discourages readers from counting cards. In this video, long time card counter Colin Jones responds to what the blog post claims and walks through what it got right, and where it may have missed the mark.
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0:00 Intro
1:00 Is Card Counting Hard to Learn?
2:51 Can You Still Find Good Blackjack Games?
4:17 Is It Hard to Count Cards in Casinos?
6:49 What Is The Profit Potential Counting Cards?
9:30 Bankroll Swings
10:53 Will You Get Caught?
11:42 Do Casinos Share Your Photo?

[@enochbird3862]

I was overwhelmed by the chart when I first looked at it. Then I realized it is almost exactly what I would have already chosen to do with like 30 exceptions, and those exceptions are easy to memorize because they become obvious once you really think about them.

[@stevenhogg4913]

Learning to fight my ADHD and distractions at the casino by practising while my phone and tv are playing different shows. Definitely my biggest struggle and my last hurdle before being confident enough to play for real

[@liveBasschannel]

jeez give yourself a chance, enjoy a show and play a game... listening to two shows is plain torture

[@loganwright6829]

@@liveBasschannel bro adhd brain is able to handle multiple stimuli at the same time, it processes info ~4x the the average speed… that’s why it always seems like adhd people are never present bc they have usually already processed the info and are already onto a different train of thought… leads to hella forgetfulness tho lol

[@liveBasschannel]

@@loganwright6829 the dude says hes listening to two shows at the same time. thats not ADHD ! thats just madness like i see at the institute

[@TMJJack]

I'm not kidding: that was the best thirteen minutes and four seconds of my entire life. It's all downhill from here.

[@HippySpeedballPodcast]

Haha going to Vegas tomorrow, great timing!

[@stephenouma]

Let us know how much you make next week, TY

[@Brian-cb2vc]

🙄 casinos love "up and coming" card counters.

[@tony7132901]

Bro don't waste your time with Vegas

[@yourknightmanny]

How did it go?

[@yourknightmanny]

@@tony7132901 why? Because you think every game at the casino is rigged?

[@ronknowles8865]

I recently bought your book for my wife, and now I’m hooked. Counting is the way to go 😎

[@mikecooper5780]

Thanks for the content ! Keep making more videos please !

[@luckyheart8279]

I think card counting has to fit your personality. This article seems to assume some things... Great video!

[@thiccodatchi3020]

Hey man, just found this channel yesterday and find the videos and info quite entertaining. I'm not planning to be a card counter though (not in the near future at least) cuz I live in the Philippines and our casinos here are kinda scummy.

[@danielchenefront8197]

HI Colin i wish to be in USA to play and meet you, you have guive me a lots of advice and thank you for ,continue the good work Daniel from OZ

[@Pokarface7]

I think that as a hobby that YOU enjoy, every activity is worth your time as long as you like it

[@drymedow]

After this video I need to plan a roadtrip to USA, because here in Europe I think all the games are pretty bad. What an awesome channel !!!

[@Campy1]

How do you plan on driving here from Europe?

[@BKWalrus]

Be careful. The roads are wet this time of year.

[@kolmogorovaxiom1493]

Here is another thing claimed by that article: It is possible to beat the house at any game, and that blackjack is low on the list of beatable games. I think that deserves another face palm

[@Andrew17B]

For the first part. Is it possible to beat the house at every game? Yes absolutely. Now, is it PROBABLE to beat the house at every game? Absolutely NOT. Personally my poison is roulette and baccarat. And while I'm far from a professional level player at either of those, I have made some pretty good money off both. Admittedly, for these two games specifically I rely on instincts as well, rather than any one mathematical way of playing. But for roulette specifically, even though most dealers will tell you they don't control their spins, the good ones can influence it, and picking up on those patterns can help you win. Even dealers who don't intentionally control their spins (and btw, there's no dealer in the world that can hit the exact number they want every time, it's about influence, not precision) you can sometimes pick up patterns in their "chaotic" spinning, although these are definately not as easy it profitable. As far as blackjack being on the low end, I'll say this. If you are not a good counter (which I'm admittedly not the best, I've only ever self taught) then yea BJ will be hard to beat. But for a professional who does this all the time, and who's refined their mathematical skills. I'd say it'd probably be one of the easiest.

[@treasurewuji8740]

Either the writer is hired by the casinos or the writer know black magic

[@magicwithin6873]

I love the new editing. Love the b roll and gifs

[@robcoop6521]

Off topic, but I do like the way you advertise. It's not forced. You give information in your videos and it is just a casual plug. It flows with the video and just works. Probably the best style I have seen. It doesn't feel intrusive.

[@MondoLeStraka]

Getting distracted in a casino?!?!?! Lol. I have ADHD and I can count perfectly!

[@chriscarlone527]

God. Had such a rough night tonight. Worst night since I started, but your videos remind me to never give up. I've put too much time into learning the game and getting counting down to stop now. Tonight I learned how bad my basic strategy memorization is, and why even with solid counting and TC conversion, they don't mean crap without the basics down perfectly. Next month I'm getting the spreadsheets out. This week is basic strategy drill until I get it inside my head how to play soft hands correctly, then next week more deviations. I am going to walk away with $100,000 by the end of the year from playing or die trying.

[@stevenhelgason8190]

Hang in there Chris. Yes...get the soft hand strategy down pat. They're important!

[@chriscarlone527]

@@stevenhelgason8190 Thanks Steve. Pleasure to run into you on another one of BJAs videos. I went to Foxwoods the other night and lost $2400, nearly half of what I worked up to the past three months, but I stuck around and played for a bit and made half of it back. I had a couple of really good shoes with good high true counts, but the variance was getting me and the rest of the table bad. I finished the night strong on one good shoe with a solid +2 and +3 TC practically throughout the shoe. I was starting to get heat so I took what I recouped and ran. Lol It's alright. I'll try again tonight. The Seminole in Florida next month is my big test. They don't allow surrender at their tables from what I remember, so the basic strategy deviations will come into play heavily there. Card counting paid off. They gave me a three night hotel comp. Lol

[@stevenhelgason8190]

​@@chriscarlone527 Good to hear from you too Chris. Hope you can add to that bankroll a bit more tonight. I'll have limited play time in the coming month. Heading to Alaska to the land of the midnight sun and no blackjack! My 8 hour, nearly 150 unit slide appears to have ended. But I've only rebounded around 25 -30 units in the last 3 hours. Can't seem to capitalize on the big bets. For instance last night after wonging out once, I finally got up to a +27 RC with 2.5 decks remaining in a good penetration 8 deck game - best count I've seen in quite a while. The RC count remained in the low 20's and the teens till the cut card. But I lost just as much as I won in the 7 or 8 rounds of max bets that I put out. Ended the shoe with only $87.50 profit off of it haha. But....at least it wasn't a loss.

[@chriscarlone527]

@@stevenhelgason8190 I had a really rough week. I had gone to Mohegan Sun on Saturday, played during peak time for them so the table minimums were higher, kept getting good shoes but constant people jumping in and out, so I barely got any good hands, lost $3800. Then I went back the next day and played for 9 hours straight and got all of it back. Then today I went to Twin River in Lincoln RI and lost $2000 in less than two hours on really bad shoes. The counts weren't even bad, just every hand I was losing non stop. Even requested shuffles twice, no good. I had about $400 bankroll left, hopped onto their $15 tables, made $1200, then lost all of that on bad shoes. I did everything right, split when I was supposed to, double when I was supposed to, raise bets when I was supposed, and I still lost it all. My bankroll has essentially been wiped. I have $1000 now, after months of work and playing sometimes four or five times a week. I'm just not sure I'm cut out for this kind of thing. My counting is fine, my basic strategy needed work and I've been correcting it, and I know about six deviations from the Illustrious 18, but I still lost everything I worked up towards. I don't think I have it in me to do this more than once or twice a month. I just can't afford it if the swings are going to be that bad.

[@stevenhelgason8190]

@@chriscarlone527 The game can break your heart at times. I wish there was a way, playing solo, to greatly reduce or eliminate the money wagered at a true 1 or less. But its almost impossible, hence the rationale for team play. Wonging out helps. So does sitting out a few rounds when the table is crowded and the count low. In my situation. I'm away from casinos for half the year. When I'm in Iowa. there are a couple reasonably close, but I'm hours away from any major metropolitan area where there are more opportunities. I feel good about my skills, but I may break down and join BJA. It may be worth it just for the forum and training/practice tools (though I have others). If you've read "Burning the tables at Las Vegas", or watched the recent movie "Inside the Edge", both describe brutal prolonged downturns in advantage play. It's tough. Good luck in your future endeavors Chris and sorry for your recent losses. I'm down a couple thousand in my recent limited play too. I guess the difference between AP and gamblers is that gamblers will brag about how much they win. Counters can brag about how much they lose!

[@Caneyhead123]

Memorizing Basic strategy and deviations are one thing. Committing it to the subconscious is another.

[@Pokarface7]

I think that as a hobby that YOU enjoy, everything is worth your time

[@americanjustice2722]

The other thing that these articles don’t take into account is sometimes they will back off a player only because they are beating the house not necessarily card counting! I used to be a blackjack dealer Las Vegas. I remember a graveyard shift in the old part of town. A guy came in and started playing blackjack started with $200 he was playing two hands built it up to where he was betting $1000 a hand and kicking the crap out of the house! He went all the way up to $50,000 ended up cashing out $36,000 and believe you me they try to do everything that they could changing dealers changing the cards they would’ve change the table if they could have! 😂 that time they didn’t back him off but there’s been many times where they have backed people off and said they were advantage player or were they?

[@seanmckelvie3360]

Just came back from Las Vegas armed with basic strategy from Colin and BA. 6-5 tables are growing in number but I do get the sense that even they know they are pushing past acceptable limit of greed (bet the big casinos don't stop bad rules anytime soon is a good bet). Still even there I found some good 3-2 tables with good rules. One day when I am able to travel more, I may become a BA member. Quick question for anyone who knows: how do you handle taxes? Can you incorporate? Or do you simply factor personal tax rates into your EV?

[@ozync3000]

BJA the best ever, literally learned everything from these youtube videos

[@UpaUye]

I will learn from u,, i will watch all ur video boss

[@alexanderasner1689]

I believe part of the reason casinos still offer beatable blackjack games is that channels like these and the hype from movies like 21 are actually earning them a shitload of money. It would be very interesting to know how many mediocre card counters with an undersized bankroll have lost whatever they initially invested and never returned to the tables. Think about it. If not true why didn't all casinos simply convert to CSMs to take away the "advantage". I am honest, I never did card counting IRL, because I live in an area of the world where you cannot find a decent game. But I did many hours with card counting training programs and tried to translate the experience to real life. The bottom line is if you have a bankroll that allows you to earn the amounts you mentioned you probably have better ways to invest it. And with a small bankroll, you either do make ridiculously low amounts of money or still deal with a considerable risk of ruin.

[@picklehuntertim]

Good take, the only thing I might add is that casinos are unlikely to convert to CSMs only because the average players distrust them. So their adoption isn't prevented just to get a little money from new/bad APs, but also because the ploppys can protect the APs on this one. Otherwise yes, you're completely right. Similar to why dealers will always offer basic strategy decisions if asked, or sometimes even let you play with the basic strategy table in front of you - because they know that even though it helps a player play closer to breakeven, they're still going to lose, so the casino doesn't mind

[@tmtmtlsml]

@@picklehuntertim As well as player distrust (which is ironic, considering CSMs actually decrease the house edge by a couple tenths of a percent), another reason why casinos are unlikely to go full CSM is the cost. Those things cost thousands of dollars a piece, and they break down as often as any other electronic device in continuous use 24/7/365 does. Compare that to the cost of a shoe and it makes fiscal sense to not go full CSM

[@ianandersen265]

@@picklehuntertim At the first casino I got backed off from (no more blackjack, you can play anything else), they had CSM's. March forward a few years later, they discontinued the CSM's.

[@Gamenetreviews]

I’m sitting on a quarter million dollars and honestly can’t find an investment with a better rate of return.

[@rogerwalker3748]

Great video dude ♠️ sweet 16

[@DanteHatchett_]

You should make a video on if/when you should surrender 15’s & 16’s vs 9-10-A and in what counts should you not surrender & hit/stand instead

[@DanteHatchett_]

@@moneybags209 is that always though, even deep in a negative count? (Suppose it’s a true negative 3, 5 or worse) is there no deviation where it’s better to hit/stand rather than to surrender vs 9-10-A? Or is surrendering 100% the best decision always despite being in a horrible true count.

[@trentongesler9637]

@@DanteHatchett_ That is also on the basic strategy chart. But when it gets really negative there isn't any deviations since you shouldn't be playing into the really negative.

[@DanteHatchett_]

@@trentongesler9637 I usually play until a running negative 10 & wong out (back count) or until I think the count is too far gone toward the end of a shoe to come back into a positive count. But if you look at the deviations chart for the illustrative 18 they say when to stop hitting 15’s & 16’s vs 9-10-A based on the true count. My question would be, if you can surrender should you always 100% surrender those hands? Just because it’s an option, should you always take it? (Ex: taking insurance at a true plus 3 or higher rather than always/never) just because there isn’t a deviation on the illustrative 18 deviations chart, doesn’t mean there isn’t a deviation for those situations based on the true count. Collin says all the time he uses like 50+ different deviations while he plays. If there is a time when it’s better to play the 15/16 vs 9-10-A, at what true negative count should you play and stop surrendering those hands.

[@trentongesler9637]

@@DanteHatchett_ if the chart says to surrender and you have the option to even in negative count situations it is usually better to surrender in the long run. Because the examples of to stand or hit something like a 15 or 16 is what will give you a better advantage if you have to play it. But the best play is to not play it.

[@DanteHatchett_]

@@trentongesler9637 do you play with deviations at all?

[@Liam_ridesbikes]

Would be interested to see how the running costs and time spent on travelling etc. factor in to EV. It's fine saying your EV is $100/hour when sitting at the table playing, but factor in the expenses and travelling time must make a fair dent in that.

[@JosephGiorgiDrums]

You're right, it does. That's why you need a pretty large bankroll to play professionally, if that means doing a lot of traveling. If you have a lot of casinos nearby, and you're just doing this part time or as a side hustle, then the traveling costs don't factor in AS much, and you're making more of a profit. But it definitely is a consideration, and one that needs to be well thought out before you jump into serious advantage play.

[@mknghbrs010]

Lol I have asked fellow players, and the dealer what the count is someone usually tells me, but this is low price 5-200 dollar tables, they will also help with basic strategy.

[@Nsjsjdjdjejjejeje]

For me I’m not able to practice inside a casino because I’m under 18 but I usually listen to casino background audio at almost max volume with ear phones so that I can practice counting in my head with the sounds of the loud casino

[@DeloreanDude.]

This is really good tip, I’m 16 and I have sneaked into casino because they either don’t ask for it because I don’t look that young, or I use a fake id, still not worth the risk if I’m not there to make money yet

[@jdemon11]

Im curious on the tulalip casino cards you use. What do you think of the casino and how did you do there

[@chuckecheese4124]

I love this

[@zero-kc8ym]

Im 14 and my dad worked in surveillance in Nevada and he taught me to count so I have almost a decade to get amazing at counting and all I need to do is go to the strip which is 15 minutes away I will clean them out I hope

[@hov4980]

Lol no offence kid but stay in school, or be more ambitious

[@jackmacziz6140]

So based on everything I’ve learned, all you need to do to count cards is learn basic strategy and perfect it, and then learn how to keep track of the running and true count while not getting distracted in a casino. All that and handling back offs. Someone correct me if I’m missing something

[@jasenwhitney3146]

Deviation helps too.

[@JosephGiorgiDrums]

You need a sizeable bankroll, and you need to learn how to manage. Also you need to learn your betting deviations, i.e. how much money do you bet based on the count. You'll need to learn what rules are good, and what rules are bad, and what to look for in a blackjack game - not all games are equal, and some are so bad that no matter how perfect you are, you still lose. Not only do you need to be absolutely perfect with basic strategy, but you need to know playing deviations as well...and you need to be perfect at them. "handling backoffs" is probably the least important thing, as all you need to do is leave the casino. None of this is particularly difficult - the concepts are actually quite simple. It's being able to put it all together, be perfect at it, and at the same time, NOT looking like a card counter. Did I mention you have to be perfect?

[@chopperread1954]

Colin what do you think of the UK rules on European blackjack ? The casinos I go in don't use csm. But since its European blackjack does this cut the odds ?

[@alsotoo7706]

After everything, I'm just freaked out that you wear your watch on your right wrist. 🤯🤯🤠

[@chrisbrown9644]

Let me ask ya something sir Colin, in your opinion what do you consider more profitable? Poker or BJ ... I’ve been playing poker 16 years and dealing poker games too ... I’ve done good personally but I have watched that movie 21 like 1 or 100 times lol and always wanted to learn this

[@sterlingmoves9314]

Does the website offer information on casinos for brits? I live in uk and am very interested!

[@Malignantt1]

I thought this was going to be in response to one of my forum posts lol

[@morgankane961]

Love the shirt Colin! Where can I get that? :)

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

We had them made a number of years back. I don't think we have any left. Maybe a couple XL's. If that's your size, email me.

[@RyanStarcraftProtoss]

I've done 100's of hours of IT training. Honestly part of me wonders how different things would be if I put that time into learning to count cards. I don't regret it though, I enjoy my job. Tho knowing how to count cards would also be nice.

[@DGinthehouse]

never too late

[@robertocamacho7134]

Did you ever learn?

[@RyanStarcraftProtoss]

@@robertocamacho7134 I did not. I continued on my IT training and making really good money.

[@robertocamacho7134]

Good for you! I also work in IT and I work remotely but still gonna do blackjack :) I even got a second job to save up for my bankroll

[@EthanHancock703]

Although it statistically has no impact on the game, one of the biggest distractions is other people hopping in and out of games. It’s also way more difficult to count more hands per round especially if it’s a DD pitch game. Although the count does change more quickly at a crowded table.

[@steveroberts930]

I’ve been counting since the 70s in Vegas with single decks. It’s tough now with multiple decks, but does work. The question I’ve had for 50 years, is why, if these guys are making so much money, would they tell, or in some cases, need to sell, this information? Why waste your time with KZbin if you’re making millions. I wouldn’t tell anyone but family and friends!

[@Alec0]

Multiple sources of income are less stressful. Also maybe they've been banned from most casinos

[@donjour69]

treating this like some f/t job is impossible to sustain the inevitable losing streaks. This guy has likely touched 6figures in his gambling career & has likely thrown majority back to the casino over the years They obviously charge "apprentices" to learn basic bj strategy and counting techniques. So that this is a perpetual business model. The more apprentice moneys the more bank roll provided to the "pros'"

[@soulzdegraded5775]

nice like my home state texas flexing the most beautiful games

[@basketballgamesnbanba1423]

From what + true count (TC) do You reccomend Colin start playing Wonging ?

[@kiaanderson7665]

I forget in which video he said this, but he reccommends to wong in at a true 2 or 1.5.

[@bensanterre9478]

Are you still doing bootcamps? Do you take students that have learned counts other than Hi-Lo? Or do you only teach Hi-Lo?

[@sebastiandierks7919]

To me, one of the biggest obstacles is actually that I'm not sure there are many casinos with a profitable game in Germany. It's quite hard to find out their game rules on their websites. There is one casino quite close to my place which I thought might be good to practice there. But if I have to fly through Europe to get a game or just to practice, that would be quite a big obstacle to get going. And I want to know about that before putting the 200 hours in. Although I have learned basic strategy anyway.

[@DJRomanCandles]

Go to Poland my friend...

[@sebastiandierks7919]

@@DJRomanCandles thanks, that's good advice😀

[@100100freak]

@@sebastiandierks7919 Hey, how did you decide? just curious..

[@sebastiandierks7919]

@@100100freak I didn't start, I'm focussing on my master's thesis at the moment. Still I'm not completely adversed of trying it at some point

[@KaiiAyrenNevaeh]

I'm in Mexico right now and there's only an endless amount of slots, not a single table in any casino I can find, let alone one with a good game.

[@anthonyvertiz2129]

Just got back from Vegas and following some basic strategies I believe helped me win.. the m not rich YET. But walked in with $60 and came out with $500.. Thanks for your videos

[@louiealberigo5151]

Do all the same principals work for when there's more players at the table? I'm pretty sure I don't have the memory needed for this. 80's and 90's were rough.

[@sethjohnson5887]

Haha. Yes full tables increase your N-0 however the math still works out

[@tendertoez9478]

The only thing I’m worried about is being Welsh there’s only like 5 casinos in my area , as a beginner it’s really hard imagining what to do after they back you off, cuz you might be down in the variance and banned from casinos that don’t require you to spend money on a hotel to stay away

[@erdaddy5845]

How are the games different online or why are they unbeatable? Is it just a brand new deck every hand so there can be no count? What about the live dealer online games? Do they still use a new deck every hand?

[@matisrand7854]

Are you going to be doing any in person boot camps soon?

[@allenfitzpatrick8485]

We don't have many blackjack venues in Australia, and Australia is BIG, I personally think counting is only going tho work in the Northern hemisphere. Which is a shame because I really like the idea of wound ING a, casino 🤣

[@MX-CO]

How do you know if its a beatable game or not? Im in reno Nevada, where is a good place to play in Reno? Also would you play single deck if you could?

[@sherlockholmes276]

I think I'm starting to develop a problem. I'm starting to count cards in my sleep! And build a twitch whenever I have been card counting and stop.

[@nicolasawad4599]

Hey, i've openned your link and tried to to use my email so i can watch your full counting mini-course and it says waiting for confirmation to send you the rest of the videos but nothing pops up on my email... any help ?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Shoot me an email: [e-mail]

[@mycophile2393]

First time ever being backed off tonight, and here i thought nothing was worse than losing.

[@miguelrivas3193]

Do you recomend playing in a casino with no surrender option?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Yeah, if everything else is good.

[@panosdionysopoulos1246]

Hi,If you are playing 1 vs 1 on a table should you Card counting or just follow basic strategy?

[@stevenhelgason8190]

Why would you not count?...to play a losing game? Of course count! Then bet, deviate and wong out accordingly.

[@shreydavuluri5180]

How many members are there on Blackjack Apprenticeship?

[@paulklemer]

Like 7 million

[@JT-lt5gr]

Waiting for tips on card counting in Spanish 21. It can be done. It's a good game, anyway, without counting, just playing perfect strategy. Just wondering if the extra effort is worth it. I guarantee you the casinos don't know how to count cards in Spanish 21 and consider it a carnival game. They don't even know basic strategy.

[@adrianmajkut4204]

Teach me I’m ready

[@basketballgamesnbanba1423]

How many hours should I play monthly playing blackjack to achieve good profits ? thanks

[@UpaUye]

this is good////

[@joshc1394]

I think Im too dumb for this to make money, but I do find it fascinating and enjoy trying to get better.

[@stevenhelgason8190]

Regarding point 3: You mentioned if someone were backed off every hour they'd have to be doing something "wrong"...and since you advocate raising bets appropriately when necessary, and discourage cover plays and camouflage bets, then what would be the "wrong" thing that would cause a quick backoff?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Shifty eyed, looking unnatural, drawing attention to yourself, being combative. Any of those things.

[@stevenhelgason8190]

@@Blackjackapprenticeship Interesting response. I'd have thought that software scrutiny of betting and playing decisions would take precedence over mannerisms. Because there doesn't seem to be a lack of nervous and oddball players out there. Maybe the next questions is: To what extent do humans have in the process of determining who is or isn't an AP?

[@tmtmtlsml]

@@stevenhelgason8190 When I was a dealer, there were 2 giveaways to me: insuring a non-20 hand, and sudden/drastic bet increases/decreases. It's just not practical to expect a dealer (who is busy trying to make sure players don't cap their bets when they aren't looking) or floor supervisors (who have to make sure dealers aren't overpaying or getting abused by idiot gamblers) to constantly keep a running count in their heads while they're responsible for the dozens of other things that goes into their jobs. Most dealers don't even know how card counting works, although basically all supervisors do. Something has to tip them off, and it's usually one of those two giveaways I mentioned. If you can rationalize away how to do that to a dealer that might not otherwise suspect you, then you're pretty golden (use some superstition or rely on "gut feelings" as justification. That's what the other degenerate gamblers do). If the dealer knows how to count cards themselves, there's not really much camouflage you can run. Just be a good player and don't give them a reason to rat you out

[@Infinityover21million]

OMG! Did anyone Notice the underpay at 1:09 with a $500 Dollar Pink Chip with the Ace of Hearts and the Ten of Spades of a pink chip, two black chips and a green chip ( $725)... Then again at 7:36 with a correct payout with the Ace of Hearts and the Ten of Spades of a pink chip, two black chips and two green chips ($750). Am I the only one??? Im assuming BJA noticed the underpay and reshot the payout, but yet somehow missed it in editing? Wild.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Excellent catch, we're pro card counters, but clearly have some room to improve on the editing table haha

[@mduduzizondo3264]

Is card counting and basic strategy going to help against a six deck shoe ?

[@dakpricemusic]

Yes

[@davids5342]

if you could do a video talking about the life of a card counter after you have been backed off and you cannot play with an ID what your realistic profit could be the maximum you can play with etc. the six figure card counter the comps, etc. that’s a very temporary phase

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

There are hundreds and hundreds of casinos in the US alone, there is no point where you cannot play if you want to. Check out Tommy Hyland as an example of someone who's well known, public, and been playing for over 40 years. We also have videos and podcast interviews with him discussing his life and strategies.

[@aamesworld]

Do you guys have merch? 👕

[@TheoreticalRobot]

Hey big fan of the Channel. I’m a little confused though, if you made 600k card counting over 15 years. that means you only make around 60k a year ? Is that a sustainable income for today’s time ? Let alone the gas for travel and tickets etc.

[@tmtmtlsml]

He hasn't been professionally counting cards that entire time. I think he mentioned in a comment on another video that for the past number of years, he's focused on BJA (as well as raising a family) so the numbers aren't truly indicative of profit/hour

[@TheoreticalRobot]

@@tmtmtlsml oh okay, thanks for the clarification.

[@erickr867]

BJ Army! > BJ apprenticeship. This dude strings you along treating you like an ATM.

[@joejackson6205]

My question is how do you build a bankroll, when the cashiers are doing tax filings for every payout over $2,000 dollars??

[@texasrebel7754]

I learned Knock-Out Preferred first since it seemed easier and went out to get some time in at casinos. I totally believe card counting is worth it once you get it down. I can see it when I go get some time in. So far though, overall, my experience has been a brutal one. I only had about 6k to work with and I've blown through about 5k of it just playing $10 minimum tables. I'm confident I'm playing KO correct, but the cards have been nothing short of brutal. I start to win, and then the cards go cold again. When they do work though, it's a work of art. I keep waiting for them to turn. They haven't. I know they will, I believe the math, but if they don't turn soon I'll be out for a while. Perhaps I should plow a bit of what's left into BJA instead while I work on rebuilding the bankroll. : )

[@jasenwhitney3146]

Try some wonging.

[@rocketagp]

As Colin says on BJA, do not play with anything less than a perfect game.

[@meta2076]

can you card count while playing live casinos?

[@alwaysfresh3727]

Collin how do you feel about 2 deck shoes that's what I play

[@krndevil313]

Less decks the better

[@johndough3125]

Ginger: I’ll back him off Ace Rothstein: AND THIS; This is how she backed him off!!

[@mojavedxer]

Colin, I spotted you in 09 during your buy in and you were backed off before the dealer could finish cutting out the cheques. What gave you away. You did not even bother to change your shirt from the night before when the alert from another casino was emailed out. Its things like this and playing with three color cheques in front of you that make a AP stand out like a sore thumb.

[@mrburns805]

I just moved to North Dakota. There are blackjack tables at every bar here. The max bet is only $25 though. Is it worth it to learn? There’s literally 2 tables across the street from my apartment and I doubt there is any security whatsoever.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

You can use betting software to calculate the EV of the games. It probably won't be much, but depends on the rules, deck penetration, etc.

[@Remi-bt7tp]

Wow.. So u are saying there are BJ tables at just a regular sports bars or casual bars in North Dakota that aren’t connected to a casino ?

[@mrburns805]

@@Remi-bt7tp yeah, it’s pretty strange. Most of them have slots too but for some reason poker is illegal.

[@SevenEllen]

How much more do you win, on average, vs how much do you lose?

[@WolfRhymesEntertainment]

hey brotha. my question is what if the dealer uses too many decks of cards to shuffle? is that casino worthless to try to be a black jack champ? i dont really play cards but i want to learn. theres a casino near my house

[@slicric131]

From what I heard from another casino owner who can count cards, doesn’t matter how many cards in the shoe…. The method works.

[@tmtmtlsml]

All things being equal, fewer decks means better odds for the player. All adding a deck will do is increase the house edge by about 0.2%

[@WolfRhymesEntertainment]

@@tmtmtlsml thanks for letting me know! i didnt know that!

[@WolfRhymesEntertainment]

@@slicric131 oh cool thanks for the info!

[@percyblok6014]

Sounds like a gaming industry sponsored article.

[@callmeclutch24]

Does anyone know of a discord for this group?

[@blunk5215]

So I really like your channel and am interested in learning card counting but there is one thing that I don't understand. You say you recommend to play so the risk of losing your bank roll is about 1%. But if you play let's say 100 sessions with the risk of 1% each your overall risk is (as long as I don't make a dumb calculation mistake) 0,99^100 which is roughly 0,36. So only 1 in 3 card counters would not lose their bank roll in 100 sessions. The thing is most card counters don't play 100 but thousands of sessions which should make the risk of losing it all very high. But that's just my theory. Am I not understanding something?

[@thesuttenburger]

My understanding is it's not that you have a 1% chance to lose in a single session because I don't think you're betting all of your bankroll. I def don't understand the math and have just been watching. The definition of risk of ruin means if it's 1% Risk of Ruin, 1 out of 100 card counters will go bankrupt in the long term throughout their entire life. I have no clue how the math works lol, but I think you're overthinking it?

[@itsrrraven]

its not the risk of losing it all in one session, its the risk of losing it all period. while i cant give you the exact math behind it, i can tell you how it works the long run is able to be calculated, ie, how many hours it takes before the variance should (and this is the key word here) have worn off the % given is how likely that a downswing can last long enough that you dont actually make it there. RoR is not the only thing you need to worry about. withdrawing from your bankroll increases risk, the % chance of hitting 50% or 75% loss also isnt a part of this. its only the chance of the bankroll hitting flat 0.

[@treasurewuji8740]

That is why you have an exist amount and you don’t resize up infinitely.

[@liveBasschannel]

@@itsrrraven and lets say you have a ROR of 1% and bring 2k to the table each time out of your 50K bankroll, well if you have ten losing sessions and are down to 40K, you can go back to bringing 1K to the table for a while and you ROR will actually be lower with lower bets until you are back to the 50K roll

[@Ethandh1]

You said this wouldn’t work with online blackjack... but what if it’s LIVE online Blackjack?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Nope. We have a video on this.

[@TheDombrowSKISKI]

Hey man! Ive been playing a PERFECT game for the last 2 or so years, but recently Ive been watching your videos and decided to try counting. The only problem is that im cold.... like ice cold. Im playing a perfect game, but only end up winning 1 or 2 hands. This happens where -ever I go (I live in Vegas). Have any words of advice? I almost dont want to play anymore... I loose ALL THE TIME strictly based on "luck" - as in - the dealer is "lucky"

[@shred9395]

You can’t have a perfect game without bankroll management, perfect betting, perfect basic strategy, perfect deviations , and perfect counting . By reading your comment I can tell you don’t have any of these . That’s why you’re losing, and you don’t practice at a casino. Everyone should practice at home

[@stevenhelgason8190]

Assuming your play is indeed "perfect" why would you draw a conclusion from what is apparently a very small sample of results?

[@thebitlot]

Are there any other games in a casino where the player may increase their competitive odds thru legal means?

[@stevenhelgason8190]

poker and sports betting

[@Remi-bt7tp]

Carnival games in casinos can be beaten. It’s more advanced advantage play than just simple card counting but players can get small edge and beat them.

[@blurryct]

I remember when on my 18th birthday(u can gamble on Indian reservations at 18 in MI) I doubled on a 12 not knowing what I’m doing and it worked out for me and the floor manager asked me what I was doing 😂😂

[@sharpshades]

The thing I like about you is as a card counter all of your points aren’t based on really any anecdotes. You use math to figure out how often players are backed off and you already know the risks and profit you can make whereas they made a lot of points without all the data to back it.

[@mikefigures5075]

What does the author have his PhD in ? Poetry ?

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

Better odds at playing Baccarat.

[@mogrizzy]

I have been trying to count cards for a month now and i cant seem to get it yet. I can keep up with the count at the casino.. But i never seem to win... I had 300$ i jumped in on a table thats at p10 last night on a 25$.. Lost it in 4 hands. The guy next to me was so pissed i jumped in the middle of the shoe. He told me he didnt want me to play like that. Can i just say screw him anf play however i want?

[@stevenhelgason8190]

Yes.

[@tmtmtlsml]

If you're going to count cards in a casino, you have to learn how to either 1) roll with the degenerate gamblers blaming you for everything wrong in their lives, or 2) tune them out completely. I prefer option 2, but that's just personal choice. If you let them in your head, you're better off finding another line of work because they will destroy you like they're destroying themselves

[@landinlabreck9088]

How do you feel about trying to count cards on a online live dealer?

[@VidasIsjumping]

It is not recommended at all, they mix up the card decks too often.

[@UnknownUser12316]

I remember you made a video of another post of Eliot Jacobson PhD saying "Never count cards? Is the PhD in math wrong?" I think that video was deleted.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Yup.

[@skyedge3407]

It's just his opinion. It is mostly due to the fact that so much advantage play exists which is easier to do than card counting. Not easier in terms of "skills" but you can hole card many of these less popular carnival games and get up to 20% advantage, and no one is watching you. So why grind out a 1-2% advantage with everyone watching you?

[@tmtmtlsml]

@@skyedge3407 Because you could watch a TCP table for a month and not see a dealer expose their hole card once. You can sit down on any non-CSM blackjack table and count cards immediately

[@skyedge3407]

@@tmtmtlsml If you play with a dealer protecting their hole card it will take a month or months. Typically you should see a weak dealer before you sit at the table. See if they are exposing before you play. AP's used to sell a list of weak dealers in any given area.

[@Phlegethon]

Elliot is generally a good dude though

[@Tom_Het]

"Point #4: The house edge is so high that you still can't make money even in a beatable game. ... uhhh.... please keep coming to the casino, though..."

[@commandernoodles2367]

what's the name of your book???

[@paulklemer]

I don't want to tip but I also feel bad when I don't tip 😭

[@allenfitzpatrick8485]

I think tipping only encourages employers to underpay their employees, if they paid them what they are truly worth there would be no need to tip.

[@ObsessiveGod]

I like your shirt! Mostly because I'm vegan

[@bryguysays2948]

RPC is a superior strategy.

[@huckleberryfinn8795]

The article was definitely written by a Casino manager 😂😂

[@CajunGreenMan]

The blog post reads like that guy got PAID by the casinos to hyper exaggerate to try to scare people off from card counting.