Professional Blackjack

I want to be a professional blackjack player. What are my chances of success, percentagewise, after one year? I know nothing about the game.

I played the game seriously for several years. There is definitely money to be made if you can stand the extreme bankroll flucuations. The biggest drawback is that you will have to move around the country to play games. It dosen't take the casinos long to identify you as an advantage player. They will take such actions as shuffling any time you raise your bet, placing a dealer at your table who will count along in the game, be told you can only flat bet, be told you can play any game except blackjack, be told to leave the casino. The pressure is extreme trying not to give yourself away. I got where I played no more than 45 minutes at any one shift(there are 3 shifts) and stayed away at least 3 months before I played the same casino again.


Team play is the best method, but that has a lot of down sides also.

I'm not a pro, nor have I ever been, but I know enough to recommend against it. The profit margins are narrow, and there is no room for error. You've got to have a mind like a steel trap, combined with fair acting ability, combined with an astronomical bankroll.


And lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of practice and study.


On the other hand, it only takes a few weeks of preparation to make up to $8/hr. at a loose low-limit poker game. *ducks incoming criticism*

I would start by saying I'm not a professional blackjack or poker player. I have played blackjack fairly seriously at times over the years, and it is tough way to go. You have to be constantly using your mind and acting ability to stay one step ahead of the house. I gave it up a few years ago because it was only marginally profitable, and I really didn't enjoy spending time like that in a casino.


I play poker now, and I make at least as much as I did playing blackjack, and I enjoy it a lot more. You don't have to duck the house, and sitting at a poker table with the kinds of characters I usually play with is infinitely more fun.


Good Luck,


Fitz