Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

Assume that I'm new to Poker, and I'm new to card-counting. How will my time be better spent? Devoted to card-counting or poker? Note that I realize that neither is easy to do well. Am I right in assuming card-counting is easier? I also realize that poker is likely more fun in the long run. Also consider the short run: Which will be profitable quicker? Also consider online play as a factor; I don't live in LV but I go there a few times a year.. thanks for your input

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

poker is more fun profitable and easier

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

wtf is up with that avatar?

OUCH!

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

POKER BY A LANDSLIDE!

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

[ QUOTE ]
Assume that I'm new to Poker, and I'm new to card-counting. How will my time be better spent? Devoted to card-counting or poker?

[/ QUOTE ]

The glory days of card counting are behind us. There is more heat from the pit, and anti-counter measures have increased significantly over the past several years (Safejack, Mindplay, etc.). Most of the games aren't as good as they used to be (poor deck penetration).

I used to make good money counting cards, but it's not worth the trouble anymore.

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

I saw this thread and just played -EV blackjack on an online casino for the first time ever. For no reason. Thanks.

-Michael

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

Just saw in the news that blackjack is now paying 6 to 5 now instead of 3 to 2. Ugh.

Casinos have always been insanely greedy, but it's pretty much hopelessly out of control now. God forbid a game of chance should actually have a chance you could win once in a while.

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

I used to be a recreational card counter, making a few visits to LV every year. I can only say that I wish I discovered poker way earlier. It's not even close.

However, if I lived in Vegas I would probably do both, with poker being like 95% of my time and blackjack 5% (when I am feeling poker burnout).

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

[ QUOTE ]
I saw this thread and just played -EV blackjack on an online casino for the first time ever. For no reason. Thanks.


[/ QUOTE ]

Did you win? [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Hold\'em Vs. Blackjack
 

Poker, and it's not even close. Ignoring all issues of ease of learning, ease of implementation, bankroll requirements, win rate, etc., the deciding factor is the casino's response. They hate card counters, take aggressive measures to stop them, and once you're discovered, or even suspected, of being a card counter, you can get banned from blackjack in every casino in Nevada. Winning poker players, on the other hand, are welcomed with open arms. With blackjack, you're taking the casino's money. With poker, you're taking another player's money, and paying the casino a percentage. Which do you think is long-term +EV?

Online blackjack, as I understand it, reshuffles after ever hand, thus rendering card counting useless. Otherwise bots would have bankrupted the casinos long ago.