Hold'em VS. Blackjack

PizzaBoyPetey · #1 04-30-2005, 01:06 AM

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

signal · #2 04-30-2005, 02:13 PM

hi,

i think you should go with poker. card counting has only one pro (you can make EV +1% or something); however, the cons are monotony, long learning curve, absence of fun (i.e. don't lose the count), etc.

Poker, on the hand, is more incremental. You do not need to spend a lot of time studying to at least break even at the lower limits (play tight,etc). BJ is more algorithmic (usually there is one optimal play); however, poker is more flexible in that regard.

I *think poker is more profitable quicker, but i did not rigorously analyze this. someone else probably has....

but of course you can play both. good luck.

KenProspero · #3 04-30-2005, 05:47 PM

There are a few problems with card counting.

1. It's incredibly difficult. Although the good counters have a small edge over the casino, the 'bad' counters get killed. My guess would be that over the years the casinos have made much more from people who think they know how to count than they've lost from the pro's.

2. Casino's don't like good card counters. Like they REALLY don't like them. If you're good, they'll eventually find out and ban you from the casino.

Problems with Poker

1. The 'rake' as a percentage of $bet in the table is greater than the house edge to blackjack if you play 'basic strategy' perfectly. However, when you sit down, your assumption is that you're better than the other players by enough to offset the rake. Many can do it.

Advantages to Poker.

1. If you're better than the other players at whatever level you play at, the game is beatable.

2. The house doesn't care how much you win, or what stategies you do to win (assuming you don't cheat .... they care a lot about that). All they care about is how many chips hit the table in any given hand so they get their rake.