Roll on the Line. The time has come

[The Buzzard]

First I wanna say how thankful I am for this forum- It was like Christmas morning when I discovered it and my heart was broke when blackjackinfo shut down. I may come across brash or insensitive at times but this is only because of my own shortcomings and I mean no harm. I am here to learn and also to contribute my experience to the community for what it's worth.
It is fitting I find you now as I am going full time monday, next week. I have never done this. My goal is 35 hours of playtime weekly with 5 days a week at my disposal. I am 38, have a wife and two kids in my home in New Jersey. All the casinos are about 30 minutes which is half my job commute.
I have 70k in my savings account. My living expense is 2500$ a month. Basically I set aside 20k so I can live for 8 months, at which point, if I make it, I am hoping to see a return. If not, I will continue bravely forth into the unknown.
I owned my own business for 5 years and the lease runs out friday. This has been my ambition for over a decade. I am perfectly willing to accept failure.
I made 45k a year before tax and lived relatively comfortably with this. I would be encouraged and able to survive if I can make 35 k in my first year ( I will have limited extra income and support but not much). While this may seem like pennies to some-I'm telling you I would rather make 35k a year doing this than working like a normal human being. That being said- more will be welcomed!
I use REKO. Not much but I have used it for a long time and feel more comfortable knowing I have an unbalanced system mastered rather than second guessing my skill with a more powerful one.
To be honest I will probably stop if my account hits $15000. So my roll is only 35k with 8 months expenses and a year to double it.
I think this should be doable.
I will play in PA- there are 4 casinos I will hit on a rotation, spending the most time at 2 of the four, because the penetration is very good. I will camp for 6-7 hour sessions with no cover other than moving pits after ending a shoe with large bets. I don't get rated and have recieved heat from only one pitboss on one occassion and i camp at these tables mercilessly spreading like a madman.
I will spread 10-200 or 15-200 at a minimum, most likely a bit higher.
Anyway-I am excited for this- I do not contend that I am a pro or that I even deserve the opportunity-I welcome all criticism and such. I will add more if there are questions or interest. And I started a blog - what is there is just a random few weeks that I experienced last year where I happened to be winning. I will leave actual daily results there. asscrackofblackjack.com
Oh, and if there are those wondering what is offered out here its 8 deck monsters, s17, LS.


The Buzzard

[freehope]

Could you tell what is the penetration of 8 decks and 6 decks?

[Three]

I will camp for 6-7 hour sessions with no cover other than moving pits after ending a shoe with large bets. I don't get rated and have recieved heat from only one pitboss on one occassion and i camp at these tables mercilessly spreading like a madman.
I will spread 10-200 or 15-200 at a minimum, most likely a bit higher.

Your max bet is just under the pinch point for many casinos which is good. Camping out for so long will lose these stores pretty quick especially if you are winning. You might want to hit them in pairs , each pair twice a week. That would be 4 days a week. Hit casino A and B so you are playing them half your 6 to 7 hours each but the second time in the week hit them in the reverse order so you won't be playing the same shifts at the same casinos the second time that week. To compensate for the lack of a 6-7 hour day your when you go from 5 days/week to 4, you can play each day 4 hours at each casino. 5 days * 6.5 hours/day = 32.5 hours. 4 days at 8 hours/day is 32 hours. Hopefully this will take them much longer to notice you.

[DM21]

I think that you may want to think about spreading your play around a little more and rethink the time spent camping out at the same casinos. I don't think you will last long if you play 35 hours a week with most of your time at 2 casinos. Being a FT player will require you to travel much more. Once you get burned at one of the casinos, you will be radioactive for a while in the whole area. It would be a good idea to have a large rotation of games so if you get burned in an area, you can just take it out of the rotation for 3 - 6 months. I am not sure if you plan on updating your blog with your adventure but I would get rid of it. You don't want anything that may link you to when, where and style of play.

I don't want to put a damper on your plan but I feel there are some things you should consider. I wish you good luck on your new career and I hope it works out well for you. Keep us updated on how it goes, but just keep it vague.

DM

[Bef]

What's your hourly rate in those games? Wondering what your expected annual income would be and your ROR. I agree...feels like only 4 casinos and that many hours would be a lot. That's what I have in my area, and I'm trying to picture hitting them that often. Actually, if you stick to each twice a week, that might be alright I guess...just make sure you utilize different shifts, dress differently, etc.

[Halbruno]

I hate to poo-poo your enthusiasm, but you sound a bit green like I was when I started. Now I am blackeye'd from blackjack and poorer. You mention having wife and kids. With such an obligation, you are better off going part-time. I would never recommend anyone playing blackjack full-time without professional training/evaluation. You'll find that 35 hours is unrealistic due to physical limitations and game conditions. More time doesn't necessarily equal more EV. A quality game and conditions are what you have to look for. You may spend a good part of your playing day looking for that one table if you are patient and disciplined. As a rule, keep your sessions short especially after a big win. "Camping" is never a good idea.

[biggg]

You need a larger rotation of casinos. Also you need to learn how to beat some games other than bj which will help expand your rotation of casinos to play. Obviously it can be a long road to get into hole card plays but I would start by hitting the comp and mailer game hard through VP especially in AC right now. Some of the offers I am getting are absurd.

I would at least move to KO or UBZ since if you are playing so many hours the added win rate will make it worth your time.

[Rudy]

35 hours weekly is too much my friend, they will have much more time to qualify what kind of player you are, my suggestion short sessions with a decent spread. I'm with biggg too, If you want to take it seriously you should switch to stronger count, maybe to a balanced count but better to a level 2 count, your BR and your family will thank you, Is my humble opinion.

[Hsiaodi]

I think the best advice I can give right now is to take your website down, which no one had brought up again......
Your anonymity in the long run may be what's keeping your in the game.

I think someone shared a little too much a few years ago.... Was found by some fans, didn't end pretty.

Also why would you want the casinos to know where to find you, your patterns of play. Maybe you're not at a "critical" level of play yet, but someone who wants to put all the pieces together, will be able to easily.

[moo321]

Ugh, I wouldn't try this with a wife and kids and your bankroll level, and your location. I think you're going to get burned out faster than you think. If you are willing to move around the east coast, you might be ok, but I wouldn't want to try to play 20 hours a week at one casino.

[njrich]

Spreading 20:1 and camping at a PA casino? Please give me a break. Pure bull****.

[Hsiaodi]

A good act can get you there. But 2 to 4 times a week at the same store..... 4 to 6 hrs at a time. Mmmmm

[njrich]

No act will get you there.
You can not spread like that without drawing heat in PA. I don't care if your Robert Deniro.