black jack vs getting a job

[GeorgeD]

Don't play poker myself, but heard it said that if you don't figure out who the fish are within a few minutes of sitting at a poker table, then you're probably one.

Poker has a lot going for it but it is even more complicated than BJ and other games against the house. Like BJ it has a cash variant and a tournament variant which are not the same thing, surely closer in poker than in BJ but they are still not the same game.

For one, you never can be sure who is going to be sitting at a table with you, and it doesn't take too many competent players to screw you out of your EV. Determining who is competent, who is lucky, who is acting, and who is colluding is a form of scouting and costs a lot more time and money than just looking for good pen.

Then there's the problem of the shark/fish ratio at higher limits. I wouldn't want to have to rely on poker for an income, probably better suited to a recreational player.

 

[callipygian]

something may be said for all the young ones going "pro" playing poker these days.

Yeah, there's far fewer real pros than are claimed. If you get lucky in a major tournament, you're pretty much a pro by definition for at least a few years, as it's highly unlikely you can lose it all. During that stretch, you are living off of poker winnings, and many people call themselves "pros," but they're still losing players.

Poker has a lot going for it but it is even more complicated than BJ ... you never can be sure who is going to be sitting at a table with you

Definitely more complicated, but the win rates are just so much higher for the same bankroll. Typical blackjack might have and EV of +0.02 and SD of 3; poker can have an EV of +0.05 and SD of 2-2.5. That being said, a lot of skills aren't scalable - what works at a $1/$2 table doesn't always work at a $10/$20 table, whereas in blackjack what works at a $5 table works at a $500 table.

Incidentally, I don't think small stakes poker is that complicated. I became competent with 3 hours of book reading and maybe 10 hours of play.

I'd say with poker that it's pretty easy for anyone to grind out $15k/year (if you're willing to live on $15k/year lol). With some serious effort, I think anyone who's reasonably intelligent can grind out $30k/year. If you're both good and willing to put in the effort, $60k/year. The number of people who can win more than $100k/year on poker actual are vanishingly small; I'm guessing most who do rely more on endorsements than actual poker play.

 

[moo321]

George,

I have been in the IT field for over 38 years, far better than BJ as a career, at least for most.

I have just finished a 4 day BJ tour, glad to get back to work, even though I had stunning wins and just 2 small losing sessions. The life of a full time BJ Pro is nothing I would want. As a side source of income, adventure, entertainment, diversion...OK, but that is it.

CP

Agree. Get a real job.

Blackjack is one of the best hobbies I can possibly imagine, but being a professional gambler sucks.

 

[moo321]

something may be said for all the young ones going "pro" playing poker these days. the convenience of playing AP poker is much more compelling than that of full time blackjack. pick your hours and location (both online and at the tons of poker rooms around the country AND the rest of the world). from my research, if you are very good, starting BR requirements seem to be lower than BJ. BUT the upfront learning and time investment is much higher for poker than BJ... and unless you are absolutely great, your poker hourly EV probably wouldnt reach what you can hit fairly easily with BJ.

was that heresy posting that here?? :devil:

Very much agree. I would be possible, to grind out a living at a $3-6 game with a $3k bankroll. $10-12 per hour. Not the best existence, but if you had nothing else, it would be better than mcdonalds.

 

[moo321]

Poker has a lot going for it but it is even more complicated than BJ and other games against the house. Like BJ it has a cash variant and a tournament variant which are not the same thing, surely closer in poker than in BJ but they are still not the same game.

For one, you never can be sure who is going to be sitting at a table with you, and it doesn't take too many competent players to screw you out of your EV. Determining who is competent, who is lucky, who is acting, and who is colluding is a form of scouting and costs a lot more time and money than just looking for good pen.

Then there's the problem of the shark/fish ratio at higher limits. I wouldn't want to have to rely on poker for an income, probably better suited to a recreational player.

If it's a higher limit games, then yes, these are all real concerns. However, you can make a decent living ($20-50 an hour) at a $1-3 or $2-5 NL without really worrying about these.

 

[callipygian]

$10-12 per hour. Not the best existence, but if you had nothing else, it would be better than mcdonalds.

Actually, no, because McDonald's probably has benefits. You can probably get decently cheap health insurance if you're young and single, but not if one or the other condition isn't met.

 

[daddybo]

we need a spy ;-)

Get a job in a casino.. learn their vulnerabilities.. Tell us daily.

 

[moo321]

Get a job in a casino.. learn their vulnerabilities.. Tell us daily.

Actually, dealing or being a floor supervisor are both good if you can put up with them. Decent money and benefits.

 

[daddybo]

Actually, dealing or being a floor supervisor are both good if you can put up with them. Decent money and benefits.

I think dealing is really fun if you know how to play well... and makes for better tips when you do. (I always tip the dealers that I suspect know what's going on)

 

[ihate17]

Are you tipping or

I think dealing is really fun if you know how to play well... and makes for better tips when you do. (I always tip the dealers that I suspect know what's going on)

Sounds like a bribe to me?