When a beginning player learns about card counting in blackjack for the first time, they think this is rocket science mastered only by the “chosen”. Later on, they see that almost any player can master card counting and start thinking about doing it themselves. Here is where the question pops up: how much can a professional player and card counter earn?
In this article, we’ll try to explain what factors the amount of your winnings depend on, how to calculate theoretical level of your income, and what pitfalls to consider. After weighing all pros and cons, you may give up on this idea.
First of all, you must understand that you can start mastering card counting only after studying basic blackjack strategy and adapting it to any changes of conditions in the game. You need to know how to play in any situation, even when conditions are not in your favor.
Remember that card counting is justified only at land-based casinos, because at online casinos all decks are shuffled before every dealing. In addition, many casinos take safety measures to protect themselves from card counting. For this reason, chances are that you won’t find a casino in your neighborhood where you can apply card counting. Far trips require significant expenses. Also remember that you’ll have to hide your skills, because pit bosses sack out players suspected of card counting. Don’t count on justice: you won’t prove anything through your ungrounded claims.
If you are not confused or scared by the above-said, let’s see how much the card counter can win.
Having mastered a simple system of card counting and found a blackjack game with beneficial rules, you can gain 0.75% house edge. This number is affected by several important factors. Theoretically, it can be changed. However, it’s highly improbable that you can increase it significantly.
Everything else depends on the speed of the game and size of the bets. You need to find a table with a bet range of at least seven points (for example, from five to thirty-five dollars) so that you could make minimum bets when the count is negative and raise your bets as the count is changing in your favour.
A quick dealer can deal cards at a speed of up to 400 hands an hour. Remember that you won’t always play at the table by yourself. Suppose, you deal 200 hands an hour. Suppose, the average bet is $200. This means that you put $2000 at stake. With the 0.75% house edge, in theory you can win $15 (2000х0.75=15).
Thus, to receive the average daily income of $100 in the long term, you need to play for over six hours. As you understand, we are talking here about a long term. Sometimes, you will win a far larger sum, while on other days you will lose.
It goes without saying that you should forget about tips and extra expenses. Just one generous gesture can cost you a day’s earnings.
Another important point is the amount of money you’re ready to spend. The larger is your bankroll, the more unlikely it is that all your money is swallowed by loss streak.
Is it possible to increase your income? There are few options. Look for more beneficial rules. Choose the tables with the fastest dealer. If your financial state allows, raise your bets. Study extra methods applied by professional players that increase player’s advantage over the casino.
In fact, playing for result rarely brings pleasure. Those gamblers that have made a source of income out of blackjack, stop enjoying even large winnings. So ask yourself whether you need this.