A few thoughts
To paraphrase a famous Ben Franklin quote, wise men don't need it, and fools won't heed it, and with that, please take some of my thoughts with the appropriate grains of salt.
Although bj21.com offers this free site where players can read about, learn, and interact with others who share some of the same enthusiasm about blackjack that you profess to have, it is by no means the only site where you can do this.
It would be in your best interests to read absolutely everything you can get your hands on, both in paper, and on web sites. There are some really good web related resources, and avoiding any of the politics that is present in the advantage player community, I highly recommend you visiting and reading all you can on both blackjackforumonline.com, which is Arnold Snyder's site, and advantageplayer.com, where Don Schlesinger resides. In addition to those, cardcounter.com, and bjmath.com also have excellent resources and articles for players.
I think it's usually a mistake for new players to jump in and start asking questions, without first reading all they can, as many of the questions will be answered by highly respected people in a site's archives. If your economic condition permits, both bj21.com and advantageplayer.com offer subscription only pages, where there is a wealth of information available. It is a very inexpensive expense, and you really can't consider yourself serious about an endeavor if you're unwilling to spend some money for additional access to valuable resources. Who goes to college without textbooks? 'enough said there.
Now we come to one of your larger obsticles in your learning curve, i.e., who to pay attention to and who not to pay attention to, while scouring the internet for knowledge. And more specifically, sites such as this. And another reason not to jump in and interact immediately, as you're likely to get a plethora of different advice.
Go ahead and read everythng that seems interesting, as over time, you'll start to figure out who's who, in how and why their comments may be of value to you, and you'll also learn who not to listen as closely too.
For my thoughts on the status of the game, well, yes it has taken some hits, but I think its death is a little premature.
Where there are problems, lie opportunities, and in the realm of casino gambling, this is true as well.
So take with a grain of salt that there are dwindling opportunites. Deep down, no matter what they say or do, blackjack was/is the engine that drives casino gaming. There are knowledgeable casino executives, e.g., Bill Zender, who understands and consults for casinos, who cautions the bean counters in that the day the public starts to believe that blackjack can no longer hold the promise that it can be beaten, is the day that casino gaming will start to die, and we all know that the casinos don't want that gravy train to stop.
In 1981, a fellow by the name of Ken Uston wrote a newsletter, then published them in a book, titled, Ken Uston's Newsletters on Blackjack. here's an excerpt:
December 1981 PredictionThe Future of Blackjack
"Beyond May, 1987"
Capable, clever card-counters find games and win surprisingly large amounts, due in large measure to their ability to "act" as regular losers in the casinos. Other less well-trained counters gradually leave the profession in favor of other pursuits.
Capable, clever casino executives protect their games and find their blackjack holds satisfactory. Other less well-trained executives find their blackjack holds less than satisfactory - but they can't quite figure out why.
A number of.....knowledgeable, objective industry observers notice this - and unanimously agree that this is the way it should be.
good luck in your ventures
bfb
