BJ still worth it?

I am new to AP and have just started my education on BJ AP. After reading a few pages of posts here and on other BJ forums, I have to wonder if it is still worthwhile to enter into AP with BJ. Every interview and post I have read speaks of the greater difficulty of getting an advantage in casinos today.

I have no problem with the learning curve or the dedication it will take to become successful.

Question to the pros - knowing what you know about the current climate at the casinos, would you start the journey anew today?

I haven't played blackjack professionally for about 5 years now. I played 4 and 6 deck games with no more than 1.25 decks cut off, S17, leave at -1. 8 deckers if the cut was a deck or less. I almost never player 1 or 2 deck games unless the conditions were exceptional. I traveled to the games. I'm very happy with my results. Midwest, NM, NV, MS, east coast, wherever the conditions were within my criteria and they weren't heat merchants. If those conditions still exist today you can do well. I never could understand counters flocking to 1 and 2 deck games and playing with all that heat, preferential shuffling (intentional or not) and barrings. The money and longevity was always in the 4+ deckers.

on where you play. If you play only the States, maybe bot... I can't tell because I seldom play the States. I played 52 countries so far in 14 years. I made more money recent years. My friend started playing BJ in 2004 with US$5,000. he made US$3 Million so far. His wife, 2 sisters, brother, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law and his brother are all full time players now.

I've never been a pro but I've played profitably for at least 25 years. It's not that hard to learn how to count cards. It's somewhat harder to count cards effectively and not get caught. Several friends over the years have said it's not "fun" what I do. I find the fun in winning (when most people lose) and beating the casinos at their own game. I can't travel the world looking for the best games, so I incorporate BJ in to some of my vacations, weekend or day trips and win more often than I lose but I certainly haven't gottten rich playing BJ. Comps also help. Free room and meals are nice. After a while, BJ has become a grind and I hate losing when I get killed in high counts. Eventually, chips will be encoded and it will be easy for casinos to ID counters. I think the future of profitable gambling is poker, where you are playing against other players (most of them not too smart) instead of a well-bankrolled house.

Thannks for the responses. I really appreciate this message board.

Since it takes a LOT of time learning and practicing the systems to become successful, my concern is that by the time I have mastered it there will be virtually no casinos in the US/Canada/Mexico to play professionally. At least not for long.

There is a stock market adage that says 'go where the money is' and right now the money is in poker. You can make an exceptional income from playing poker part time. Not so with blackjack. And contrary to Thop's admonition, it really is about the money and nothing else.

I appreciate the advice. Getting a clue is why I am posting here.

Poker has small win rates and an edge not provable mathematically. Very few succeed at making a living at it. It is already starting to decline.

poker for most people is far more profitable
Im only 25 but I have basically given up on BJ
3 years ago when I was in downtown vegas I was like a kid in a candy store- 2 weeks ago when I was there it was almost worthless. Maybe 2 decent games, but they either have too many people playing or you can only play for a short period of time. Atleast when there were more good games you could bounce around all day without getting caught.

I have played poker professionally for 4 years. While most people can not do it, if you have the disipline ot count cards poker is a breeze.
How much do you need to average 50 dollars an hour at bj in a double deck game? Maybe 50k?
In poker you can play 2/5nl and make 50 an hour with half a brain and really not need more than 10k. The swings will be a lot less. If you play online you can play even more tables.Its just gotten to the point where BJ isnt worth the time or effort anymore for me. i have a great deal of money saved up but i really dont feel like having 50 thousand dollar swings on a semi regular basis with BJ.

I guess if you have a million dollar bankroll you can make more at Bj than poker espeically if you travel outside of the US. Higher stakes poker games are tougher to beat, and with that kind of money its worth leaving the country.