Blackjack vs Poker

Ive been counting cards for about 8 months and have progressed from the hilo to the halves and done pretty well overall.
As Ive posted on here before I would like to become as good at poker as I am at blackjack because I think it will be a lot more profitable.
I have read a couple of low limit books that were recomended here by Lee Jones and Slanksky and have logged about 200 hours online and 50 at live games at 2-4 tables and I am down a few hundred dollars
To me the main difference b.w the 2 game is that in Blackjack you really can learn most of the game from books because it is all math, however in poker there is rarely a clear cut answer and it seems that experience is even that much more important

If anyone on here has made the switch succesfully I would appreciate any tips that you can offer

At BJ you face more scrutiny by the pit and have a harder time as you time to move up in stakes. At poker you face much tougher opposition from players as you move up. It is tough to make lots of money at either one.

But always prefer a GOOD BJ over POKE-Her, oops, I mean POKER, most any day. Some comparisons:

BLACKJACK:

1. Large Bankroll required.

2. Lots of skill and practice required. Failure to stay in shape (i.e., practice) often requires many hours, if not days, to "get back in shape".

3. Luck not operant for long-term. Only SKILL and PRACTICE gets the Big $$$.

4. Most succesful players have at least a 4-year college degree.

5. Most BJ Players do not want recognition.

6. Hats discouraged (CC tell).

7. Sunglasses discouraged (CC tell).

8. Must like the "solo" lifestyle...a "lone wolf" if you will.

9. Must like to eat alone, spend holiday's alone, etc. Group
behavior speeds exit from the game...only a trusted few who have passed multiple tiers of screening must ever know you are a CC'er.

10. If you make good plays that "look bad", other Players will HATE you, and eventually, the Casino will HATE you.

11. Calls "The Flop" the place he/she stays, in order to keep
expenses down.

12. "4th Street" is the "back-way" to get to the WESTERN.

13. Will probably vote, and probably Republican.

POKER

1. Large Bankroll required.

2. Some skill and practice needed; eventually can learn to play by just playing, though MUCH cheaper to read a few books. If away from the game for a while, just read 1-2 page(s) is most any Poker book to refresh your memory...DO NOT CALL with less than 9-9, 2 straight connectors, 2-to-a-flush, etc.

3. Even at high skill levels, the Big $ require LUCK!

4. Most successful players have a GED.

5. Most successful players want to be on TV.

6. Most successful players wear hats.

7. Most successful players wear sunglasses.

8. Must love to be around people, especially people who do not like you. Everyday is a Holiday!.....You're on DISABILITY!

9. Only eat with others, usually at (AND ON) the Poker table, causing disgust to the lone BJ player who happens to be "SLUMMING".

10. If you make BAD plays that ARE BAD, the other Players will love you! The Casino does not care if you are good or bad...like a stockbroker, they GRIND you either way.

11. Cannot Vote...."Trumped-up" Felony conviction 12 years ago prohibits same.

12. "The Flop" is a turn of cards.

13. "4th Street" is a turn of a card.

AND FINALLY:

---BLACKJACK...T:T Ratio < One.

---POKER.......T:T Ratio > One.

"T:T Ratio???".......TATTOO to TEETH!

GRIN (not Toothless, by the way).

phantom007.

"13. Will probably vote, and probably Republican. "

Booooooooooooooo.

If he flip flops he must be a Kerry supporter.

I am an avid blackjack player, a green-chipper... and a Democrat. Other than that, you are pretty much on the money.

POKER

1. Large Bankroll required.

Not that I'm anywhere near professional, but most advise a 100K BR for pro BJ.

Many professional poker players grind it out in the mid levels of 30/60. If your a winning player, BR requirements about...20 - 25K.

between poker and blackjack, and any other type of gambling one may decide to take up for a living.....is learning how to deal with losing!!! That's it!!! The hardest part of this business is to keep going out there while your previously huge roll has diminished almost to nothing. Sounds easy but it is anything but that. If only it were that easy....man what a great profession this would be!

I don't care how much math...knowhow...experience...yada yada yada! If u get to the point where losing starts ruining and affecting your game....you're DONE!!!

regards,

table