Is Card Counting Still Viable Today or Only for Old-Timers?

I came across a comment saying that successful card counting is mostly limited to older players and wondered what you all think about that. Do you believe it’s still viable today for someone to seriously learn card counting and potentially make a living from it? Has the game or casino environment changed so much that it’s just not worth the effort anymore?

Would love to hear your experiences and insights!

If you search U-Tube for Card Counting you'll stumble across mostly non-old timers applying the card counting trade.  Any old timers on U-Tube videos are postings from a decade or more ago.  In my opinion.  

Blackjack Apprenticeship on U-Tube offers courses with all the bells, whistles, hype, etc.  Most of these videos are a few years back, current but buyer beware.

This is not an endorsment or recommendation.  I would not recommend a venture into card counting as a living.

I posted in another thread here earlier.  Even if you are equipped with a card counting computer, you cannot beat this game. 

Nonsense 

Ok, I haven’t beaten this game. 

Is it that the game itself isn’t beatable anymore under typical casino conditions? Or is it that the skill and effort required are just so high that most people fail?

I’m really curious about the other viewpoint that says even with a computer you can’t beat the game. Does anyone know why people say that? Just trying to get a full understanding of all sides here

This is just a math problem with two variables, expected value and variance. Recently, I’ve been researching variance downstairs. Let the numbers posted. 

The only one saying that here is aceside and most of what he posts here is nonsense.

It’s pretty random and still gambling with card counting. To make a living at it, if it’s ok for the person to have negative pay for weeks or even many months then maybe. And there can be other negatives with being in casinos a lot.

Phil

Be wary of salesmen claiming to teach card counting in a couple of days for five thousand dollars. These are aimed at the Gen Z kids who still live in mommy's basement and are too lazy to read a couple of books. They think of card counting as playing a video game. Some of those kids probably haven't even been inside a casino before they part with the five grand. They'll faint the first time a pitboss sneezes in their direction. Don't waste your money.

You don't need to be an old-timer. And for sure you don't need to pay anyone five thousand bucks!  A couple of books by Wong and Schlesinger along with qfit software is all you need. Two hundred bucks of expenses and some practice at low stakes in your local sawdust joint. Save the five grand to be part of your starting bankroll. Choose your games and conditions wisely and you're ready to go. 

Be prepared to travel plenty and you can still make a decent living.  It's tougher than it used to be, and you'll probably have to acquire additional casino skills along your journey, but it can still be done.  Good luck!

What? $200 is too expensive! We have a free simulator here https://www.blackjack-hack.com/blackjack-hack.php.

As far as I know, this is the most scientific Blackjack simulator in the world!  Moreover, you do not even need a computer to use it. I used it on my iPhone when I was in Macau. 

The game is beatable. If you make few enough errors and apply a scientific system over 500-1000 hours of play you have a very good chance of being ahead. 

Most people will not find it attractive. Nowadays younger people do not have 20-50k to start with-below that level you will barely be breaking even after expenses. Few people have that disposable income. If you do have that money it would be better to invest in some kind of online business-this wasn't a thing when most of the counting books were first written. Other advantage plays exist also. 

You can go for the team approach but when you look at the profit per individual of teams who went public it is never that impressive.except perhaps for passive investors.

But yes the math still works. It is just there is almost always a better option for someone with skills and time.

I get your point, and I’m not saying card counting is easy or some quick win. But I think most online businesses fail too. A lot of people throw money and time into stuff that never really takes off. At least with counting, the math is solid and the edge is real if you’re disciplined.

I’ve been thinking about taking out a loan and doing van life—just travel around, keep expenses low, and grind full-time. It’s not for everyone, but feels like a better shot than trying to start a business from scratch with no guarantees.

The games you want do not exist in the world. In Canada, the minimum bet I saw on shoe games was 200 Canadian dollars. 

Complete nonsense, as usual.

This is what I saw in Toronto. The funny thing is many people were playing the game. 

Then say "Toronto" not "Canada" and say which casino and say what you found outside of the high limit area, because I know for a fact that there are red chip shoe games in "Canada". Even worse that you said "The games you want do not exist in the world". Absolute nonsense.

The casino I visited was Woodbine Racetrack, but I just fount out that it had become Casino at Great Canadian Toronto. The table minimum of today is probably 100 Canadian dollars. 

Based on what?