The rollercoaster that is professional card counting.

[kewlJ]

One thing I`ve learned since starting to count cards is, you can look at the sims/numbers/stats/whatever and see how bad your scenario can get. However, when you`re in that situation, there`s nothing that can prepare you for being in that situation and getting absolutely decimated in short order. To quote Mike Tyson (not something I do often, but it`s appropriate): "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face". I think this sums up a horrific downswing nicely. You can have a plan that looks really good on paper, but when things go really south, it makes you analyze what you`re doing and start thinking if there`s anyway you can do to improve your approach. As for my situation, I don`t have to resize or anything thankfully, but I`m looking to make other improvements. This isn`t my first downswing or anything like that, but this one really shook me. That could be an interesting topic of discussion for KJ, Moses, BoSox, or any of the other counters on this site: have you ever had a downswing so terrible that it made you take a break to analyze your strategies?

Ok, I did answer your Pm on the other forum, but since you also posted some of it here and Bosox has responded, I will add a little something here to. As to the line I made bold. Yes, there is something that can prepare you, but unfortunately it isn't the sims, or reading about the possibility of such downswings, it is actually going through a few and coming out the other side. Easier said than done, I know. But it really is something you have to experience a few times.

But, while the sims, the reading about such swings in books and online, and even reading about other players going through such swings, doesn't completely prepare you for it, it helps. Knowledge is powerful things. And in particular other players, on these forums, that you sort of get to know, even if you haven't met them....reading their experiences in this area, as they go through these experiences, in particular is valuable. I think that is one of the most valuable things of the card counting/AP communities and forums. Players sharing their experiences for the benefit of one another. That has always been my draw.

Unfortunately it has also been my undoing, as I get very upset, when here are frauds or phony members making unrealistic claims that mislead other players. I take that sort of personally. Maybe harder than I should, but I just think we (legitimate players) have a responsibility to call out that BS. And it has gotten me into trouble a bit.