As I have admitted previously, I was fortunate to start my career with a hot streak. My bankroll quickly grew and the winning was awesome. It was an exciting period of my life. Free food, free drinks and what felt like free money! Sure, there were some times when you would lose, and that sucked! But, at the end of the day, I knew that I was winning, and that held me through those darker periods.

But, after more than a year of counting cards, the fun and excitement were gone. It had become a chore. Not to mention I was finally starting to pick up some heat.

So what made me stop counting cards?
Actually, I should probably blame poker. In Nov 2009, I found that many of the casinos I play blackjack at, also ran some live poker games. $1/$2 blinds, no-limit, texas hold-em. I've been playing online poker for years, but am a steady loser online. However, I took to live poker like a fish to water. The games at my local casinos are full of weak players (a couple of strong ones too) - and for this first time, I was the shark! I have a good knack for reading my opponents. I don't see their tells too often, but I notice their patterns of playing. i.e. they bluff more if they are losing, they only have a few chips left, depending on how drunk they are etc, etc.

Poker is also more social, and I not only have more fun, but have made some good friends too (with the better players ... not the fish).