> I learned how to count cards in blackjack in the 60’s. <
1970s for me. Take a look at my post #68. Evidently AC can no longer kick you out for card-counting. But Las Vegas and others still can.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Card_counting#Legal_status
If there were not a few big winners it would be more difficult to cultivate crops of newbie suckers.