I believe you're on the right path, but you probably need to find a few dozen more local sports boards and ask as well. Alternately I imagine you could just convince some people to play with you.
There has to be someplace where some folks can play blackjack that doesn't involve driving 3 hours to Louisiana. It has to be kept on the down low but, much like whorehouses, they have to exist. Why is it easier in houston to find a prostitute than it is to find a speakeasy casino? If my question were whorehouses we'd have dozens of suggestions already, and that is sad.
