I think you're being a bit ignorant with this statement. Professional card counters are *always* aware of the image that they are trying to
portray, and how their moves appear to the "eye-in-the-sky." They know pretty damned well how much they can get away with, and what
kind of action is going to get them booted.
So, for a professional counter, it's not about being shy or bold, it's being aware of how much they can get away with. It's a whole
cat-and-mouse game, as I'm sure you are aware, and at times, I've made non-counter type moves/plays, just to try and throw
off the pit. It happens all the time, and many books have been written about it (i.e. cover plays, and disguising counting).
Ive seen it both ways, run across players tagged adv that are yearly losers and others that have passed rundowns and surv claimed are not advantage players but i believe to be. A true card counter in my mind is profitable enough at it to not need a day job. Not saying you have to make thousands a day, but can easily make a few $$$ each day to live a 50k a yr life off of it.