What are the worst playable odds?

If one were a card counter, what is the biggest house edge he would play, let's say he were using the Zen Count? .5%? .6%?

Thank You, I appreciate the responses

Depends on the penetration. Deep penetration means a higher frequence of higher plus counts (usually just before the shuffle), which makes it easier to overcome all those hands at a disadvantage. It's often said that really good penetration can overcome bad rules, but better rules can rarely overcome really lousy penetration.

Considerations such as surveillance might play a role too so a card-counter might opt to play a very unappealing set of rules and decks simply to defeat casino "eyes" that might be upon him but would think it unlikely a card counter would play.

And of course a relaxing break, a chat with a roving hooker will give you a rest for the next "real" battle.

Quote: blackjacknos20

If one were a card counter, what is the biggest house edge he would play, let's say he were using the Zen Count? .5%? .6%?

Thank You, I appreciate the responses

The majority of blackjack games are 6 or 8 deck shoes with a house edge of 0.28% to 0.66% give or take. They can all be beaten, even with a less powerful count than Zen. It now becomes a question of your personal goals. Do you want to pay the bills or just hustle some comps? I would assume someone using Zen falls in the middle or upper end of that spectrum. As was mentioned, game selection depends on penetration among other things. You may pass by that 6 deck game in favor of an 8 deck one.

If there is poor penetration all bets are off so to speak.

Thank you all. Penetration is the most important aspect of the game one should look for, thanks!