Question about bet ramp

I was wondering since I'm new to counting how should I make a bet ramp? I use hi low and its a .65 HE at my local casino. My spread to start off is 1-12(5-60). I was curious should I start at 5 with a TC of 1 or below and go TC 2 $15, TC 3 30, TC 4 $60? I just heard that TC 5 doesn't happen often and to sometimes get your max out earlier but that may be game dependent?

Quote: DD11

I was wondering since I'm new to counting how should I make a bet ramp? I use hi low and its a .65 HE at my local casino. My spread to start off is 1-12(5-60). I was curious should I start at 5 with a TC of 1 or below and go TC 2 $15, TC 3 30, TC 4 $60? I just heard that TC 5 doesn't happen often and to sometimes get your max out earlier but that may be game dependent?

The absolute best way to set your spread and ramp is to use computer software. This will give you an optimal spread and ramp for different games and conditions (rules), based on your bankroll and desired risk of ruin (RoR). The best software for this, IMO, is Qfit products, available from the other site where you posted this question earlier today.

In the absence of software or if you are unwilling to make that purchase at this time, I would work backwards. Decide where you want to get your max bet out and work backwards to minimum wager at neutral/negative counts.

Spread and ramp is one area that definitely needs to be updated from all those blackjack books from the 80's and 90's. Worse blackjack rules, means there is a higher initial house advantage or house edge that needs to be overcome. You do this by ramping up your wager quicker.

That idea from those old books of starting with a minimum wager of $5 and ramping in nice smooth "units" of $5 doesn't work any longer because you will not get your bigger bets out until too late, meaning counts and advantages that occur too infrequently to benefit you as much as you need.

True count of +5, seems to be a target for "Max bet" for many card counters, but I believe that is too late for today's games, for exactly the reason mentioned, these counts occur too infrequently, especially for 6 and 8 deck shoe games. In single deck and double deck games, you have more leeway because the true count frequencies are very different and those true counts do occur more frequently.

Personally, I get my "max bet' out by TC +3 for shoe games. That is pretty aggressive (and requires a bigger bankroll), but to wait any longer than TC +4 at the latest, makes it difficult to overcome the IHA and make any kind of decent money.

Thanks man. I just discovered these forums a couple days ago and really appreciate the knowledge you provide on here. I know I need that software I just thought it may be a simple yes or no answer to the question I was asking. I guess not lol. So I guess I'll pirchase that software as a gift to myself for Christmas as long as it can be run on a laptop.

Also I got two blackjack books and to be honest I'm a little disappointed. Just not quite in depth on different games as I thought. But they will be good reads and I can fill in the blanks with these forums.

Also what's your name on that other site? Just so I know to read it when I see your name.

I don't post there anymore. Until recently i posted under the handle KJ. If you read through the archives, you may find some of my posts useful. (then again....maybe not).