Six-Deck 75% penetration, or Two-Deck 55% penetration?

Since I've read that penetration is actually MUCH more beneficial than most realize (e.g. 85% 6-deck vs. 75% 6-deck is better than some marginal rules), I'm guessing the six-deck game with 75% penetration is optimal for a counter (Hi-Lo, adjusting basic strategy), but does anyone have the stats on this?

Thanks.

Quote: dan0082

Since I've read that penetration is actually MUCH more beneficial than most realize (e.g. 85% 6-deck vs. 75% 6-deck is better than some marginal rules), I'm guessing the six-deck game with 75% penetration is optimal for a counter (Hi-Lo, adjusting basic strategy), but does anyone have the stats on this?

Thanks.

While very important, penetration is only part of the formula and 75% is just average for a 6 deck game. I'm not crazy about 55% in double deck either, but with a few rare exceptions that's about as good as it gets.

There are many other factors involved, most notably the rules of the game. If the rules are bad, you'll need very good pen and with good rules you can get away with less pen.

Be sure to look at the whole picture, Dan.

Right- I'm definitely considering the whole picture... My question is just, *all else being equal*, would a 6-deck 75% pen game be better or worse than a 2-deck 55% pen game, assuming a counter using Hi-Lo w/ adjusted basic strategy?

I wouldn't use Hi-Lo on the double deck game and I don't think 55% pen is worth counting. Without knowing the rules of the games which can vary greatly, I would go for the 6 deck. Use at least a 1-16 spread which would most likely not be tolerated in the double deck game.

I think I'll just have to buy some simulation software to find out for sure, but my hunch is that the low penetration of the two-deck will kill the advantage it would otherwise have (all else equal).

If anyone knows this from their own sims, it'd be much appreciated... Per ben's comments, you can just assume some standard rules: H17, double on anything, DAS, 3:2, Hi-Lo counting, altering basic strat appropriately... Maybe a 1-10 spread.

Thanks

Quote: benbakdoff

Use at least a 1-16 spread which would most likely not be tolerated in the double deck game.

That sounds really high based on all the stuff I'm reading. In your experience do you get a lot of heat with such a spread? Or are they just way tolerant in shoe games.

Quote: ikilledjerrylogan

That sounds really high based on all the stuff I'm reading. In your experience do you get a lot of heat with such a spread? Or are they just way tolerant in shoe games.

I get away with it all the time on the main floor. It's quite a different story in the High Limit rooms which is why I don't play them. Tolerance can and does vary, so you really have to know your casino. A 1-10 spread using Hi-Lo and index play should beat the 6 deck game with 75% pen, but you won't make that much. I strongly recommend wonging for this game.

I'm having issues practicing with 2 decks. I had a nice run but then I noticed I was playing the game wrong. I am using a cut card when I used to use the burn card as a cut card. I remember the time I spent decking 6 decks, and I am definitely having problems. The problem seems to be not winning consistently with 2 decks. Not being able to win at home is a concern for me. So I've been looking at the Blackjack Survey.

https://wizardofvegas.com/guides/blackjack-survey/?sort=hedge&dir=asc

Some of the 6 deck games are looking good and there will be 3x as many 10'x left in the deck.

"Shut up and calculate" -- Richard Feynman

According to CVCX, they're about the same score if you use a slightly higher spread on the 6-deck (16:1 instead of 10:1).

You'll probably last a lot longer on the 6-deck, even with that bigger spread.