Help with Black Jack Betting Please...
I have been playing black jack for years. I know basic strategy, can count cards in my sleep, and I have recently taught myself the 18 and fab four to top it all off. HOWEVER, regardless of all of this, something just isn't working. I can follow everything to a 'T' increase my bets even by 1 unit for a +2, 2 units for a +4, back it down when I lose, etc.. but I still cannot come out ahead at the end of a shoe on a regular basis (even on a very high count). I add a hand if I have lost 3 in a row.. I've tried starting with 2 hands.. many different combinations and scenario's and something is just not working. Can anyone give me any suggestions on websites or GOOD simulators that I can work with on this, it's making me CRAZY! I really don't want to get into 'betting strategies' as we all know those don't really work, just maybe better 'betting habits' or something?
Comments
You can count and you know index plays, but you back your bet down when you lose? You add a hand when you lose 3 in a row? Yeah, you're kind of missing the point. Just bet high when the count is high. Add a hand when the count is really high. Unless the count has changed, don't adjust your bet after a loss...
I would like to know more about your bet spread and ramp. Going up 1 unit at +2, and 2 units at +4 is a very slow ramp and may not even translate into a +EV game, when playing shoe games, which you indicated you are/were playing.
To answer both RDW and KEWL's responses: (thank you both by the way) I have done many variations, the ones I mentioned were just a couple. I have flat betted throughout / FBing (flat) w/adding a hand when T count is at 3 then dbling both when count is 4, dropping back to 2 when count is at 2, dropping second hand when count is at 0. I've tried FB throughout w/just adding a hand. I have tried adding 2 hands.. I have tried not adding hands but high raising my bets.. and yes KEWL I play shoe games in MN and our table rules are pretty liberal on 4/6 decks, about the only thing we cannot do is surrender after the 1st two cards or dbl after the first two cards at the casino I play at. Keep in mind that I have a shoe and cards at home and I play over and over and over live 4/6 deck at home too with the same problem. Don't get me wrong, I can win just not like I should be. When my hard count is running 20-25, making my true 8-10 I should be making great money with two hands running against a dealer betting 4-5 units to avoid heat and I'm not and don't know why.
Yeah rdw is right. You are over thinking it. Bet more when the count is higher. Why would you add a spot when losing 3 in a row? What does that accomplish? I believe it was kewlj who told you that you may not be ramping up your bet enough. That was my first thought too. Be more aggressive and stick with it ....you win a lot in high counts, but remember you lose a lot too. Most of my big losses were pushing max bets out in high count situations. Those high cards help the dealer too. The key is to stick with it and let the math work for you in the long run. I've gone on months long losing streaks and I know others here have as well. Keep at it. If you play right, in the end, it really does work. But you have to expect some losing sessions. You aren't going to win every time. Card counting isin't a magic bullet to beat the casino it just shifts the edge (slightly) in your favor is all. Takes time and patience to work.
What? card counting not working?