Which is best? Wonging or very high spread

I am new to counting but coming along well I think. Reading a lot, practicing a lot, getting good advice and following it. Made my first trip to the casino today with money actually on the table. I mean my first time attempting counting. I have played plenty of BS blackjack. I lost a little, but I was very pleased to find that I kept the count and was able to perform fairly well in the environment. My question is this: The local places I play are small. The largest I have available locally usually runs 6 to ten active tables in two pits at a given time, sometimes more at very busy times evenings. The others have only one to three tables anytime. Wonging seems a very good, practical way to play shoe games, but I don't know how practical it may be in such small, local places? During my early learning period would it be suggested to attempt wonging in these environments or play all with a higher spread and play all except for restroom breaks, phone calls, etc.

Though I can't say with certainty yet, I do believe I can spread just about whatever I want in these places without problem. Right now I spread when playing all 10-1, but I think I can easily spread 20-1 just as easily.

Given those conditions and assuming I can spread 20-1, say $5 to $100, which way should I play when here at home?

I don't know if it matters to this specific question, but the game I usually have available is 6 deck S17 DAS Resplit to 4 hands including aces and one card on aces. The penetration is about 1 /4 decks ... sometimes closer to 2.

Wonging is better, because while you're minimum betting your way through a lousy count, there could be a great count at the next table that you're missing. When you Wong around properly, you are leaving at the point where the chances of the lousy shoe you are at going positive are less than the chance of a new shoe going positive.

I'm a big believer in Wonging and practice what I preach all the time-that said if you can spread 1-20 without a hassle go for it. Of course if the count gets ridiculously low get up and leave. Good cards!:joker:

If you're playing a shoe with half a deck cut off, a moderately negative count can easily swing back to very positive at the end.

Question is: Choose which one. Wong or play

My real concern and the main reason for my question is still, is it advisable to attempt wonging in a store that has two pits but usually only 2 to 4 tables running in each pit. My other local alternative is even smaller with only 1 to 3 tables total running at any given time.

I'm new. I have read and fully believe the benifits of wong play. But, since I'm new, I don't know if it is practical in these small places or better to play through and use a large spread if that is recommended.

So, for those who have practical experience and real knowledge of the situation, assume you are going to play in these places that are available to me. You are new to counting period and have never attempted wonging. With your background of knowledge and experience, are you going to play through or wong or even try both?

I am a low stakes player and a regular at these places. I have been a system player for a long time and my bets fluxuate quite a lot ... just not with any count or waiting bets. Since I'm low budget will attempting to wong here cause undue attention to what I am attempting. All I really want to know is do I wong or do I play.

Do I understand this correctly? They only cut half a deck in a 6 deck shoe? If that's the case you have no need to back count. And they don't sweat you spreading 1-20? Wow! Just sit down and play and go for it! If you like maybe back count just long enough to see if the count is headed in the right direction then sit down and play.

No I was just giving him an example of when Wonging isn't necessary. If they cut off much more than a deck it certainly is a good idea.

Although wonging certainly does have drawbacks, at a small store it will probably attract undue attention.

One of my stores has a "no wonging" rule. Mid shoe entry is allowed unless you watch more than two hands.

Misunderstood penetration

No, Blue Efficacy, I was not clear on the cut card I guess. The cut off at least 1 1/2 decks and sometimes closer to two decks so a shoe is played with 4 to 4 1/2 decks actually delt. The penetration is right around 70% I guess.

Another poster said that wonging would attract unwanted attention in a small store ... I suspected that and it is why I have leaned toward playing though. I am too new to these consideratons we are discussing to truly have much actual knowledge yet, but I do seriously believe that by playing a nickle table I can spread anywhere up to 20-1 without problem. So, assuming I count properly and that I can sprad this way please give me some advice on playing all. I'll state the game again so you don't have to look back. 6 deck shoe 68-70 PEN DAS REsplit up to 4 including aces and one card on aces. NO surrender

I have played a ton of BS blackjack but went to the store yesterday for the first time to actually play with counting and money on the felt. I lost a little, but that was becasue the cards just were not there. I did keep the count well and performed well enough to surprise myself. I was happy about that.

The system is Red SEvens converted to true count along with the 6 indices recommended in Arnold's book. My ramp yestereday using a $5 unit was:
<0 1 unit
1 1 unit
2 2 units
3 4 units
4 6 units
5 9 units (I wanted to avoid "checks play) so this is just under 10-1


What I'm pretty sure I can play just as easily and would like opinion on whether it would be better than the one above is this:
< 0 $5
1 $5
2 $15
3 $30
4 $60
5 $90 (Which, of course) is 18-1 spread without (checks play)

If anyone has a solid opinon on these or a sound compromise ramp, I'd be anxious to hear. Keep in mind that I am new counter, practicing and am not concerned with necessarily maximizing right now, but I do want to play as a winner ... even if small.

There's a point where avoiding checks play becomes more suspicious than getting the checks play called.

Checks play

I can see that. Probably absolutely no need to worry anyway, but what is your suggestion for ramp based upon your observation?

And it can just as easily go straight to hell. Keep in mind the True Count Theorem; if the pen is deep and the shoe goes negative early, you can expect to eat -EV for a long time.

But if somebody is cutting off half a deck, the reason to not Wong is to ensure you get your seat back, such a seat is so valuable.

If it goes to hell then I leave. But the seat isn't valuable, I'll just go to one of the other 71 tables where they are cutting .5-.8 decks :laugh:

O.K.,if they cut just one and a half decks from a 6 deck shoe and you can spread 1-20 I'd say you got yourself one great place to play blackjack!:joker::laugh:

I wouldn't say this is a "great place." 1.5 decks cut from 6 is a standard pen that can be found at most casinos. The spread isn't that impressive either. I regularly spread 1-30 at my casino WITH WONGING (granted it has 8 decks).

1-30 spread?

The 1.5 deck cut is standard and most acceptable. My thinking is that if they don't notice a 1-20 spread that is great. You get away with a 1-30 spread routinely? Does the pit have seeing eye dogs or what?:joker:

Is it really that rare to be able to bet 20x your bet randomly?

I've been playing regularly at a $2 table. There is a lady there that bets anywhere from $2 to $50 randomly. I can't seem to see any rhyme or reason for it. No one seems to care the slightest. I have seen her there at the same table for 8 hours at a time.

If she were playing at a table with a CSM the large spread wouldn't get the pit excited. If it were now and then maybe o.k. I think if you're counting and spreading 1-20 for an extended period the pit would take note. I've spread 1-40 and got away with it-FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.:joker:

I survived for a couple of days playing multiple pits/shifts at a place that was cutting .5 decks. My spread was 1-2x20. Needless to say, you can't get away with this for long.

Lonesome-
Oh yeah!!!:joker: