Revere Hi-lo System

[PokerJunky]

I currently use the Revere Hi-lo System from "Playing Blackjack as a Business". I use the charts that Revere makes adjustments based on the count. I basically follow his adjustments and my bet spread is 1-4. He does not recommend go higher (for obvious reasons, it's better to continue flying low under the radar without being spotted that too spread to high...). So far I have played one month and made around $1500 ($15 Tables - 2 hands). He also recommends 30 units per hand (so I obviously play with 60 units).

I want to compare his strategy with current ones that are out there... In "Bringing Down the House"(MIT Team), they state that they used the hi-low system because they felt that it worse to make a mistake in the casino with a multilevel system. I was wondering what charts they used... Did they make any adjustments to their basic strategy charts based on the count? (I am most definitely sure...). In the Revere hi-lo chart, I am hitting 12 on a 3-4-5-6; 13 against 2-3-4; and 14 against a 2 when the true count is below 1. You can imagine all the friends I make at the table, but without going into the math. It makes sense as the number of low cards are exceeding the high cards.

I have not heard much talk on the Revere System, but to tell you the truth, it has really worked well. The only thing he has not gone into is when to take insurance with the hi-low system and whether I should be tracking Aces. He does mention in another section of the book that should take insurance when the true count is +2 and you are tracking Aces, but his explanation is confusing.

So here's my question:
1. Should I continue to use the Revere Hi-Lo System, but add the tracking of Aces and when to take insureance? If so, can someone help with the best way to track aces or when to take insurance if you use hi low? If not, which system is better for multi-deck games in AC or Las Vegas (Hi-Opt I, Hi-Opt II, Omega 2, etc.)?

2. Should I be spreading more? I understand that a higher spread is required to make money depending on the casino conditions, but to tell you the truth I rather continue doing this as a side job without bringing any attention to myself... Again I spread 1-4.

Anyone's help would greatly be appreciated!!!

(By the way, I used to play tons of poker because blackjack broke me a couple of years ago when I used to play basic strategy only, but now I really enjoy playing bj using a count - it's hard to play not knowing what the count is...kind of like driving blind...)

[bj bob]

dear poker junky just read your thread re: Revere hi-lo I just joined up today so I don't know if you have resolved your questions about insurance and other matters concerning Revere's plus-minus system. Ive been playing it for two years now and am pretty familiar with its ins and outs.If you're interested in discussing it , send me an E-Mail. Good luck BJ Bob,

[zengrifter]

PokerJunky writes - I currently use the Revere Hi-lo System from "Playing Blackjack as a Business". I use the charts that Revere makes adjustments based on the count. I basically follow his adjustments and my bet spread is 1-4.

**Revere's book is antiquated, but his 'simple plus/minus' is just fine for beginner... BUT the 1-4 spread he recommends is expressly for 1D games, and as such his simple plus/minus is NOT very good at all for 2+ decks.

So here's my question:
1. Should I continue to use the Revere Hi-Lo System, but add the tracking of Aces and when to take insureance? If so, can someone help with the best way to track aces or when to take insurance if you use hi low? If not, which system is better for multi-deck games in AC or Las Vegas (Hi-Opt I, Hi-Opt II, Omega 2, etc.)?

**Interestly enough, despite the limited value of Revere's book today (it was THE bible of counting in the early 70s), the Revere Point Count in the book is an excellent count, as good as any level-2 count available.

**The above said, Revere's BR and betting advice is inadequate, but we can help there.

2. Should I be spreading more? I understand that a higher spread is required to make money depending on the casino conditions, but to tell you the truth I rather continue doing this as a side job without bringing any attention to myself... Again I spread 1-4.

**Yes, but NOT with the simplePlus/minus. I would advise you to purchase Knockout BJ by Fuchs and Vancura and learn that system.

By the way, I used to play tons of poker because blackjack broke me a couple of years ago when I used to play basic strategy only, but now I really enjoy playing bj using a count - it's hard to play not knowing what the count is...kind of like driving blind...

**YES, EXACTLY - playing BJ without counting is like driving BLIND! zg