Betting knowhow

[NDN21]

To beat the game of blackjack a player must know when and how much to bet. I do not believe that most blackjack sources cover this topic enough.

What are the best sources of betting knowledge that are available? Where can I go to find the best betting techniques out there? Which books contain the best most accurate and most reliable information regarding betting technology available to a blackjack player? What are the best resources to find out about Kelly betting?

Also, which techniques do you use? Risk-adverse? Bankroll growth? Kelly? Optimal?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by NDN21

To beat the game of blackjack a player must know when and how much to bet. I do not believe that most blackjack sources cover this topic enough.

I agree. Most books just give a generic bet spread to use, which works but isn’t always the most optimal spread.

Originally Posted by NDN21

What are the best sources of betting knowledge that are available?

Don Schlesinger’s book has some good betting info. Also check out the Betting Strategies section here:

http://www.bjmath.com/bjmath/toc.htm

Originally Posted by NDN21

Also, which techniques do you use? Risk-adverse? Bankroll growth? Kelly? Optimal?

I try to customize my spread based on the specific game, but it usually ends up pretty close to half Kelly.

-Sonny-

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by NDN21

To beat the game of blackjack a player must know when and how much to bet. I do not believe that most blackjack sources cover this topic enough.
What are the best sources of betting knowledge that are available?

I've asked this question before and nobody has answered me lol.

So, since I've asked it because I didn't know the answer, I'll answer it anyways

You can't ever go wrong following Sonny's advice from what I can tell.

I learned Hi-Lo from Wong's book but most of it is based on a 4D game and when's the last time you've seen a 4D game? I don't think I ever have.

For me the best source overall has been Don Schlesinger's Blackjack Attack. I'd highly recommend it as a way to get a broad idea of bankroll, risk, unit size etc. And, if I were to try this stuff, I'd cut HIS Chapter 10 unit size in half keeping the same bankroll.

I never have seen a sim or used a sim but I would guess such software could be indispensable to a serious counter. From how I imagine they work, I think they'd give you the ability to cover all the "grey" areas not covered in the books. Yes? No? Do many/any of you use them?

The importance of your question (and answer!) is easily overlooked by perhaps many beginning their counting experience. Just an opinion of course.

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by Kasi

........
I never have seen a sim or used a sim but I would guess such software could be indispensable to a serious counter. From how I imagine they work, I think they'd give you the ability to cover all the "grey" areas not covered in the books. Yes? No? Do many/any of you use them?
.........

i use simulation software. i use sage blackjack (no relation) and Casino Verite.
i find them indispensible when researching the tryed and true areas of advantage play but unfortunately not so useful for the 'gray' areas not covered in books.
definitely great for practice.

[EasyRhino]

Are there any articles in those bjmath pages that don't have so much... math? (edit: the section on Kelly betting has some nice grade-school versions I can understand)

For a while last year, QFIT has a free login to CVCX online, and I would go in and play around and have it generate bet ramps for different games with different bankrolls, it was very educational.

I would imagine that Blackjack Attack would be the best book for this sort of information, although I haven't read it yet.

And of course, as soon as you get an optimum betting worked out, you might start dismantling it to try to get some camouflage.

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by sagefr0g

i use simulation software. i use sage blackjack (no relation) and Casino Verite.
i find them indispensible when researching the tryed and true areas of advantage play but unfortunately not so useful for the 'gray' areas not covered in books.

Thanks sage. So I take it you would use to determine your bet ramp and all that stuff? They sound like they would give you a better chance to succeed as a counter.

Anyway by "gray" I just meant the cracks that books don't exactly cover due to all the variations of games, bets, bankrolls etc. Not the tricky stuff lol like hole-carding or whatever lol.

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

Are there any articles in those bjmath pages that don't have so much... math? (edit: the section on Kelly betting has some nice grade-school versions I can understand)

For a while last year, QFIT has a free login to CVCX online, and I would go in and play around and have it generate bet ramps for different games with different bankrolls, it was very educational.

I would imagine that Blackjack Attack would be the best book for this sort of information, although I haven't read it yet.

And of course, as soon as you get an optimum betting worked out, you might start dismantling it to try to get some camouflage.

So how do you work out your optimum bet, ramp etc without access anymore to CVCx? Or you did and you just always play the games you printed stuff out for?

I would recommend that book but there is a lot of math. If I understand it, great, if I don't that's OK because I believe it since he figured out all the maximizing, integral calculus stuff. He does go into camouflage in pretty good depth.