shouldn't there be a way to figuar out the best betting strategy

[Quinc]

Maybe Ken can do this? Basic strategy came from doing millions of computer tests on bj hands to figuar out the long term way of playing blackjack. Isn't it possible to do the same thang but with betting? Have the same computers run threw millions of blackjack hands playing B.S and trying out all the diffrent betting strategies out there and seeing which ones win the most or lose the least? Of course you would have to set table limits and have a set bankroll. I don't know how complicated you would be able to make it though.

[KenSmith]

That's an easy one. If you're playing a game with a house edge, which includes almost all blackjack games with just basic strategy, the optimal strategy is to not play at all.

Short of that, the second best strategy is to bet the minimum on every hand.

Any betting system that increases your bets will cost you money.

[Quinc]

fair enough..

[Midnite]

Ken's answer is of course, dead on.
But flat betting is Boring....
So, players try some from of a progression.

There a best way to play your hands....Basic Strategy.
There is a best way to bet your hands.....Counting.

Is there a best way to bet for the progression player, that doesn't count cards ?????

Here are the results from 73 hands that I just played and recorded.
The senero is three guys, a flat better, a counter and a progression player (Oscars Grind) all decide to play.
But only the counter will play the hands (one spot).
They will "piggy back' their bets and he will play.
That way they are all using the same hands.
The deal is : They all start with $100 and it ends when (1) one of them doubles his money or (2) they have played one hour.

At the end of 73 hands : (which had a nice win percent of 52.03%)

Flat better +$32.50
Counter +$42.50
Oscar +$102.50

What does this prove.......Nothing. (other than they "fell right" for Oscar's Grind)

Three different methods and three different results, on the Same hands.

And again, I am NOT saying you should play Oscar's Grind.

[Mikeaber]

Originally Posted by KenSmith

That's an easy one. If you're playing a game with a house edge, which includes almost all blackjack games with just basic strategy, the optimal strategy is to not play at all.

Short of that, the second best strategy is to bet the minimum on every hand.

Any betting system that increases your bets will cost you money.

DAMN!!! That's what I've been trying to say all along and you summed it up in one nice sentence!

[tedloc]

[QUOTE=Midnite]Ken's answer is of course, dead on.
But flat betting is Boring....

Let me enter the fray about flat bets. Let me start by saying, I have only been on this site for a few months. It seems to me that most of US( myself included) are not big $ players. I haven't read may posts, where guys are playing with$25,000. We enjoy the game and are trying to make a few bucks, so we can keep playing. If I can break even, then I can play again tomorrow. Having played the game for over 40 years, I have made a few observations. Let me know, where I'm going wrong.

1. Two of us are playing against the dealer, using only single deck. We are making flat bets of $50. Eight cards are left. Seven 10's and a 7. I bet $250 and have a 12.5% chance of winning a 75% chance for a push and a 12.5% chance of losing. For me, two much risk.

2. Same scenearo. I make my flat BET OF $ 50, see that the dealer has a 7 up and split my 10's.

I have found over the years that although FLAT BETS may be boring, they will keep you in the game longer and allow you to play through a losing streak. Most of the time during a shoe, you are the underdog. Why double or triple your bet when your the underdog. Wait until you become the favorite (11 vs 10 9/9 vs 6) to raise the stakes. How many times have you increased your bet only to see the dealer, deal an Ace, check the hole card and turn up a BJ.

My contention is: if you feel like raising you bet up to $200, only put out $100 and wait until the cards are delt. See who has the advantage. Maybe if the count is very, very positive, you might decide to double your 7 vs the dealers 6. Although, I'm not recommending you do it, your no worse off than you would have been putting out the whole $200 befor the hand was delt.

[Djinon]

What about this one. I know someone else should have come up with this by now.

Bet 1 unit. Win, keep winnings and bet again. Lose, bet again. Lose again, double bet. Keep doubling every loss. When you win, you are either even or ahead because of a blackjack, possibly far ahead if the blackjack comes late.

Now, with an unlimited bank, this is unbeatable. Limited, however, it just depends on what you play with and the minimum. On a $1 table you can lose 7 hands and come back with only $128.

Thoughts?

[LeonShuffle]

That's called the Martingale method. And with table limits and a limited bankroll, it's the fastest way to ruin. I once went 18 straight hands (on-line) without a win. 3 pushes, 15 losses (I think 5 or 6 of them were double down losses). Luckily, I was flat betting as I always do on-line.

[Djinon]

I forgot to mention that it had to be no limit. I remembered that on the way to the casino.

[Jester]

OK, how about this? Bet one, win, bet one, lose, bet one, win, etc. When the Basic Strategy dictates, double down. When the count is favorable, up the bet according to the positive count...

Sorry, I just couldn't resist!