Betting Strategy for Card Counting

[E-town-guy]

First off I think its important to mention this thread is about betting during card counting so people don't think I'm talking about progressions.

Now the question...I've read a lot of posts lately, the majority by Zengrifter, where he recommends leaving the table when the TC is -1 or worse. At the casino I usually play at though it would be difficult to leave a table as they usually only have a couple going at the limit I want at which they don't usually allow midshoe entry. Therefore I'm wondering if I can actually sit and play at all counts and still make money.

Here are the table conditions:

4 decks
75% pen
hit soft 17
double any 2 cards
DAS allowed
early surrender but not against a dealers ace
table limits $10-100

The restriction on the table limits prevents one from having a 1-20 spread and betting something like $5 on neg. counts and up to $100 on plus counts. Also for the calculations assume an unlimited bankroll as I'm first off interested in whether or not anyone can make money at this game. If so, what is the hourly rate and best betting scheme?

I'll mention that in Stanford Wong's book his benchmark win rate is $16/hr with a few different rules, dealer stands on soft 17 and DAS not allowed. I assume that my win rate should be roughly the same as the early surrender more than compensates hitting soft 17. Wong's win rate is for the same table limits I've mentioned $10-100 where the player bets $100 at +4, $75 at +3, $50 at +2, $25 at +1 and $10 at 0 and neg. counts.

Thanks in advance for the help!

P.S. I'd also like to mention that heat from the pit isn't really a concern at this casino

[zengrifter]

Assuming that you are not alone at the table, you will ideally bet 2 hands at +2 or higher, like this -

+1 = $25
+2 = $25+$25
+3 = $50+$50
+4 = $60+$60
+5 = $75+$75

Additionally, you will need to limit your exposure at counts below +1 and you can do so by using a combination of the following: well-timed bathroom breaks, pretend cell calls (will they let you back in if you take a call?), and possibly by playing every other hand (net bet $5), every 3rd hand (net bet $3.33), etc.

Lastly, with top bets of $100 or 2x $75 you'd better have a segregated BR of $10k or close to it or easily replenishable. If you have significantly less than this amount, we will need to rethink the bet ramp or live with a higher inherent RoR. zg

[E-town-guy]

Thanks for the quick reply Zengrifter I have a few more questions.

I assume your betting scheme must be better than the one proposed by Wong so I'm wondering what the expected hourly rate would be. Secondly, how come you never bet $100 at two squares? Wouldn't that mean more profit (again assuming an unlimited BR)? Thirdly, I thought I remember reading a post by you from before about there being a lot of times when its better to only play one hand instead of 2 or more. Does that not matter too much? If so why not spread to 3 or more squares? And lastly if you're alone at the table should you only bet one square?

At the moment I have a bit less than $10,000 but with a regular full-time job I can replenish my BR so I'd estimate its $12,000-$15,000.

Thanks again!

[E-town-guy]

Doesn't anybody have two cents to add??!!