My first trip

[Automatic Monkey]

Well we dont really have any advanced team playing strategies, just a combined bankroll. We plan on playing separate tables, and not even communicating while inside of the casino.

Good idea. One very important thing in SD is avoiding crowded conditions. Never play with more than 3 hands in a game, and the optimum number is 2. (Even if they are both your own.)

Also look for games with RO7 penetration (the number of rounds plus the number of players is 7). The standard is RO6, and avoid any game dealt RO5.

 

[SPX]

Supercoolmancool and ScottH?

Whatever happened to those guys? They just crossed my mind a couple of days ago. . .

 

[caliplaya209]

so basically how i see it is

if there is 1 of us at each table, we play two hands everytime? even if the count is low?

and if there is 2 of us at 1 table, we just play 1 hand each?

and also sunny told us to start raising our bets at a true count of 1...

previously we didnt raise it untli tc of 3...to $50

what should we raise it to when the TC is 1 or 2?


thanks for your time

 

[rollem411]

Your edge is so small at TC of 1, I would do it at 2 to be on the safe side. I ran a sim the other day and my TC 1 was still at a disadvantage with my rules and such, but i'm not sure how it would work with yours.

 

[rollem411]

Let me add that because you are playing a SD game in Vegas, you probably do have an advantage at 1. I say to play at 2 because this is your first time playing in the casino atmosphere and should be a little more conservative to make up for any playing errors and betting errors as it may happen your first few times out there.

 

[Sonny]

if there is 1 of us at each table, we play two hands everytime? even if the count is low?

Yes.

and if there is 2 of us at 1 table, we just play 1 hand each?

Don’t play at the same table. The whole point of a joint bankroll is that you can each play as though you had a $5,000 bankroll even though you are sharing it. When you play together at the same table you must scale your bets down which will earn less money. If you play at separate tables then you can each use the full spread.

and also sunny told us to start raising our bets at a true count of 1...what should we raise it to when the TC is 1 or 2?

With Reno rules you probably don’t have a decent edge until +2. Here is a generic betting strategy:

<+2 = $25
+2 = $50
+3 = $75
+4 = $100

For two hands it would look like:

<+2 = 2 x $15
+2 = 2 x $30
+3 = 2 x $60
+4 = 2 x $75

Or you could play it safe and use:

<+2 = 2 x $10
+2 = 2 x $25
+3 = 2 x $40
+4 = 2 x $50

The concept of optimal betting can be complicated, especially with team play. I would suggest that you just play it safely during this trip. It will give you a chance to get a feel for casino play, but as soon as you get back you should read about variance, standard deviation, risk of ruin, proportional betting, and other necessary topics. Without a proper betting strategy you can’t expect to win in the long run. You need to understand all of these topics (and more!) before you start betting big money and playing as a team.

-Sonny-

 

[Mimosine]

You need to understand all of these topics (and more!) before you start betting big money and playing as a team.
-Sonny-

a good place to start is "Blackjack Attack, 3rd edition."

 

[bj bob]

With Reno rules you probably don’t have a decent edge until +2. Here is a generic betting strategy:
The concept of optimal betting can be complicated, especially with team play. I would suggest that you just play it safely during this trip. It will give you a chance to get a feel for casino play, but as soon as you get back you should read about variance, standard deviation, risk of ruin, proportional betting, and other necessary topics. Without a proper betting strategy you can’t expect to win in the long run. You need to understand all of these topics (and more!) before you start betting big money and playing as a team.

-Sonny-

I agree with you there Sonny, however these days fully 1/3 of Reno is now Vegas-type rules, i.e. DOA and 2 clubs now have LS, so therefore I would suggest that bet ramping could start at +1 TC in clubs like Fitz's, Boomtown, Siena and all of Sparks. The +2 is still the way to go at Circus, Legacy and El Dorado etc. The difference between SD d10 and DOA is a pretty healthy .26% off the top and IMHO justifies the more aggressive ramping.

 

[superman02]

Wouldn't the 2 hands of 10, 25, 40, 50 on SD cause a lot of heat because of the 1-5 bet spread?

Would it be better to do a spread of 15,30,45,60?

 

[Sonny]

Wouldn't the 2 hands of 10, 25, 40, 50 on SD cause a lot of heat because of the 1-5 bet spread?

If you get heat for spreading 1-5 then you will still get heat spreading 1-4. The pit boss isn't going to think "Well, that's only 1-4 so I'll leave him alone." If they catch you, you're out no matter what spread you're using. In the words of my buddy syph:

“I was chased out of the Cal-Neva by half a dozen security guards. Twice. I believe my top bet was $14 the first time, $19 the second. I was barred from the Sienna for spreading $5-$20.”

http://www.blackjackforumonline.com/content/reno_heat.htm

That’s why it is important to play short hit-and-run sessions and to pay attention. If this is your first trip then it won’t be your bet spread that gives you away, it will be your behavior. As I said before, just play it safe for now. You can hit them for some real money once you get your plan together.

-Sonny-

 

[Mimosine]

most importantly - make sure to report back here about your adventures!!

 

[superman02]

No problem, we definitely will.

I had a question about ROR.

When we're playing 2 hands, does anything change (other than the hands played) in the ROR formula on the site: http://www.qfit.com/blackjack-calculator-c3.htm?

Also, do we include our whole team bankroll for the Bankroll in Units?

 

[caliplaya209]

bumping

 

[Sonny]

When we're playing 2 hands, does anything change (other than the hands played) in the ROR formula on the site: http://www.qfit.com/blackjack-calculator-c3.htm?

Either your EV or SD will change, maybe both. It all depends on how you spread your bets between those 2 hands. That will affect your RoR.

Also, do we include our whole team bankroll for the Bankroll in Units?

Yes.

-Sonny-

 

[Knox]

I sent this as a pm to sonny but wouldn't mind other people's thoughts as well.

OK so we never really considered playing two hands when the count is high and I have a few questions.

Right now, with 2 of us on the team, we were gonna play with a 25-100 spread. For counts 2 or less, $25. Count of 3 or 4, $50. Count of 5, $75. And count of 6+, $100. So should we change it to 2 hands of $50 each when the count is 6+?

What is the benefit of this exactly?

And wouldn't this cause us to get more heat?

So we know where you are playing and your exact betting strategy. Perhaps you are exposing too much information on a public website?

 

[Kasi]

So we know where you are playing and your exact betting strategy. Perhaps you are exposing too much information on a public website?

If you know their exact betting strategy, I suspect you're the only one lol.

I hope they're not overly attached to the $5K.

Whatever they bet, let's get on to the team aspect - how much money will each player take to a casino and how long will he play? When do they split, if they do, winnings or losses? Will they play the same way if separately? Do they feel they are equally skillful players? Will any adjustments be made for game conditions? What EV are you expecting? Etc.