Too good to be true!

KenSmith

Administrator
Staff member
#21
Why won't it work in the long run? Because you'll lose 9 hands in a row every once in a while, and you can't possibly make up for that huge loss with all those $10 wins.

This progression is called the Martingale. Search for it and you'll find it widely discussed.
 
#22
Martingale progression.

This negative progression called Martingale is a dead end for a player. BJ casinos' business stands upon it. They put a cup on your betting power! And 10 losses in a raw is just a usual thing. Just think, you

Bet 1 is 10...you lose
Bet 2 is 20...you lose (30 total)
Bet 3 is 40...you lose (70 total)
Bet 4 is 80...you lose (150 total)
Bet 5 is 160...you lose (310 total)
Bet 6 is 320 ...you lose(630 total)
Bet 7 is 640 ...you lose(1270 total)
Bet 8 is 1280...you lose(2550 total)

in order to win only a minimal bet of ten bucks!

You risk 2550 US$ to win 10. Does it worth it? My advice is bet 10 in a raw of 3 or 10 (it depends) and if you loose just stop playing. The result is obvious you lost 30 or 100 total and save almost 2400.

Isn't it called a luck?
 
#23
Thanks....I guess it's just beginners luck....

I'm way ahead money wise at present, so I'm going to continue until my luck turns. Tonight I'm going to another casino in London...Taking 2000 in cash, leave plastic at home (playing 10-2000 table)....

Couple of questions if anyone can help?

1).....On the issue of basic strategy. I have 4 different colored tables which are all different versions of basic strategy...Is there a true 'Stand out' version on the web...Many experts, but I don't know who is the experts expert when it comes to this...

2).....The various BJ sims and tutors...Is it random? or Intuitive...recommendation for a good simulator?

Vanir

The thing is, I seldom win 10...It happens of course, but with doubling,splits,re-splits etc, it's more often 30-40...

Plus once I get ahead enough, say 6-800 of their money. I just throw a 50 or 100 in whenever I think it's about time....If I lose this 50-100. I don't count it as part of the bet, and don't try to recover it, until I win it back slowly...

Often I'll lose 300 say...But if my original bet (which I would put down as well) was 20..It's the 20 that I'd double, not the 320.....

Basically, once I get say 2000 ahead, I play a lot of random bets, which I think of as fun money...It was theirs to start with and I haven't lost anything if I lose.

Remeber, I'm not trying to find a new line of work. This is just a lot of fun (until I start losing :eek:

Anway, thanks for the advice guys. and good luck
 

Mikeaber

Well-Known Member
#24
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php

The above link will take you to the Basic Strategy Engine located here on BlackjackInfo.com. Just key in the rules of the game you are wanting to play and it will give you the correct hit/stand/double/split strategy moves.

You probalby have accumulated strategies for several different table rules and number of decks. Strategy differs slightly from game to game.

There has been so much NEGATIVE feedback already on the Martingale negative progression you are using that it would be very redundant to elaborate or debate in this thread the "pros and cons" of it. If you decide to follow it as you say, then more power to you. You will be ignoring the advise of some of the best blackjack minds in the world and I am NOT including myself in that category!
 
#25
Thanks again Mike!

I've just spent a while researching the Martingale strategy, and as you point out! It's not the smartest deal around and I'm lucky to have done well with it so far...

My card addition is not yet automatic in all cases, so I can only play one strategy/game at a time. I'm going to spend a few hours today trying to play Basic strategy and using a basic progressive staking plan of 5.10.15.20.25.

Just got to get my head around doing the reverse of what I've been doing.

It'll be interesting to see the outcome!...Although it's going to be hard to determine (for a long time) what's skill and what's luck?

Last question for a while!....Do you count, if yes? what system? and what is the easiest counting system for a rookie to learn?

Ok, that was the second last question ;) ..

I just set my sim up that the dealer makes mistakes here and there. I never thought about it before, and because the game is still pretty fast for me, I don't always have the dealer and my cards counted in time...before it's on to the next hand...Is there any system for helping you to tally up the cards or is is just keep going until it becomes automatic. right now certain combinations are automatic, but if it goes multi card and a split thown in I'm just too slow!

Thanks for the link...

Thomas
 

Mikeaber

Well-Known Member
#26
Understand Thomas, that by disparaging the Martingale Negative Progression, I did not mean to endorse Positive progressions. Neither one is going to gain you an edge over the house. Again, much has been posted on this delima that seems to crop up almost weekly.

My recommendation is that if you are playing for the entertainment value only, then your best bet is to just flat bet the minimum amount and hope that variance swing your way and let you walk away with a profit.

I can recommend the KO system (Knock Out) for beginniners. It is easily learned, but like any counting system, will require practice time to build up speed.

There is no magic formula for speed in counting at the tables under casino conditions. Yes, look for pairs that cancel each other. Just work at it and the speed will come.
 
#27
Mike

I played a few hands of positive progression and basically hovered around the starting BR...Not much either way...I think I stayed within $150 either side after more than an hours playing. But I'm not sure how 'real' these simulators are.

The positive progression is a lot less heart pounding than Negative, that's for sure! Would probably be the smartest way for me to play to limit the potential damage...Flat betting seems pretty boring....

Even though I say I'm in it for fun not major profit, most of the 'kick' comes from winning right?

Anyway, It's 4.15pm here, so I'm gonna put my lucky shirt on:laugh: and head down the road to the Casino....

Thanks for the advice...

Thomas
 
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