Recently I read it some where. Has anyone tried it?

Basic strategy blackjack players sometimes ask me for a simple way to overcome the small house edge in blackjack with little worry over being recognized as a card counter. This is often done with the motive of milking the casinos for comps and free tournaments. Most players with the goal of just breaking even use a traditional card counting strategy but with a very small bet spread. However, I offer the following alternative, which is easier to use, and I doubt will arouse any suspicions. The simple rules are as follows.

1. Establish what your minimum bet will be. This is called one unit.
2. At the beginning of each shoe, start a running count at zero.
3. For each 5 observed, add one to the running count.
4. For each ace observed, subtract one from the running count.
5. If the running count is less than or equal to zero, then bet one unit. Otherwise bet 2×(unit size)×(running count).
6. Use basic strategy for all playing decisions.

This strategy is designed to be most effective on six-deck games. To get past the break even point the dealer will need to stand on a soft 17. If surrender or resplitting aces is allowed then that is all the better, but not required to get a postive expected value. Most of the finer Las Vegas Strip casinos have liberal six-deck games, with the dealer standing on soft 17, late surrender, resplitting aces allowed, with 75% penetration the norm. These rules result in a player edge of 0.22%.

I have never tried it, but it sounds like a pretty good strategy. I’d definitely have to practice that one for a while before I went out.

Sounds like a very good method. I think i’ll try it next time I’m out.

Do you know what the success rate of this method is?

Wow, this is way too confusing for me. I think I’m going to have to stick to the beginner section lol… How long did it take you until you were ready to tackle ideas like this?

Great strategy and I have used it successfully a few times. I think every amateur gambler should learn it. It could handy anytime.

Superb! lots of answers once more. This is quickly becoming my favorite hangout. Members are so helpful and active.

Hey PK, mind throwing some extra light on how exactly you play it and what has been your success rate.

Sorry for the delay but I think the calculations in the OP aren’t right.

“These rules result in a player edge of 0.22%.”

It should be 0.32% and not 0.22%. Can any expert please verify.

Goodboy Pokerking. I too was pretty upset when I wasn’t able to sum up the parameters in the OP. Yes 0.32% does make sense. Where the OP?

Well the strategy is good but I think our advantage is pretty low which would make me rethink about whether or not to play it! You shouldn’t jump in a well when you know there is no water and you are going to get badly bruised.