Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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I frequent a casino where it's a 6 deck shoe, H17, DA2, DAS, No Surrender. I want to play on the $5 tables, but is there a way to play so that i don't make alot of money, but the risk is low? Basically because I want to be able to just spend a few relaxing hours, but not worry about loosing alot of money. I can HI/LOW count a deck in 35 seconds, play with a fibonaci progression and have memorized the basic strategy for the casino i frequent. but it feels more like work. is there a way to make it more enjoyable? and lowering the risk?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Albert,

One way you can lower your risk is to decrease the spread between the minimum and maximum bet. Of course by doing this you will also be decreasing your profit potential but I gather your goal is to minimize risk. So instead of spreading for example from 1 to 6 units, decrease your spread from 1 to 3 units. Another way to minimize risk is instead of betting a large amount on 1 hand, split the amount and play two hand (for example instead of betting 2 units on one hand, bet 1 unit on each of two hands).

Regards,

Henry

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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I perfectly understand how counting cards helps to adapt decisions from the basic strategy. But I don't see how it helps to determine the starting bet (the theory is to bet more on a positive count). From what I know, a positive count gives the dealer the same probability as you to get a good hand... Can you comment on this?

Regards,
Paul.
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Dear Paul,

Even though the probability of you and the dealer getting high cards when the count is positive is the same, you gain more because the rules of the game are not the same for player and dealer. You get paid 1.5 to 1 on a blackjack but the casino only wins 1 to 1 if the dealer gets a blackjack. You can double down on 10, and 11’s in high counts and have a good shot at winning twice the initial bet (dealer can’t do this). The dealer must hit 16 or less even in high counts but you can stand on stiff hands on high counts. Many pair splitting opportunities for the player are more favorable in high counts (eg. splitting 7’s through 9’s and aces). Also you can take insurance, which becomes a profitable bet in high counts. The player has more opportunity to take advantage of high count situation than the dealer and these extra monetary gains shifts makes the player’s expectation positive rather than negative.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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For a recreational player, which system would be the easiest to incorporate - K-O,Hi-Lo, or Hi Opt I ? I just want to enjoy the game without many major loses.
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Hmmurdo,

For a recreational player I would suggest the K-O count because it is easier to implement (doesn’t involve converting a running count to true count). But keep in mind any counting system will involve some risk because in order to gain the edge you must have a decent spread between your minimum and maximum bets. There will be times that you will lose several maximum bets in a row, which is why it is important to follow the bankroll guidelines in the K-O count.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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i forget, is the basic rule that if the dealer has 16 or lower u stay
w/ whatevr u hav

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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Curiousds,

No. You stand if the dealer has 16 or less if you have a hard 13 through 16. If you have a hard 12, HIT if the dealer shows a 2 or 3 and stand if he shows 4, 5 or 6. Another way to memorize this is always stand on hard 12 through 16 when the dealer has 6 or less except HIT hard 12 against dealer 2 and 3.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Henry, I plan on switching from th Hi-Lo count to Hi-Opt 1. I find the increase in playing efficiency of .635 with a side count of aces much more powerfull than the .51 of Hi-Lo, especially playing single and DD games. What is your insight on my counting switch. Phil

P.S. I ordered your video tape last year and really liked it.
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Phil,

The Hi Opt 1 is one of the best counting systems for single and double deck games. If you can handle the side count of aces without making mistakes in your count, go for it.

Regards,

Henry

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Hi,
I am somewhat new to online gaiming but I am very concerned since I recently won a fairly large sum from RomanPalace casino (www.romanpalace.com) after losing a fairly large sum... however, their website seems to have disappeared since I won this money back, leaving me wondering weather I have been taken. Any advise on how to pursue this matter?
Thank you,
Steve
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Steve,

Regards,

Henry Tamburin