Playing one hand vs 2

[abukase1]

I have a question on DD DAS can double any 2 card , No surrender bj pay 3:2 vegas style

Min 100 max 5000
betting 1 unit to 10 unit .

If deck is positive would it be better to split to hands the 10 unit bet to $500 or bet $1000 in one Spot.
Again this is when the running count is + 7 or better.

Ely

[Pacman]

I hope you mean true count, not running, unless using an unbalanced system...
1x1000 vs 2x 500? 2x500 would be same ev but less risk. Try 2x800. Same risk as 1x1000 but more EV.

2 hands is best if playing with multiple people. Otherwise, you just eat up more cards in high counts which is only good if the cut card is on the next round.

Spreading to 2 hands in high counts at that betting level probably will require either an act or a very tolerant store. Easier to accomplish if you start with two hands instead. I say this because spreading to more hands in higher counts is a pretty classic counter move. Try to mix it up so it looks more natural or only after a loss to "change the flow".

~Pac

[Jentho]

Spreading to two hands will lower your variance and make it look like you are betting less

[RS]

Or you could play 2 hands in negative counts (to run through the bad cards quicker), then play 1 hand in positive (+EV) counts as to preserve good cards....at least if playing heads up.

I would NOT play 1 hand at bad counts then spread to 2 hands in good counts (on a DD game, that is), especially at that betting level, where you will most definitely get scrutiny.


Not concerning heat but from a "correct play" / ROR stand-point, if you're playing 2 hands, the two hands should total 150% of a wager at that count. For example, if your max bet is $800 and the count says to bet $800 (on 1 hand), you could bet a total of $1,200 on two hands (or $600 each). In other words, when playing 2 hands, bet 75% of your normal bet on two hands (instead of $100 on one hand, bet $75 on two hands).

[Pacman]

Is it 75% for 2 hands? Thought i was 80% for 2, 60% for 3?

~Pac

[Jentho]

Correct number is 76% for two

[Pacman]

76%? Thats a stupid number >.>
I'll go wit 75% then.

~Pac

[bigplayer]

Heads up, it doesn't matter if you play 1 hand or 2 hands. Betting $100 to $1000 on one spot is fine. That said, I believe you can play two hands in one round faster than you can play one hand in each of two rounds thus you'll get through a + count shoe faster (time wise) which is important if there is any risk of the casino backing you off mid-shoe or breaking the shoe on you. Optimally though spreading 100 to 2x$750 gets 50% more money on the table but uses 50% more cards so your net action per shoe when heads up is exactly the same.

With other players you should move to two hands as soon as you have an advantage because those other players are eating up your positive rounds. By playing two hands you put 50% more money on the table but use less than 50% more cards per round so you make more money by spreading to more hands. Other players do help you in negative shoes by eating up those bad cards but they hurt you more than they help you when they eat cards in plus rounds. Often when you spread to two hands they will lose and blame you and decide to sit out in which case you're really golden in positive counts. Likewise, in negative counts you might drop to 1 hand (if you were playing 2) and they will often spread to two hands to "maintain the flow" which also helps you because they are paying the tax to eat up negative rounds and don't realize it.

[Rudy]

Heads up, it doesn't matter if you play 1 hand or 2 hands. Betting $100 to $1000 on one spot is fine. That said, I believe you can play two hands in one round faster than you can play one hand in each of two rounds thus you'll get through a + count shoe faster (time wise) which is important if there is any risk of the casino backing you off mid-shoe or breaking the shoe on you. Optimally though spreading 100 to 2x$750 gets 50% more money on the table but uses 50% more cards so your net action per shoe when heads up is exactly the same.

With other players you should move to two hands as soon as you have an advantage because those other players are eating up your positive rounds. By playing two hands you put 50% more money on the table but use less than 50% more cards per round so you make more money by spreading to more hands. Other players do help you in negative shoes by eating up those bad cards but they hurt you more than they help you when they eat cards in plus rounds. Often when you spread to two hands they will lose and blame you and decide to sit out in which case you're really golden in positive counts. Likewise, in negative counts you might drop to 1 hand (if you were playing 2) and they will often spread to two hands to "maintain the flow" which also helps you because they are paying the tax to eat up negative rounds and don't realize it.

This is the best explanation Abukase, crystal clear... Nice post Big.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

abukase1,

That spread is roughly double what casinos will tolerate ~ especially betting black.

Most casinos will bar you with alacrity if you spread to 2 hands with strong counts.

[Goatlife]

sure in vegas he won't last betting like that at the mgm double decks enless there is something else going on. But im sure there are places that will tolerat a 1-10 spread with no heat on double deck and just start heating you up when thye decide they can't beat you which will mean you will be able to play like 50 hours and show a low to medium 5 figure win.. Most every place will nail you for counting but finding the stores that don't sweat a spread, let you prove yourself to be a winner, then kick you are how to make it if you want to make money counting betting more than 2x400

[bigplayer]

I refrained from making judgements about heat because he didn't ask about that, but since Flash brought it up, I agree spot spreading on double deck is DEATH! You can't get away with it more than maybe on your final big shuffle. Spot spreading on shoe games is not that big a deal especially if you play only one or two big count shoes per session per casino. You can get away with spot spreading starting with 2 spots and dropping to 1 spot in minus counts and not returning to two spots until the shuffle. If heads up on a double deck game you should probably just stick to one spot.

[moo321]

On shoe games, shifting to two hands is the norm. You simply have to do it, not doing so is costly betting cover. However, on DD or SD, spreading to 2 hands is somewhat aggressive. I'm not saying not to do it, just be aware that it's a bit aggressive. If the crew is stupid and they let you do it, then do it.

And all of this "heat" discussion is meaningless without context. 1-10 in Vegas is insanity. Heck, 1-6 will get you tossed at a lot of places. But, I've played some DD where min to max is tolerated. Heat is all about knowing the enemy.