Spread and bet amount

[Winnie D]

I've been reading up on bet spreads and the question I had was does using a smaller spread with larger bet amounts offset any advantage you give up by not using a larger spread and making smaller bets? I know that using a larger spread is more advantageous, but can be a big red flag for counters. Of course larger wagers can be a red flag as well, but I normally play at $100 min. tables and spread 1-5 and so far I've found this to be a good thing because I find it lessens my swings in variance and when the count is good I can get up in a hurry with a good amount and thus keep my sessions short and my winnings at a premium, and thus, less heat. But then again, I'm still pretty new to the game and I may be missing some big points here, so I thought I'd throw this out there and see what you guys think.

[Bodarc]

How many decks with your 1-5 spread Winnie?

[Winnie D]

Game is six deck, S17, Split up to four, DAS, re-split Aces.

[Pierce]

Sounds like your grinding out your advantage with that spread, most people would tell you you are wasting your time, but at your high bet level you will still be making a good amount of hourly EV/win rate.
If you are happy with this amount and are not looking at an imminent back off, then carry on. Obviously you could make a lot more spreading further, but you already know that. Maybe push 1-6 and see how it goes. The try 1-7, 1-8 etc...
You will probably find you have a different spread for different stores depending on how much they can take. One stores 1-5 is anothers 1-15.

[bigplayer]

Bigger spread is better. There is a point of diminishing returns for spreads depending on when you exit the table for greener pastures. Essentially gigantic spreads has the same effect as wonging because your min bet is insignificant. If you use a narrow spread you are effectively choosing to bet more when the casino has the edge against you and that costs you money.

Since your bigger bets are based on your edge and bankroll you really only have control over your bottom bet. When the casino has the edge the lower your bottom bet can be the better off you will be. If you're spreading $100 to 2x$500 (1-10 spread) or $25 to 2x$500 betting $100 off the top (40-1 spread) you're likely to get equal amounts of heat either way....particularly if you avoid playing a large number of negative counts. If you're going to get the same heat either way then I'd rather get it betting $25 into negative counts than $100.

[bigplayer]

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Game is six deck, S17, Split up to four, DAS, re-split Aces.

If pure Wonging you could spread 1-4 (i.e., never playing counts worse than +1). If you're starting at the shuffle and exiting the table at TC -1.5 or so you should not be using any less than a 1-14 spread, but 1-20 is better. If you refuse to play counts worse than -1 spreading more than 1-20 will reduce your flux and N0 a bit but won't increase your win rate by any appreciable amount. If you use a later Wongout point like -2.5 you need a giant spread like 1-40 or 1-80 so that your bets in minus counts are very very tiny. (or exceedingly good penetration where rebounds in the count near the end of the shoe are more likely due to wild count variations in games with less than 1 deck cutoff).

[Meistro123]

Essentially the minimum bet is meaningless. At a given advantage, based on your own particular tolerance for risk you should be betting a certain amount.

[Sharky]

If pure Wonging you could spread 1-4 (i.e., never playing counts worse than +1). If you're starting at the shuffle and exiting the table at TC -1.5 or so you should not be using any less than a 1-14 spread, but 1-20 is better. If you refuse to play counts worse than -1 spreading more than 1-20 will reduce your flux and N0 a bit but won't increase your win rate by any appreciable amount. If you use a later Wongout point like -2.5 you need a giant spread like 1-40 or 1-80 so that your bets in minus counts are very very tiny. (or exceedingly good penetration where rebounds in the count near the end of the shoe are more likely due to wild count variations in games with less than 1 deck cutoff).

...some of the best advice i've heard on here...well put, big