I'm done with this one.
BlackKing.. by the way.. your first two questions are myths. I'd recommend learning an easier system like KO from the book Knockout Blackjack. If your using this system is much easier to always play a game with the same number of decks with the same rules.. such as whether or not the dealer hits soft 17 or stands on soft 17 otherwise you'll have to memorize a whole set of new numbers for each different game with KO.
You mentioned minimizing losing streaks and maximizing winning streaks. Sounds good, but it's utter nonsense. If anyone knew when a winning or losing streak was about to begin, they would be millionaires. All progressions are losers.
Gamblers tend to minimize the amounts they've lost and focus on the amounts they've won. It takes balls to be a gambler, because a gambler is going against the odds. He figures to lose over time. All he can do is grin and bear the losses, and enjoy the wins when they come. He is forced to live for the big wins, because overall he will be a net loser. If you don't mind losing more than you win, but live for the occasional big wins, then you'll do fine just the way you are. But if you want to be a net winner, and if you want to play with the knowledge that you are playing with the odds on your side, then you would be wise to heed the advice given by others above.
Most gamblers I know don't want to learn how to play smart. That is because they falsely believe they are already playing smart. They trust their instincts. They raise their bets when they feel they are due for a win. They believe totally in themselves with no basis whatsoever for that dogged belief. When it goes right, they say, "See, I told you so!" When it goes bad, they have a thousand excuses.
"The guy at third base took the dealer's bust card."
"Every time I had 20, the dealer had 21. Every time I had 21, the dealer also had 21, or else, a blackjack."
"I never saw anything like it; I was dealt a stiff 10 times in a row and busted them all."
"Every time I doubled on 11, I was dealt an ace!"
"Houdini couldn't win when the cards are running this bad."
"I should have played my hunch and bet my bankroll last hand. I got a blackjack, but I only had $25 bet."
"No one can win when the cards are cold."
"All the stupid plays this table is making is ruining the flow of the cards."
"That should have been my 5!"
The real reason a player loses is because the house has the advantage. All the rest is incidental. If you learn how to play at an advantage, you will be better able to weather the misfortunes that typically beleaguer blackjack players and when the smoke clears you will in the winners circle. Are you guaranteed to win? No, the only sure things in life are still death and taxes. But you will have the advantage and mathematically you will be winner in the long run. Playing with a 1% advantage is still a gamble, only you will have slightly the best of it. That is certainly better than the house having the best of it.
Regarding winning streaks at double deck, advantage players do not play for streaks, and you would be wise not to do so either. "If only I had used my progression when I won those 10 hands in a row, I would have made a fortune!" Baloney!! Since streaks are only known in hindsight, a player would likely lose a fortune before they ever made that fortune.
Regarding the number of players at the table, without an advantage, the difference between playing with a full table or heads up is nearly moot. Actually, for you the full table is better because you will play less hands per hour and therefore you will lose at a slower rate. IF you are playing heads up, the dealer does not get 50% of the blackjacks on average-- if you are playing two hands. But that fact will not save you if you are playing at a disadvantage.
Decide what you want. If you want to continue as you are, then please don't try to convince anyone here of the wisdom of your ways. If you want to learn how to play at an advantage, ask questions, listen and learn.
Aslan 11/1/90 - 6/15/10 Stormy 1/22/95 - 8/23/10... “Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
When I was getting serious I had some bad losses while playing tired. I am not sure but I believe my fatigue may have been at least partially responsible for the losses. You must be honest with yourself and do your best to find the best playing conditions when and where they are and play them at your peak performance. All those hours of playing crap are better spent relaxing and enjoying the trip. Just make sure your are well rested, properly hydrated and your blood sugar is at a good level for peak performance. You will get the money without giving it back to either crappy games or poor performance.
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