Increasing your bet one unit

[cmckeever]

Hi,

I was just wondering, if you wanted to increase your bet one unit, should you double your initial bet or play two hands. For example, if you are playing $25 and win and want to increase your bet, should you let your winning bet ride or play a second hand at $25.

I thought it would be better to play two hands, thus increasing your odds of getting a blackjack or a double down or split. Of course, it increases your odds of getting two bad hands.

Since I am not known for my math skills or reasoning skills, I thought I ask for other opinions.

[Joe Mama]

EV is the same, variance is lower for 2 hands.

[marriedputter]

I am assuming that the count is still the same after the first hand. If so, playing 2 hands of $25 is not the same as playing 1 hand of $25. The reason is because both hands are tied to the result of the dealer's hand. If you were to place $25 on one table and $25 on another table, then this would be mathematically accurate because the result of your hands are the result of dependency on two different dealer hands. Since you can't do this obviously, you are stuck with playing 2 hands at the same table.
Due to this co-variance with the dealer, you should bet about 73% of what you would bet with one hand. So 1 hand of $25 would be equivalent to 2 hands of $18.25. Of course, this is impractical to bet, so maybe you do two hands of $15, or even better, one hand of $15 and one of $20.

That being said, suddenly going to 2 hands may arouse suspicion, so you would probably be better raising your bet anyway after a win as this more closely resembles ploppy behavior.

[Stealth]

Hi,

I was just wondering, if you wanted to increase your bet one unit, should you double your initial bet or play two hands. For example, if you are playing $25 and win and want to increase your bet, should you let your winning bet ride or play a second hand at $25.

I thought it would be better to play two hands, thus increasing your odds of getting a blackjack or a double down or split. Of course, it increases your odds of getting two bad hands.

Since I am not known for my math skills or reasoning skills, I thought I ask for other opinions.

Playing two hands at the same table brings the math concept of co-variance into play.

Going from one hand of 25 to 2 hands of 25 effectively doubles your EV as would playing one hand of 50.

Two hands of 25 (50 total bet) would have the variance approximately equal to 75% of the variance for playing one hand of 50.

So, you get less variance per dollars bet with two hands. Notwithstanding the heat aspect, I favor two hands as lower variance is a good thing for my bankroll.

[cmckeever]

Thanks to all who replied. I'm going to check around the casinos and see if players play two hands. Maybe I could play two hands at $15.

Again, thanks for the speedy replies.

[bigplayer]

I would not spot spread until later in the count, you wind up doing it too often early in the count and that will raise a red-flag. For example if you're spreading 1x$25 to 2x$400 on shoe games you might play bop randomly between $25 and $50 during your waiting bets, then jump to 1x$150 at +2, 2x$150 at +3 then spread to 2x$300 at +4, 2x$400 at +5.

I'm of the opinion that the most important bet jump and most difficult is where you go from 1x$25 to 1x$150. It is from that triple-double parlay that all future bet jumps depend. After that everything is usually a matter of either a parlay or chipping up and down in black.

[ZeeBabar]

I randomly do such stuff and wonder if there is a downside to it. I start of with one hand one time, start off with two hands at another, if I start with one hand and win, I might just move the win ship to a second hand and if I start of with 2 hands and lose one hand, I might stick with just the one hand (at neutral or negative count) or win both hands, take the win chips away and remain with the original $25 chip and continue 2 hands. Sometimes, I might start of and play 2 hands and if I win both and the count is still neutral or +1, I just might play one hand of $50 instead of two of $25 each. I always ensure that the one or two hands are only of $25 in neutral or slight negative counts.

I play rated and they are used to these moves, think I am a superstitious hunch player.

[Sharky]

... For example if you're spreading 1x$25 to 2x$400 on shoe games you might play bop randomly between $25 and $50 during your waiting bets, then jump to 1x$150 at +2, 2x$150 at +3 then spread to 2x$300 at +4, 2x$400 at +5. ...

love this ramp and spread!!!...nice to see other pros "spread it out"...w/o being accused of a 'slash and burn' player....personally i use min of 40, but prefer 60-80 range

BURN BABY BURN!!!

[Bubbles]

Randomly playing a minimum bet of 50$ as 1x50 or 2x25 will increase variance. It can help "eat cards" or deflect heat later if you spread when the count is high.

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[Jabberwocky]

Randomly playing a minimum bet of 50$ as 1x50 or 2x25 will increase variance. It can help "eat cards" or deflect heat later if you spread when the count is high.

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I was taught playing two boxes reduces variance.

[Bubbles]

The grifters gambit increases variance. This sounded similar. Also 1x50 and 2x25 aren't equal with respect to RoR and stuff. There's the 75% rule. I feel stupid admitting it, but I haven't read enough about covariance.

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[Freightman]

I was taught playing two boxes reduces variance.

Talking more about randomizing a minimum bet than reducing variance.