Starting Bankroll

[cmckeever]

Hi,

Just wondering what a good starting bankroll would be. At the casino nearest me the minimum table is $15.

[Freightman]

Hi,

Just wondering what a good starting bankroll would be. At the casino nearest me the minimum table is $15.

A better answer can be given if certain cap variables are known. These include dd or 6d, rules, deck pen. You're probably a new player, so, regardless of variables, you're probably going to play to an insufficient bank. There are ways to handle that also. Provide details and we can give you a better answer.

[bj88]

150 to 200 big bets should be a decent bankroll. read blackjack attack 3 by don for more info.

[ZeeBabar]

If it's DD games with $15 minimum and you go with a 1-6 spread, then your max bet is $90. 100 max bets mean $9000 BR

if it's a 6 deck game, you probably need a 1-10 spread so your max bet is $150. 100 max bets mean $15000.

However, other considerations need to be factored in, Do you have another full time job, because that means that you don't become homeless if you lost your BR and you can start saving again for another shot at BJ. In such cases, you could go to a casino with $1500, play a wonging style where you only play positive hands and with a bit of luck, keep winning. Jump into a game when the TC is plus 2, jump out when it gets to TC plus 1, etc.

[Freightman]

If it's DD games with $15 minimum and you go with a 1-6 spread, then your max bet is $90. 100 max bets mean $9000 BR

if it's a 6 deck game, you probably need a 1-10 spread so your max bet is $150. 100 max bets mean $15000.

However, other considerations need to be factored in, Do you have another full time job, because that means that you don't become homeless if you lost your BR and you can start saving again for another shot at BJ. In such cases, you could go to a casino with $1500, play a wonging style where you only play positive hands and with a bit of luck, keep winning. Jump into a game when the TC is plus 2, jump out when it gets to TC plus 1, etc.

Zee
You're ignoring the effect if rules and deck pen on variance p, which affect bankroll requirements.
Also, logically the fellow has an outside job if he us limited to a 15 k bankroll, etc.

[BJGenius007]

Hi,

Just wondering what a good starting bankroll would be. At the casino nearest me the minimum table is $15.

Shoe game players should have $15000. DD players should have $7500 BR.

[cmckeever]

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess the $15,000 is what I should have. Yes, I am a beginner at blackjack (not casinos). It is an eight deck shoe with about 75% penetration.

I'm not sure about the 1 - 6 spread. I was reading BlackJack Secrets by Wong (1998). On page 72 he writes "You can win handsomely with an identical bet on every hand you play." Not being the brightest bulb in the room, I don't think I can get away with varying my bets. But I guess that is a question for another thread.

[Freightman]

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess the $15,000 is what I should have. Yes, I am a beginner at blackjack (not casinos). It is an eight deck shoe with about 75% penetration.

I'm not sure about the 1 - 6 spread. I was reading BlackJack Secrets by Wong (1998). On page 72 he writes "You can win handsomely with an identical bet on every hand you play." Not being the brightest bulb in the room, I don't think I can get away with varying my bets. But I guess that is a question for another thread.

Wong was likely referring to wonging.

[Three]

When you start thinking about BR think worst case downswing and have at least double that so you still have a BR to use after the worst case downswing. I would want at least $20K for playing around my area. All shoe games and $15 minimum on most but $10 is not uncommon if you can play at dead times.

[stopgambling]

When you start thinking about BR think worst case downswing and have at least double that so you still have a BR to use after the worst case downswing. I would want at least $20K for playing around my area. All shoe games and $15 minimum on most but $10 is not uncommon if you can play at dead times.

Good advice,most players overestimate their edge,their abilities and underestimate cost of cover, errors .

[kerstintimonen]

When you start thinking about BR think worst case downswing and have at least double that so you still have a BR to use after the worst case downswing. I would want at least $20K for playing around my area. All shoe games and $15 minimum on most but $10 is not uncommon if you can play at dead times.

YEP. Good advice.

[RS]

NOTE: The "required BR" is the amount you'll need for a low risk of ruin. If you have a job (I assume you do) or have some way to save extra money, or you're not (yet) interested in being a pro card counter (ie: primary income is through card counting), then you won't need such a large bankroll.


An 8 deck game with 75% penetration is going to be pretty tough to beat and you'll be getting few (relative to 85% 6D and 75% DD games) advantage counts. If you're just getting into counting, this is probably not a good game to start off with. You'll need a much larger spread to beat the game and make it at least somewhat worthwhile. A 1-6 spread won't cut it. There'll be massive variance compared to your advantage. I'm not sure about a 1-10 spread, but I don't think that'd be too good either.

[ZeeBabar]

I suppose if you stuck around, only placing a $15 or $20 bet at True Counts of +2 or higher, even just flat betting, the odds are that you will succeed as you are betting only when the odds are in your favor. You won't become rich but your BR will grow, you will learn discipline (if you can resist leaving a bet out there at lower than +2 True Count), learn to count in a casino environment with distractions.