For the purpose of this article we utilize computer-generated eight-deck game simulations. In this case we set the number of players to four, the total bankroll is set to $10 000 and the risk of ruin is a constant (5%). Wonging and semi-Wonging play styles, unlike single-deck and double-deck games, are included here. As you can see in the tables below, the most commonly found rule combinations for eight-deck games are presented, with the inclusion of late surrender.
What do tables reflect?
The first column of each table shows the true count.
The second column shows the optimum betting ramp for the respective game. In eight-deck games the bet spread used is 1-12 units.
The third column shows the near-optimum bets, or bets which correspond to the optimum bet to the closest whole unit.
The fourth column shows the traditional betting ramp for the respective game.
The fifth column shows the betting ramps for the Wonging style. A player enters a particular game at a true count of +1 for eight-deck games. The player will usually participate in the game only when the true count is at the above mentioned level or higher. He/she will usually exit the game as soon as the true count slips below that level.
The sixth column shows the betting ramps for the semi-Wonging style. By taking advantage of this play style, the player is able to approach a newly shuffled multi-deck game and participate in it as long as the true count is at 0 or higher. When the true count slips below 0, the player will usually exit the game.
Each of the tables listed includes four additional rows, which present valuable information. First, we have the expected value in terms of units for every 100 hands played using one of the three styles of play – the play-all style, Wonging and semi-Wonging. In this case, we have all three of them.
Next, we have the number of units a player needs to bet, so that he/she plays to a risk of ruin of 5% using a bankroll of $10 000.
Below it, we have the unit size required, which is denominated in US dollars.
And the last table row shows the earnings a player could anticipate per 100 hands played when using the unit size in the third table row. This last row may be used for the sake of comparison between different games and betting styles.
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Additional points to note
When it comes to betting amounts, the tables below reflect the precise bet a player needs to make in a particular situation. Note that nobody could place a bet of $6.52 at the table (eight-deck game with S17, DAS, LS and 75% penetration). Thus, in order to use the tables as a betting guide, you need to divide your total bankroll by the number of units presented for every game and every style of betting and round the result to the closest whole unit or even to the closest $5 unit. If you bet strange amounts such as, say $7 or $12.50, it will only slow the dealer down, as he/she determines the payout for blackjacks or insurance.
When it comes to risk of ruin, the dollar amounts in all tables correspond to 5% risk of ruin and a bankroll of $10 000. However, risk of ruin is not a linear category. If the table for a particular game shows that you need to bet 540 units for 5% risk of ruin, reducing the amount to 270 units will not boost that risk to 10%, but in fact, it will be boosted far beyond that level. In order to play to a different risk of ruin level, you can do the following: to reduce the risk of ruin to 1%, you need to multiply the number of units presented in the Risk of Ruin (5%) table row by 1.54. If you choose to play an eight-deck game with S17, DAS, LS and 81% penetration using the near-optimum betting ramp, you need to multiply 1234 by 1.54.
Evaluating Double-deck Games
Evaluating Four-deck Games
Evaluating Six-deck Games
Evaluating Eight-deck Games
Wonging and Semi-Wonging
In this case, you need a total of 1 901 units, so that you could play to a risk of ruin of 1%. If you want to play to a higher risk of ruin, say 10%, you need to divide the number of units presented in the Risk of Ruin (5%) table row by 1.30. Taking into consideration the same game, you need a total of 950 units to do so. If you want to expose your play to an even greater risk of ruin, 15%, you need to divide the number of units presented in the Risk of Ruin (5%) table row by 1.58. Taking into account the game mentioned above, you need a total of 781 units to do so. Such simple calculations can be applied to any of the games presented in the tables.
When it comes to bet spreads, a spread of 1-12 units is given for eight-deck games in the tables below. It is the spread, which would produce at least a decent amount of profit. In case a smaller spread is employed, the profit will be axed to the point that the game will become not worth the effort. A bet spread of 1-4 units or 1-6 units will produce quite a small if any profit in eight-deck games. By employing a much greater bet spread, say 1-16 units, the player has the potential to score higher earnings per hour. However, in doing so, he/she will be exposed to a higher risk and there is also a greater possibility that casino surveillance recognizes him/her as a card counter.
Tables
| Eight-deck game with S17, DAS, 75% penetration (6 out of 8 decks) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | Wonging | Semi-Wonging |
| Lower than 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 3.7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 9.3 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 and higher | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.62 | 1.61 | 0.55 | 1.16 | 0.96 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 2111 | 2114 | 1691 | 671 | 915 |
| Unit Size | $4,74 | $4,73 | $5,91 | $14,90 | $10,93 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $7,68 | $7,62 | $3,25 | $17,28 | $10,49 |
| Eight-deck game with S17, DAS, 81% penetration (6.5 out of 8 decks) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | Wonging | Semi-Wonging |
| Lower than 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 3.1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 7.6 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 and higher | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.95 | 1.97 | 0.92 | 1.58 | 1.38 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 1724 | 1742 | 1302 | 664 | 829 |
| Unit Size | $5,80 | $5,74 | $7,68 | $15,06 | $12,06 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $11,31 | $11,31 | $7,07 | $23,79 | $16,64 |
| Eight-deck game with S17, DAS, 88% penetration (7 out of 8 decks) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | Wonging | Semi-Wonging |
| Lower than 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 2.4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 5.5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 9.3 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 and higher | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.29 | 2.29 | 1.47 | 2.16 | 1.98 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 1300 | 1300 | 1027 | 630 | 734 |
| Unit Size | $7,69 | $7,69 | $9,74 | $15,87 | $13,62 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $17,61 | $17,61 | $14,32 | $34,28 | $26,97 |
| Eight-deck game with S17, DAS, LS, 75% penetration (6 out of 8 decks) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | Wonging | Semi-Wonging |
| Lower than 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 3.7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 8.7 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 and higher | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.03 | 2.06 | 0.77 | 1.36 | 1.19 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 1534 | 1567 | 1137 | 535 | 693 |
| Unit Size | $6,52 | $6,38 | $8,80 | $18,69 | $14,43 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $13,24 | $13,14 | $6,78 | $25,42 | $17,17 |
| Eight-deck game with S17, DAS, LS, 81% penetration (6.5 out of 8 decks) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | Wonging | Semi-Wonging |
| Lower than 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 3.3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 7.3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 and higher | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.41 | 2.37 | 1.22 | 1.85 | 1.69 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 1253 | 1234 | 922 | 530 | 634 |
| Unit Size | $7,98 | $8,10 | $10,85 | $18,87 | $15,77 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $19,23 | $19,20 | $13,24 | $34,91 | $26,25 |
| Eight-deck game with S17, DAS, LS, 88% penetration (7 out of 8 decks) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | Wonging | Semi-Wonging |
| Lower than 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 2.7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 5.8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 and higher | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.85 | 2.88 | 1.84 | 2.5 | 2.35 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 998 | 1010 | 768 | 508 | 577 |
| Unit Size | $10,02 | $9,90 | $13,02 | $19,69 | $17,33 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $28,56 | $28,51 | $23,96 | $49,23 | $40,73 |
In addition to what we noted in the previous article, another moment worth the attention is that Wonging and semi-Wonging play styles have the potential to turn an unplayable game into a good one, while boosting potential earnings. Some experts do not recommend choosing any eight-deck game, unless a player takes advantage of Wonging or semi-Wonging styles. Let us take a look at the eight-deck game offering S17, DAS, LS and 81% level of penetration. A card counter using the play-all style of play in that game could expect a profit of $19.23 for every 100 hands. If he/she uses semi-Wonging in that same game, the potential profit could climb to $26.25 for every 100 hands. If he/she uses the Wonging style, the potential profit could reach $34.91 for every 100 hands. Although these numbers cannot be compared to games with fewer decks, Wonging and semi-Wonging styles improve the expected results.
