For the purpose of this article we utilize computer-generated single-deck game simulations. In this case we set the number of players to two, the total bankroll is set to $10 000 and the risk of ruin is a constant (5%). Wonging and semi-Wonging play styles are not included here, as they usually draw too much undesired attention in single-deck and double-deck games. As you can see in the tables below, the most commonly found rule combinations for single-deck games are presented, with the exception of surrender, as the latter practically does not exist in these games.
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 single-deck games the bet spread used is 1-4 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.
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 the play-all style only.
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.
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 $11.17 at the table (single-deck game with H17, D10 and 50% penetration level). 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 $11 or $12.50, it will only slow the dealer down, as he/she determines the payout for blackjacks or insurance.
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When it comes to risk or ruin, as we noted, 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 a single-deck game with S17, DAS and 50% penetration level using the near-optimum betting ramp, you need to multiply 425 by 1.54. In this case, you need a total of 655 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 327 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 269 units to do so. Such simple calculations can be applied to any of the games presented in the tables.
Evaluating Double-deck Games
Evaluating Four-deck Games
Evaluating Six-deck Games
Evaluating Eight-deck Games
Wonging and Semi-Wonging
When it comes to bet spreads, a spread of 1-4 units is given for single-deck games in the tables below. It is the spread, which would generate the largest profit for the player without immediate notice from the casino surveillance. In the majority of single-deck games the player is able to earn by using a spread as low as 1-2 units. Larger spreads would generate quite decent profits in these games, but it is also quite possible for the player to draw undesired attention to his/her play.
Tables
| Single-deck game with H17, D10, 50% penetration (26 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.9 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 0.85 | 0.86 | 0.86 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 895 | 891 | 891 |
| Unit Size | $11,17 | $11,22 | $11,22 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $9,50 | $9,65 | $9,65 |
| Single-deck game with H17, D10, 60% penetration (31 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 3.2 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.45 | 1.43 | 1.55 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 526 | 518 | 569 |
| Unit Size | $19,01 | $19,31 | $17,57 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $27,56 | $27,61 | $24,23 |
| Single-deck game with H17, D10, 67% penetration (35 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.9 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.72 | 1.73 | 1.85 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 451 | 453 | 497 |
| Unit Size | $22,17 | $22,08 | $20,12 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $38,13 | $38,20 | $37,22 |
| Single-deck game with H17, D10, 75% penetration (39 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.2 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | 3.9 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.27 | 2.26 | 2.46 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 344 | 345 | 395 |
| Unit Size | $29,07 | $28,99 | $25,32 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $65,99 | $65,52 | $62,99 |
| Single-deck game with H17, 50% penetration (26 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2.2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.44 | 1.42 | 1.42 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 582 | 582 | 582 |
| Unit Size | $17,18 | $17,18 | $17,18 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $24,74 | $24,40 | $24,40 |
| Single-deck game with H17, 60% penetration (31 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.05 | 2.07 | 2.2 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 396 | 403 | 431 |
| Unit Size | $25,25 | $24,81 | $23,20 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $51,76 | $51,36 | $51,04 |
| Single-deck game with H17, 67% penetration (35 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.9 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 357 | 358 | 392 |
| Unit Size | $28,01 | $27,93 | $25,51 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $65,83 | $65,64 | $64,29 |
| Single-deck game with H17, 75% penetration (39 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | 3.7 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.89 | 2.9 | 3.18 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 285 | 288 | 328 |
| Unit Size | $35,09 | $34,72 | $30,49 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $101,40 | $100,69 | $96,95 |
| Single-deck game with H17, DAS, 50% penetration (26 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2.2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.69 | 1.68 | 1.68 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 487 | 482 | 482 |
| Unit Size | $20,53 | $20,75 | $20,75 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $34,70 | $34,85 | $34,85 |
| Single-deck game with H17, DAS, 60% penetration (31 out of 52 cards) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp | |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1 | 1.6 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.31 | 2.33 | 2.47 | |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 361 | 366 | 392 | |
| Unit Size | $27,70 | $27,32 | $26,51 | |
| Profit per 100 hands | $63,99 | $63,66 | $63,01 | |
| Single-deck game with H17, DAS, 67% penetration (35 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.9 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.62 | 2.66 | 2.80 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 329 | 336 | 360 |
| Unit Size | $30.40 | $29.76 | $27.78 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $79.64 | $79.17 | $77.78 |
| Single-deck game with H17, DAS, 75% penetration (39 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | 3.6 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.47 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 265 | 269 | 306 |
| Unit Size | $37.44 | $37.17 | $32.68 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $118.11 | $117.47 | $113.40 |
| Single-deck game with S17, 50% penetration (26 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2.2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.74 | 1.73 | 1.73 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 481 | 477 | 477 |
| Unit Size | $20.79 | $20.96 | $20.96 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $36.17 | $36.27 | $36.27 |
| Single-deck game with S17, 60% penetration (31 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.35 | 2.37 | 2.51 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 347 | 351 | 377 |
| Unit Size | $28.82 | $28.49 | $26.53 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $67.72 | $67.52 | $66.58 |
| Single-deck game with S17, 67% penetration (35 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.9 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.65 | 2.70 | 2.85 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 315 | 324 | 346 |
| Unit Size | $31.75 | $30.86 | $28.90 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $84.14 | $83.33 | $82.37 |
| Single-deck game with S17, 75% penetration (39 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | 3.6 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 3.14 | 3.19 | 3.50 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 256 | 261 | 297 |
| Unit Size | $39.06 | $38.31 | $33.67 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $122.66 | $122.22 | $117.85 |
| Single-deck game with S17, DAS, 50% penetration (26 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2.2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 3.8 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 1.97 | 1.98 | 1.98 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 422 | 425 | 425 |
| Unit Size | $23.70 | $23.53 | $23.53 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $46.68 | $46.59 | $46.59 |
| Single-deck game with S17, DAS, 60% penetration (31 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.59 | 2.63 | 2.78 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 319 | 323 | 347 |
| Unit Size | $31.35 | $30.96 | $28.82 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $81.19 | $81.42 | $80.12 |
| Single-deck game with S17, DAS, 67% penetration (35 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.8 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 2.91 | 2.97 | 3.13 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 294 | 300 | 321 |
| Unit Size | $34.01 | $33.33 | $31.15 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $98.97 | $98.99 | $97.50 |
| Single-deck game with S17, DAS, 75% penetration (39 out of 52 cards) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| True Count | Optimum Betting Ramp | Near-Optimum Betting Ramp | Traditional Betting Ramp |
| Lesser or equal to 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1.2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2.3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | 3.4 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 or higher | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Expected Value per 100 hands | 3.38 | 3.29 | 3.78 |
| Risk of Ruin (5%) | 240 | 237 | 281 |
| Unit Size | $41.67 | $42.19 | $35.59 |
| Profit per 100 hands | $140.84 | $138.81 | $134.53 |
The vigilant player will undeniably notice the value of the rules, presented in the tables above. Anyone who uses the play-all style of play will see a huge difference between games with S17 and games with H17. A single-deck game with H17 and 60% penetration level (31 out of 52 cards) could potentially earn $51.36 per 100 hands, while a single-deck game with S17 and 60% penetration could potentially generate $67.52 per 100 hands.
