Bad Bets.

[nutforslots]

I have to say that sometimes I don't win anything because I make bad bets. I double my bet at exactly the wrong moment.

I increase my bet the same way. I can't be sure that it is all because I don't understand when to do it but that it is the luck of the draw.

It always seems that the instant I decide to bet this way is the one time the dealer has his best hand. Luck isn't being a lady here she is mad at me for some reason I think. LOL

Any thoughts on this subject? Is it me or is it luck of the draw?

[VegasLuvsMe]

This sounds like blackjack, or it could be poker too.

Whichever game it is, play for ten or fifteen minutes before making raises or doubling the bet. Pay attention to how the cards are coming out before you raise or double-down.

Once you get a feel for a pattern in the cards, when you win a hand and when you loose, then you can make the raises and double bets when you think the time is right.

[winbig]

Originally Posted by nutforslots

I have to say that sometimes I don't win anything because I make bad bets. I double my bet at exactly the wrong moment.

I increase my bet the same way. I can't be sure that it is all because I don't understand when to do it but that it is the luck of the draw.

I'm an expert in this field. I've turned a $100-$300 bankroll into thousands a number of times. The key, as you mentioned, is timing. I'd love to say that I do this all the time, but you need to keep in mind that with a super-aggressive playing style, it's very easy to go bust.

A lot of people think that when they're losing, they should increase their bet. Contrary to popular belief, this is what they should not be doing. I'll always sit at at $10-$15 table, because the maximum bet for those is usually $500 at most, and I'd rarely throw that in the middle unless I'm up several thousands of dollars, and even then only if the cards are hot, hot, hot.

Then when the cards go south, instead of getting up from the table, you can go back to playing at the table minimum and try to ride it out. Of course, if they don't get any better, then it's time to get up and find another table.

I'll always start playing at the table minimum, and once the cards get to running good for me, I'll start pressing my bets, because from what I've noticed over the years, if the cards are running good, they will stay that way for awhile. Don't bother with trying to raise your bet sizes if you're losing every other hand, or 'holding your own.' You'll lose more money in the long run if you do.

The amount I raise my bets is entirely based on how much I was betting in the previous hand. Say I had $25 out there and won....I would put $15 back in my stack, and bet $35 the next hand, and so on. On one of my most recent trips a few months ago (AC, not Vegas,) I ended up in the high limit room, playing $100 min/hand, and when the cards were going great, I started playing $200 a hand and after each win I would add another $100 chip to my bet. Before I ended that run, I was at the $800 mark.

Just remember that this strategy comes with major swings, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Also, leave yourself an exit plan. Set a ceiling for the maximum amount that, once you reach, you will pull your entire bet back and start over again playing at the table minimum. When determining this 'ceiling', my rule of thumb is to be prepared to put 3, or even 4 units on one hand at any given time, if given the opportunity to. If you're playing over your head, you're going to miss out on a bunch of doubles and/or splits if you're not comfortable with how much you've got in the middle.

[VegasLuvsMe]

Thanks winbig. A lot of important information here for the blackjack players.

Take notes and give it a try.

I'll try to keep this in mind for my next blackjack playing adventure.

I do remember, just like you had mentioned, that the cards seem to work in about three ways;
1) You aren't getting any play out of cards; get up and move to a different table or change seats if you can.
2) You are getting play, but on every other hand; Raise on the winning hands and drop your bet on the next.
3) You have a streak where most of your hands are hitting; Do like winbig mentioned, put half of your wins back to your chip stack and keep the rest out front for your next bet. But make sure when you start loosing to go back to the minimum bet.

I hope this is a close analogy; winbig?

[winbig]

Originally Posted by VegasLuvsMe

Thanks winbig. A lot of important information here for the blackjack players.

Take notes and give it a try.

I'll try to keep this in mind for my next blackjack playing adventure.

I do remember, just like you had mentioned, that the cards seem to work in about three ways;
1) You aren't getting any play out of cards; get up and move to a different table or change seats if you can.
2) You are getting play, but on every other hand; Raise on the winning hands and drop your bet on the next.
3) You have a streak where most of your hands are hitting; Do like winbig mentioned, put half of your wins back to your chip stack and keep the rest out front for your next bet. But make sure when you start loosing to go back to the minimum bet.

I hope this is a close analogy; winbig?

1) Yes, and no....I rarely move seats...the only time I'd really move seats is to take over at 3rd base (to the left of the dealer) if it's empty. This is the most important seat at the table, and if an inexperienced player sits down, it could be the death of the table.

2) I'm a firm believer in the streakiness of blackjack. As I had mentioned above, if the cards aren't running too good one way or the other, then just flatbet every hand at table minimum until they're running good for you..

3) Exactly.