GamingTips

So here’s the blackjack betting strategy that I’ve been using lately, including online, and made quite a bit of cash using.  It is risky, and very aggressive, so if you’re a nervous gambler or sweat the money, it may not be the right strategy for you.

It’s actually a combination of progressive and reverse progressive betting.  Basically, I sit down at the table with $100.  We’ll use the $1 table as an example, since that’s what I was starting at online.

I bet the table minimum ($1).  If I win a hand, I bet progressive.  I go up a little.  Actually, on the first hand, I double my bet (since I don’t like betting change).  If I lose a hand, I double my bet.  So, regardless of the outcome (other than a push), I double my bet after the first hand.  Then, if I win, I go from $2-3.  If I lose I go from $2-4.  I continue to raise in dollar units after winning until I have $10 or more bet, then I go up to $5 chips.  When I get to $50 or more, I go up to $25 increments.  $200 or more, I go up to $100 increments.

 Basically, I keep betting this way (raising a little after a win, doubling after a loss) until the amount that I should be betting is either a) more than I have, or b) more than the table limit.  Most of the time, I wind up losing a little money (between $20-50) in a relatively short period of time.  BUT, because of the reverse progressive, even if you lose a big hand, you can quickly wind up back where you started, and even up.  In fact, a short hot streak using this method definitely makes up for (at least it did for me) the several losing sessions.

Alright.  I thought I might as well mention this just for fun.  Private Craps games can be fun, and really simple to start.  All you need is two flat surfaces, one lying down, and one standing up, two dice, and at least one friend.

You just take turns shooting, and the same basic principals (mostly the pass line and odds) apply.  The main difference here is that there really are no rules to the bets.  In general, the entire game will agree on what odds to pay (particularly on the 6 and 8, which can be tough to pay), but, other than that, you can bet pretty much whatever you want.  This is because your friends are booking the bets, rather than a casino.  The only requirement for a bet is that you can convince somebody to “fade” or take, the bet.  That is, if I want to bet $5 at 30-1 that a 4 will come up, and then a 5, I can do that.  Provided that I find somebody at the table who is willing to “fade” the $150.  Also, you do not have to fade a complete bet.  This is particularly important on odds bets.

 For instance, we come out, and roll a 4.  Knowing that the odds are 2-1, Joe puts $100 down.  I want to lay odds, but really don’t feel like risking $200.  I put down $50.  Now, on of two things can happen.  Someone (or someones) else can fade the remaining $150.  Then the $100 stands complete.  Or Joe can pick up $75.  This now leaves him with a $25 free odds bet on the 4, faded by my $50.

Now, the other interesting thing is that you don’t have to bet the line in order to take or lay odds.  That is, you can make, or fade, a free odds bet without having a pass or don’t pass bet working.

 Finally, the 12 is usually not barred in private games.  What this actually means is that the don’t pass better has a slight advantage on the line bets.

Finally, you will usually notice that in private games, it’s only really the line and odds that get action.  This, again, is mostly due to players being most comfortable booking these bets.  This comes not only from the financial standpoint, but also from the standpoint of tracking money.  It’s fairly easy to keep track of a few pass/don’t pass, and taken/laid odds betts.  In fact, at any given time, the outcome on all of these bets will be the same.  That is, if the dice pass, they are all given to one player, and if the dice don’t pass, they go to the other player.  The simplicity of these bets is what keeps the private dice game working, because remember, there is no layout.