Counting cards does not give you an edge on every hand. It simply tells you when you have the edge. To make money, you must bet small when the house has the edge and big when you have the edge.
This strategy is called a Bet Spread. This calculator estimates your Hourly Win Rate (EV) based on how aggressively you ramp up your bets.
Designing a Winning Spread
In a standard 6-deck game, the True Count (TC) frequency is roughly:
- TC ≤ 1 (House Edge): 85% of the time. You must bet the table minimum to minimize losses.
- TC ≥ 2 (Player Edge): 15% of the time. This is your window of opportunity.
The “1-to-10” Strategy
A common spread is betting 1 unit on low counts and ramping up to 10 units on high counts.
- Min Bet ($10): You lose slowly 85% of the time.
- Max Bet ($100): You win fast 5% of the time (when TC is +4 or higher).
The calculator combines these weighted scenarios to give you a single number: Dollars per Hour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a good bet spread?
For 6-Deck games, a spread of 1-10 or 1-12 is usually required to overcome the house edge and generate a decent hourly rate. In Single Deck games, a smaller spread of 1-4 is often sufficient.
Does a larger spread increase risk?
Yes. Betting $100 instead of $10 drastically increases your Variance (swings). Ensure your bankroll is large enough (usually 500x your Max Bet) to withstand the volatility of a large spread.