I feel out of my league with this question because it sounds like most here are counters, but I can't think of a bunch of BETTER people to run this by.
I am not a counter but a very good BS player...not perfect, mind you, but very good. (I make several mistakes each session and I am working on perfecting my basic strategy)
Anyway, I believe I found a way to bring the odds against the house in my game to almost even. For myself and other BS players, I believe there is three important areas to get good at in order to win more than you lose. I don't think that perfect basic strategy play, alone, is enough. BUT, if you couple good to perfect play with a sound money management plan and discipline in knowing when to quit...it increases your chances tremendously. Let me explain.
I just got back from Tunica where I spent 7 days playing BJ.(Too much play) The reason I played so much was to test my theory over an extended time frame. I play nickels. (I am a small time player, obviously. But until I am ready to be a counter, I refuse to play anything higher).
In my last four excursions to Vegas and Tunica my results were as follows: Trip 1 won $500, Trip 2 lost $400, Trip 3 won $300, and this last week lost $52.00. (Not bad considering I probably played more hands this last week than my previous 3 trips combined)
My strategy is simple. I have a LOST LIMIT before I sit down at a table. Most of my limits are $50 to $75.00.(I buy-in for $100.00 and NEVER pull anything else out) If I lose that much, I quit and wait for another session. However; if I win, I play until I start losing to my limit again. I have found that I can have 6 to 8 straight losing sessions and then when I get a run of cards, win it all back and sometimes much more! My money management plan is to start at $5 and as I win, I press to $8, $12, $16, $21, $31 and from here press depending on the streak. Once I lose a hand, I revert back to the $5 and start all over.
For a novice, recreational player, I do not take my game seriously enough to count cards. I do not go in a casino to "have a good time" or chat with other players, but I do go in with the attitude of winning. I am serious in that respect.
My question is this. This strategy works for me, but since I only play BJ maybe 1/2 dozen times a year or so, is it worth the trouble to learn counting? Will there be enough games to keep me sharp at it? I kind of feel that since I win more than I lose, now, it may not be worth the effort. Plus, since I play BS, the casino never has to worry about my play, and that is something I don't have to worry about either. Plus, free room and board is icing to the cake!
I would like any and all comments about my play and your thoughts whether or not I should take my game to the next level. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Radar