Question about a bankroll of 700 dollars

people surely go to gamble and play blackjack and do not have a 10,000 dollar bankroll so they cant play min of 10 to max of 100...my question is if i only have a bankroll of 700..its still benefical to count cards and know when to bet and higher amounts but the risk of ruin is just tremdenously higher right? I mean i may not have a bankroll of 10k for 6-7 years lol. Should I just lower my spreads...cuz i would hate to leave the game of blackjack but unforutanly realize my risk of ruin is SKKKKKY HIGH.

If I were you I'd forget the concept of bankroll completely and just keep good win/loss records. You'll come out ahead over time. Come up with some plan where you contribute to your playing fund on a regular basis. It will frequently go broke and you'll have to wait for it to build up again before you can play any more. Don't spend any money that you might win and continue to make weekly or monthly contributions to your bank even when you are winning. Do not increase your bet sizes until you really do have a bankroll of something like 100 max bets. $700 is not a bankroll. It is just your first contribution to something that may someday grow into a bankroll. Go with Stanford Wong's definition. Your bankroll is the amount you will allow yourself to lose before you give up the game for life. If that amount is $700 then I suggest you find a new hobby.

Hello mikey

I wouldn't worry about it. I first started on my own with a $2000 bankroll and just adjusted my betting accordingly in line with the true count.

I agree with the above comments with only this to add. Try to play single deck with a 3:2 BJ payout. Spread between $5 and $40. This should keep you in the game without too astronomical a risk of ruin. It will give you good practice and not generate too much heat from the pit.

If you only have shoe games in your area, backcount and join in only when counts are positive. This too will give you good experience.

When I go to Vegas for three or four days, I take about 10% of my actual bankroll with me as what I refer to as a trip (multi session) bankroll. It is the amount of my bankroll that I am confortable loosing if I have a horrid trip but not the amount that would wipe me out. Perhaps a personal thing.
If $700 is just a session bankroll and you have other money or a job from which funds can be steadily added to your bankroll, then your bankroll may be larger than you stated.
Low limit, one or double deck games, and wonging in and out of shoes as stated before are your best strategies for winning and surviving.

I myself wouldn't recommend someone to backcount in Las Vegas. It is something that is old and casinos watch for it here now. The amount of money your betting is probably a consideration. Some will don't care at smaller stakes and each will have its own rules.

I would say learn the number matrix both minus and plus numbers and just play like a a normal person on vacation or a weekend visit to Vegas. Use a 1-8 spread with cover bets here and there and you should have no problem.

Wong may have originally coined the thought, but earlier this year you put me on to the concept of the lifetime bank and it is (was) liberating.

What you told "mickey C" is refreshing to hear. The truth generally is. I get really tired of wannabe math geeks who would endeavour to box this guys $700 BR into 100 max bets/sessions BRs/etc.

Your post above is, as always, excellent advice and steeped in reality.

No matter your age or station in life, I am convinced that everyone has a lifetime bank. I also believe that everytime "BR" is mentioned .. at least in places where new timers are listening .. the concept of lifetime bank should be mentioned as well.

Truth be told, if 100 max bets is the bar, you need $6,000 just to work the $5 minimum tables.

With anything less, your ROR is starting to climb fast and your beginning to move from advantage play to the dark edge of gambling anyway. So be reasonable, be honest with yourself, calc your lifetime bank, and start in after them.

As I mentioned before, I would advise investing in CVBJ for those downtimes
between BR building that you might have to endure. :)

Thanks again for providing good sound advice.