Optimal Betting Spread

A betting spread is the range between your minimum and maximum bets based on the count. A typical spread might be 1-8 units (betting 1 unit at negative/neutral counts and up to 8 units at high counts).

The Kelly Criterion is the mathematically optimal bet sizing formula. It says you should bet a fraction of your bankroll equal to your edge divided by the variance. In practice, most counters use a fraction of Kelly (half or quarter) to reduce risk.

A common approach: Bet 1 unit at true count 0 or below. At TC +1, bet 2 units. At TC +2, bet 4 units. At TC +3, bet 6 units. At TC +4 or higher, bet 8 units. This is a 1-8 spread.

The wider your spread, the more money you make per hour, but also the more obvious it is to casino surveillance. A 1-4 spread is stealthier but less profitable. A 1-12 spread is very profitable but almost impossible to use without getting backed off.

Bankroll requirements depend on your spread. For a 1-8 spread, you typically need 200-400 max bet units as a bankroll to have less than 5% risk of ruin.

Other techniques to disguise your spread: 'Wonging' (only entering the shoe at positive counts), using cover bets, and spreading to multiple hands at high counts instead of just increasing your single bet.