22. Progression Blackjack
Author…………….Donald Dahl
Published………..1993
Publisher…………Citadel Press
As an ex-serious blackjack player, I get very reserved in how I recommend books about progression betting. This is because readers would undoubtedly think that I had either taken leave of my senses or had some ulterior motive. It also devalues my image to say good things about systems that cannot possibly find an edge.
However this book was written in 1993 so it is essentially a pre-Internet era book. In live play for a player who does not know how to card count and has absolutely no intention of trying and lets face it, the chances of any one individual being good enough to not only win but to also get away with it for prolonged periods of time are close to nil…..they have their uses.
In casinos in Vegas where big comps are possible for high level players then it is possible that a progression system could be profitable. The fact is that a progression system cannot make money on the actual table.
However if there are outside financial factors and rewards like free meals, free rooms and heaven knows what else then this can almost offset the house edge. Although it has to be said that a danger in using progression systems is that it could confuse some casinos into thinking that you were a counter.
If you happened to increase your bet coincidentally with positive counts then you could get heat for no reason. In this instance it would be better to flat bet but the thing is that with flat betting…..its boring.
Online casinos offer a new and fascinating dynamic with progression systems. This is because you cannot card count anyway and with sign up bonuses and loyalty bonuses then the player has outside financial input beyond the actual game playing.
Also as I said earlier, progression systems can be very interesting to use and more exciting than flat betting but the bankroll requirements with some systems can be extreme.
RATING………….8/10
See you soon
Carl
