Rainbow Betting

[Rec AP]

I have been lurking this forum for years (as well as QFIT, BJ21, WOV etc.), and the consensus seems to not make rainbow bets. I was wondering what BJ players thoughts are on this. I like to make rainbow bets for several reasons:

- I like my bet to always have multiple chips (if you vary from 1 chip to 4 or 5 it is easier for the pit to see your spread at a glance)

- I will say ploppy things like "lucky 7's" as I put out 3 greens and 2 whites on one hand a 2 whites and a red on another. Can help hid large jumps (especially in single and double deck). If the floorman just glances at your table from across the pit, he just sees another random bet with a couple of white on top.

- Dealer errors go up significantly on rainbow bets (this is definitely an angle shot, but I don't mind angle shooting casinos. I won't shoot angles on other players though)

-To accentuate dealer errors I also always change the amount of my bet. Even if the true count remains the same, I will add or subtract a coupe of dollars on every bet. This trains the dealer and pit to be accustomed to you always changing your bet size

- I will rathole red chips. Casinos track blacks (and sometimes even greens), but do not follow small denomination chips, as you may well be giving these out as tips. Every time I get up to go the bathroom (on a neg count obviously), I will transfer a couple of reds to another pocket. You need to be constantly betting reds along with your greens and blacks so the loss of a few reds an hour from your stack is not noticed. I am amazed how often a few reds in your pocket can change a small win to a small loss in the casinos eyes. I do not rathole at the table or larger chips. My second back-off ever was from ratholing, and I promised myself not to get caught at that again.

The main disadvantage to rainbow bets that I see is to the speed of the game. If you are playing heads up in a casino with good rules, low heat and deep penetration, do not waste the dealers time with rainbow bets. Just try and get the money down as fast as you can until the conditions change

Please add your thoughts

[kewlJ]

For me 3 drawbacks to rainbow betting. You mentioned the first in speed. In very general terms speed is money. If you get average 150 rounds an hour, you will make twice as much as if you average 75 rounds an hour. I think that is pretty simple. But there is a less obvious aspect of speed. From the time I raise my bet to Max bet or close to it, I am in race to finish that shoe and exit before my play has drawn unwanted attention. The faster the game moves the better for me at that point. The less time that my play draws attention and any kind of evaluation begins, and even less likely finishes. The absolute most dangerous point for me is sitting there in a slow-moving game with my max bet out for pit/surveillance to notice. THAT is when I am most exposed.

#2. It just draws attention. The pit should hang around just to make sure these odd payouts (which slow the game down) are made correctly. It is literally part of their job.

#3. I play with a chip inventory at most places in my regular rotation. I enter the game with minimum number of my minimum bets in hand to avoid that first interaction with pit. I have more in pocket should need be and can always buy in for cash after that. But my goal is to keep as few chips as possible to provide for a quick exit without coloring up. Rainbow wagering is not going to allow for that. It works just the opposite.

And circling back to #2. Rainbow wagering could identify you as a shot taker in the eyes of the pit. They may even make note of it on your account. You just admitted that is what you are doing. Good pit folks recognize this and are going to keep an eye on you that they otherwise wouldn't. Again, it is just part of their job.

Maybe for a lower limit recreational player, which you indicated you are, it is fine, if that is what you want to do, but for anyone else, higher limit, professional even semi-professional players, way more downside than upside.