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