You cannot practically use opposition betting tactics in one or two-deck games. In my experience, all too often the count changed too radically or the dealer shuffled when I made my camouflage bet. In games of four or more decks, opposition betting takes advantage of a factor that would ordinarily make counting ineffective—the slow volatility of the edge—and players with big enough bankrolls to play house limits will often find multi-deck games more profitable than single-deck games.

One drawback to opposition betting is that you'll suffer big bankroll fluctuations. It takes a healthy bankroll to use any large spread because of the size of your high bets, and you cannot use opposition betting tactics with a small spread. Your camouflage bets will nullify profit potential.

Many players use the terms "hot" or "cold" shoe. Too often, players misuse these slang terms because they don't understand how counting works.

for his opponent to be off balance. The opponent is confident during the master's waiting period because the master's false attacks are so impotent. When the opponent loses his balance, as he will, even his perspective is unstable. He does not see the master's actual attack.
And isn't this how a pool hustler works? And a professional poker player? And a chess master? Card counting is a science. Beating the casinos at blackjack is an art.

• Blackjack – Opposition Betting 5 (0)
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