You must first know the exact number of decks which are being played. As mentioned in greater detail on the left, YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS SYSTEM IF THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO DECKS being played. You will use the running count calculation, described below, to serve as a betting guide.
THE RUNNING COUNT
Two separate counts are maintained; the total number of "unseen 5’s" and the total number of "unseen cards." First, compute the total number of fives in your game by multiplying the number of decks in use by 4. For each five removed, subtract one from this number. This is your number of "unseen 5’s." As each card is removed, subtract 1 from the total number of cards used from the start of play (which is 52 times the number of decks.)
Let UC = the number of unseen cards, and UF = the number of unseen fives.
WAGERING
The larger the ratio UC/UF, the larger your advantage. When UC/UF < 13, the distribution of 5’s favor the house. When UC/UF > 13, fewer 5’s remain than normal, so the advantage swings in your favor. When UF = 0, the division becomes undefined, and your advantage is 3.6% over the house.
• IF UF = 0, bet up to 3.6% of your entire bank. If 3.6% of your bank is less than the table minimum wager, you are playing with "insufficient funds." That is, you will most likely lose your whole bank before getting into statistical favorable situations where you could wager more and expect to win more. The strategy which calls for betting directly in proportion to your advantage is known as the ‘Kelly Criterion.’
• As long as UC/UF < 13, bet the table minimum wager.
• UC/UF > 13, bet UC/(13 x UF) time the minimum table wager, rounding down when possible.
Example: If UC/UF = 26, bet 2 times the table minimum. IF UC/UF = 39, bet 3 times the table minimum. If your wager ever exceeds 3.6% of your entire bank, you do not have enough money to statistically end up ahead of the house.
