Reading the deck fast: a two-second cheat sheet
Every card is a position. Here is the whole ladder.
| Card | Deploys | Leverage | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–10 | rank × 5% | 1× | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| J / Q / K | 50% | 6× / 7× / 8× | $30k / $35k / $40k |
| Ace | 50% | 10× | $50,000 |
The books worth playing
- Two aces — the whole book at 10×. Nothing hits harder.
- Two courts, same colour — $60k–$80k pointed one way.
- Court against court, opposite colours — the net is what matters, and it is often small.
- Equal and opposite — a perfectly flat book. You cannot lose the market, so play the player.
The mistake beginners make
They fold flat books. A flat book is a free roll on the betting: you know exactly what your value is at showdown, and everyone else is guessing.