To get the odds on your side (yes it is actually possible) you must learn the art of card counting. If you know the ratio of good versus bad cards left in the shoe you can beat the casino at their own game. In Blackjack Strategy and Card Counting 101 I give an introduction to these two concepts. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge of basic strategy or card counting but you do need to know how the game is played. Counting Calories 101: How to Count Calories to Lose Weight. Written by Helen West, RD on June 7, 2016. To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn. (3 oz): a deck of cards.
So, you have decided to try your hand at mastering card counting – one of the most popular money-making strategies for professional gamblers ever crafted for a casino game. Does it work? Is it worth it? The answer to both those questions is a resounding yes, but it’s far from an easy way to make money.
To become successful at card counting, you must practice the ability to memorize large amounts of numbers at a time and countdown a deck with great speed, all the while looking like your average joe player having some casual fun at the Blackjack table. Moreover, the amount of variance in Blackjack means that card counting can prove a fruitful method only in the long run, after hundreds of hours of play.
With that in mind, let’s begin.
Hi-Lo
Initially introduced in the distant 1963, the Hi-Lo card counting is the most efficient and naturally most difficult method out there. However, don’t let this strike fear into your heart, as the difficult part lies in dedicating yourself to practice and memorization for a longer period of time, not having to tinker with advanced mathematics.
The strategy itself is simple to grasp. The basic concept of Hi-Lo card counting is increasing your bet when the true count (more on that later) is high, and decreasing it when it is low. Worry not, we will guide you right through it!
To begin with, we must assign value to each card. Cards 2,3,4,5 and 6 have a value of “+1”, whereas cards 10 through A are valued as “-1”. Casino island game. 7, 8 and 9 are neutral cards with a value of “0”.
Cards | Value |
---|---|
2,3,4,5,6 | +1 |
10, J, Q, K, A | -1 |
7, 8, 9 | 0 |
Bovegas bonus codes. These values are fixed and serve as the backbone to the Hi-Lo card counting method. They will help us determine something called the “running count.” This is easy, we just combine and subtract the values of the cards that have been dealt so far.
For example: If the cards dealt so far have been 10, 2, 5, 9, Q and K, the running count would be -1.
10 (-1) + 2 (+1) + 5 (+1) + 9 (0) + Q (-1) + K (-1) = -1
One of the most delicate parts of Hi-Lo card counting is that you must always know the running count, and there are no shortcuts to success here – practice makes perfect. Remember that you must maintain knowledge of the running count based on ALL visible cards, including the dealer’s.
Next, we must determine the “true count.” To do this, we divide the running count to the number of decks that are still in the game.
Example: If the running count is +4, and the number of decks remaining is 2, the true count is then 2.
Of course, it’s impossible to know the exact number of decks left in-game just by looking at the pile of cards still left, but a rough estimation will suffice. If there are about 120 cards left, rounding it up to 2 decks is fine. You will get a much better feel for this over time.
Finally, what remains is for you to follow through with the basic premise of all card counting systems, which is increasing your bet while the true count is high, and vice-versa. How much exactly to bet and exactly at which count will depend on you – the player.
Many casinos nowadays have software trying to prevent card counting that knows all the things you do about it, so being a little unpredictable can go a long way to your long-term success. This is why it is also highly recommended you vary up your bet sizes but always stick to a predetermined minimum and maximum bet.
That is all as far as Hi-Lo card counting is concerned. As you can see, the strategy itself is simple to understand, but make no mistake – it’s far from simple to implement. Theory and practice are completely different beasts here.
Keeping score of the true count while attempting to avoid suspicion in a real-life environment packed with pressure can be quite a challenge. This is why we recommending you start your card counting ventures by mastering the Knock Out system, explained below.
KO (Knock Out)
The KO is a much more beginner-friendly variant of Hi-Lo card counting. The basics of the KO are similar to the Hi-Lo method, with only a few changes that remove the need of keeping a true count, simplifying the system by a great deal. You can still keep track of the true count in the KO without compromising the system’s accuracy, but in that case why not use the Hi-Lo card counting method, to begin with.
The card values in the KO are very similar, but this time we value the 7 as a +1.
Cards | Value |
---|---|
2,3,4,5,6,7 | +1 |
10, J, Q, K, A | -1 |
8, 9 | 0 |
One more important difference in the KO system is that the running count does not start with 0. Instead, you will have to calculate it by taking the number of decks in play, multiplying that number by -4, then subtracting 4 from that amount.
Card Counting 101
A game with 8 decks will have an initial running count of -28. (8 x -4) -4 = -28. Don’t forget that crucial minus, otherwise, you’d be going all in on the first round.
The cost of the Knock Out’s simplicity is in its efficiency. Simply put, it’s not as accurate as Hi-Lo card counting, but it’s still good enough to start with.
Ridiculously Easy Knock Out (REKO)
Indeed, it gets even easier than the KO, but the REKO is not necessarily worse in terms of efficiency.
The REKO determines the initial running count by multiplying the number of decks by -2. In an 8-deck game, the initial running count would be -16. (8 x -2) = -16. All card values remain the same as in the KO.
The most interesting aspect about the REKO is that instead of it being simply a less accurate version of the KO, its accuracy only dwindles as the number of decks decreases. Because of the way the initial running count is calculated, REKO is a strategy which is more accurate the higher number of decks in-game. This makes it useful even to masters of the Hi-Lo card counting method.
Ace to Five Count
The Ace to Five count was devised to work best on tables with 4 to 8 decks, and it is without a doubt the easiest card counting method in existence. At least, the easiest method that is actually profitable. It also has the added benefit of greatly minimizing your risk of looking suspicious, since you are only paying attention to the A and 5’s.
However, it is detrimental that you establish your minimum and maximum bets, just make sure those numbers are a power of 2. As for the initial running count, it is always 0.
This is how the Ace to Five works:
- At the beginning of each deck shoe, bet your minimum. Each 5 that you spot will add a +1 to your count, whereas each A takes -1 from your count.
- If the running count is equal or greater than 2, you should double your last bet. Doubling your last bet should be capped in accordance with your maximum bet. This is why it is important to determine it beforehand.
- If the running count is equal or less than 1, bet the minimum.
Here are more game rules which make the Ace to Five even more beneficial to you.
- Blackjack pays 3:2 (always a must)
- Dealer stands on soft 18
- Double after splitting is allowed
- Re-splitting aces is allowed
![Card Counting 101 Card Counting 101](https://www.thebalance.com/thmb/nm8rdIjkFGEChzaKcL-26MXKgdw=/3645x2735/filters:fill(auto,1)/teller-counting-money-in-drive-threw-bank-window-200245558-001-56f99e2d3df78c784193c6a1.jpg)
A higher betting spread will yield higher return using this method, but even with a low spread, you can expect a 0.30% advantage coming your way in the long run. Assuming you are doing everything correctly, that is.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
If you feel you are ready to take on the challenge of card counting and making a long-term profit off of it, do remember that you must know how to play blackjack and knowledge of basic strategy. It is a set of rules which point to the best play in every possible scenario, hence its importance.
Learning basic strategy has to do more with memorization rather than practice, but keeping full knowledge of basic strategy is a great helping hand regardless if you are trying to count cards or not. Even seasoned veterans of the game will play out most of their bets based on basic strategy, so it’s a no-brainer that a beginner should do the same.
![Card Counting 101 Card Counting 101](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/223310939247-0-1/s-l1000.jpg)
Welcome to black jack card counting 101. If you’re interested in learning how to count cards to gain a real edge in the game of blackjack, this is a great place to start.
Unfortunately, card counting is not a skill that you can pick up with a secret handshake or a cheat sheet. Counting cards is difficult, and learning how to do it well will require patience, determination, and lots of practice. The key is to reach a level where counting cards is no longer just a novel trick but an ingrained instinct – and that takes time.
Luckily the training process can be fun, especially if you enjoy playing blackjack (online). Once you’ve mastered even the most basic card counting techniques, you’ll be part of an elite group of blackjack champs who will forever be one step ahead of the competition.
Card Counting Step by Step
Card Counting 21
This guide is meant for absolute beginners. If you’re already a blackjack champ, you can skip to Step IV.
I. Learn the rules
First thing’s first! Read up on the blackjack rules. It’s no use being a counting whiz if have not yet mastered the basics of the game. Blackjack comes in a rainbow of game variations so make sure you know what style you intend to be playing. (Hint: novelty, online and tournament variations are not suited to card counting.)
First thing’s first! Read up on the blackjack rules. It’s no use being a counting whiz if have not yet mastered the basics of the game. Blackjack comes in a rainbow of game variations so make sure you know what style you intend to be playing. (Hint: novelty, online and tournament variations are not suited to card counting.)
II. Master basic strategy
Once you know the basics, it’s time to learn more. Our blackjack strategy guides are a great place to start. Required time for memorization: 20-30 hours.
Once you know the basics, it’s time to learn more. Our blackjack strategy guides are a great place to start. Required time for memorization: 20-30 hours.
III. Playing and practicing
Now it’s time to play as much blackjack as you can. A good place to start is with these online blackjack games free. After a while you will begin to notice common card combinations, and you will start to understand how to react to each one. You should expect to spend another 20 hours or more on this step. It’s important to have as much experience playing with basic strategy as you can get.
Now it’s time to play as much blackjack as you can. A good place to start is with these online blackjack games free. After a while you will begin to notice common card combinations, and you will start to understand how to react to each one. You should expect to spend another 20 hours or more on this step. It’s important to have as much experience playing with basic strategy as you can get.
IV. Learning the card values of a counting system
By now, playing blackjack should be easy, and you should know instinctively how to react to any situation. It’s time to start counting cards!
By now, playing blackjack should be easy, and you should know instinctively how to react to any situation. It’s time to start counting cards!
Blackjack Card Counting 101
First you must decide which system you want to learn. In general the two systems most often recommended for beginners are the Knock-Out KO Count or the Hi-Lo Count. The primary difference between these two is that the KO count does not require a conversion to the true count and saves an extra step by sacrificing a little accuracy.
The first step towards counting cards once you’ve chosen a system is memorizing the relative value of each card in the deck, and learning to count down a deck. Since we have recommended the Hi-Lo count we’ll base our examples on that system.
Count +1 |
Count 0 |
Count -1 |
In the High-Low card count there is only 1 level of value, so cards are counted as +1, 0, or -1. All 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 cards have a value of 1. 7, 8, and 9 have a value of 0. 10, J, K, Q cards all have a value of -1. Some counters will advise you to learn not to notice that 7, 8, and 9 cards exist at all to minimize the number of things that you must pay attention to.
IV. Counting down the deck
Once you remember these numbers, try counting down the deck. Do this by dealing cards one at a time, and mentally count all the cards until you have gone through all of them. If you have counted correctly you should wind up with zero, because the Hi-Lo count is a balanced card counting system. Practice counting down the deck until you can quickly and accurately count through the deck to a zero count with no cards remaining.
Once you remember these numbers, try counting down the deck. Do this by dealing cards one at a time, and mentally count all the cards until you have gone through all of them. If you have counted correctly you should wind up with zero, because the Hi-Lo count is a balanced card counting system. Practice counting down the deck until you can quickly and accurately count through the deck to a zero count with no cards remaining.
When you’re actually playing blackjack, keeping track of the cards in this way is known as keeping a “running count” of the game.
The time required to learn how to keep a running count of a single deck is approximately 30 hours.
VI. Converting to the true count
When you can count through a single deck, it’s time to learn how to apply it to a multi-deck shoe. This involves converting the running count, which you calculated above, into a true count.
When you can count through a single deck, it’s time to learn how to apply it to a multi-deck shoe. This involves converting the running count, which you calculated above, into a true count.
True count takes into consideration the number of decks being used, as well the number of decks still to be dealt. It is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks still in the shoe.
Blackjack Card Counting 101
The reason we need to do this when playing with more than one deck is because the same running count can mean different things depending on how far along the game is. For example, a running count of +10 is much better if there are 2 decks remaining as opposed to a shoe with 5 decks remaining.
Let’s look at an example. If you have a four deck game with a running count of +6 you have to look at the discard tray to calculate how many decks are remaining. In this case we’ll estimate that 3 decks remain so that the true count is then +2.
Eventually you will run into the problem of dividing with fractions or numbers with decimals and you will learn to handle these calculations smoothly as you switch between the running and true count.
This is usually the step that takes the longest to master at a conservative 60 hours.
VII. Distraction training
Counting cards while dealing out of a deck at home is one thing. Sitting in a crowded, noisy casino and trying to keep a true count of an 8 deck shoe is completely different. The last and most difficult step in learning to count cards is learning to do it in a distracting environment.
Counting cards while dealing out of a deck at home is one thing. Sitting in a crowded, noisy casino and trying to keep a true count of an 8 deck shoe is completely different. The last and most difficult step in learning to count cards is learning to do it in a distracting environment.
Start small. While counting at home, add background music. When that fails to throw you off, add something like a loud television and a roommate or spouse. The best practice session would be at a loud party or a rambunctious family reunion. Of course you’ll want to make sure that this new skill doesn’t prevent you from also enjoying other people and activities going on!
When you can keep track of a deck and hold a conversation with someone while there are all sorts of noises going on in the background, then you’re ready to take your new skills to the casino. Estimated time for mastery is generally around 25 hours.
If you’ve paid attention to the time estimates for each step, you are looking at about 165 hours of training. The exact number will depend on you, and on how determined you are to come out ahead. Learning to count cards in blackjack is a big undertaking, but trust us when we say that it’s a very rewarding experience!
Card Counting Tips
Before you dive in and start learning, here are a few tips you should know.
Be subtle
Counting cards is not against the law, but casinos don’t like it, and you can get thrown out if you’re caught. The biggest mistakes beginners make is not being subtle. If the dealer sees you muttering under your breath, or constantly checking the discard pile as you try to calculate the true count of the game, he will get suspicious. Learn to act casual, and practice counting until you can do it instinctively.
Counting cards is not against the law, but casinos don’t like it, and you can get thrown out if you’re caught. The biggest mistakes beginners make is not being subtle. If the dealer sees you muttering under your breath, or constantly checking the discard pile as you try to calculate the true count of the game, he will get suspicious. Learn to act casual, and practice counting until you can do it instinctively.
Don’t bother counting online
Online blackjack is a wonderful thing, but internet games are no good for card counters. The reason for this is simple: the deck gets shuffled after every hand, making card counting useless. This makes sense, since counting cards online would be so easy. You could even use a pen and paper! Of course, playing online is still a great way to practice, so keep your blackjack casino online accounts open while you learn to count cards.
Online blackjack is a wonderful thing, but internet games are no good for card counters. The reason for this is simple: the deck gets shuffled after every hand, making card counting useless. This makes sense, since counting cards online would be so easy. You could even use a pen and paper! Of course, playing online is still a great way to practice, so keep your blackjack casino online accounts open while you learn to count cards.
Read, read, read
We have covered the basics here, but there are literally hundreds of blackjack card counting books out there. Grab a few and learn more!
We have covered the basics here, but there are literally hundreds of blackjack card counting books out there. Grab a few and learn more!
Don’t overestimate your skills
Like we said from the very beginning, counting cards is difficult. Even if you think you’re ready to hit the tables, you probably have quite a lot to learn. Don’t expect to fumble about with a deck for a few hours and think you can count cards, it takes a lot of practice to perfect. Craps tables in florida.
Like we said from the very beginning, counting cards is difficult. Even if you think you’re ready to hit the tables, you probably have quite a lot to learn. Don’t expect to fumble about with a deck for a few hours and think you can count cards, it takes a lot of practice to perfect. Craps tables in florida.
That’s it – you have completed Card Counting 101. Good luck!