How to Count Cards in Blackjack?
8 min
Card counting is a blackjack strategy that you can use to improve and potentially overcome the house edge. It is easier to learn and understand, contrary to what people believe. This technique can be used individually or to complement other options, such as the blackjack basic strategy. This article will help you learn the most effective ways to count cards and other possible benefits.
Step-by-Step Card Counting Tutorial
The counting of cards requires guidance, or else you can quickly fall off the train. The systematic approach to card counting involves the following:
Learn the Card Value
The standard card-counting technique gives card values. Cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are worth +1. Cards 7, 8, and 9 are worth 0. Cards 10, J, Q, K, and Ace are worth -1.
Counting Cards
You need to keep a ‘running count’ for all cards that hit the table using the above values. For instance, if the dealer consecutively shows 6, 2, K, 9, then Ace, the tally will be +1, +1, -1, 0, then -1, which equals 0.
You can practise this by using 6 or 8 decks of cards and keeping the count as you shuffle. If you lose count, take the dealt cards to counter check your tally. It can be somewhat challenging for blackjack online because decks are shuffled after every hand.
Calculate the Actual Count
Blackjack was initially played using a single deck, giving players the lowest house edge. This made counting much easier, and the blackjack basic strategy could almost eliminate the house advantage.
However, those days are gone, as dealers now use 6 to 8 decks of cards on blackjack tables. This has increased the house’s edge and made counting cards difficult. But you can still manoeuvre around these changes.
You need to calculate the true count based on the number of decks used on the table. You do this by dividing the running count by the number of decks. For instance, if your running count is +24 and you have 8 decks, your true count is +3.
The true count affects the casino advantage for the remaining decks. For example, if you have a true count of +2 with 8 decks, this means that given the optimal play, the casino no longer has the advantage. This makes it more favourable for you as a player.
Take Advantage of the Count
The importance of blackjack card counting is to improve your winning chances. Once you have an established count, you need to utilise it by betting accordingly. We recommend starting with small stake sizes and progressing as the true count becomes more favourable.
Having an advantage over the house edge will yield more profits. Be cautious of the betting unit you select and bet with precision concerning the true count. You can build up from there until the odds look unfavourable, then you can retract and wait until you’re good to go again.
Make Necessary Alterations to the Basics
As the game progresses and total value increases, you’ll realise that the basic strategy won’t be reliable anymore. This can get complicated, and you’ll have to deviate from that strategy and adopt alternative solutions. You can start betting using mathematically driven stats to be more efficient.
With a 3+ true count, you can start making popular deviations like:
- Buy insurance on the dealer’s Ace
- Split instead of standing on 10s
- Stand on 12 against the dealer’s 2 or 3
- Stand on 13 against the dealer’s 2
- Stand on 16 against the dealer’s 10
- Double on 9 against the dealer’s 7
- Double on 10 against dealer’s Ace
What is the Easiest Way to Count Cards in Blackjack?
Thus far, we’ve established that card counting involves giving a positive, zero, or negative value to a particular card. There are various blackjack card counting systems, each with its own unique approach to this technique. Some of the popular ones include:
Hi-Lo
Hi-Lo is the most popular card-counting system. It allows you to assign blackjack card values to high and low cards in the decks. Its basis is that the more high-value cards left, the more favourable the game is for you. The more low-value cards left, the more the casino gains advantage. The system allows you to play bigger bets as the running value increases.
Cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are +1. Cards 7, 8, and 9 are 0. Cards 10, J, Q, K, and Ace are -1.
Red Seven
As highlighted in the name, card 7 is important for this system. With this system, a red 7 (7 of hearts and 7 of diamonds) is +1, and a black 7 (7 of spades and 7 of cloves) is 0. It is ideal for beginners and has recently gained popularity among bettors.
Cards Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are +1. Cards 8 and 9 are 0. Cards 10, J, Q, and K are -1.
K-O
K-O almost resembles the Hi-Lo system, having one significant difference. Unlike its sister system, K-O values 7 as a +1. It is also among the easiest systems to learn.
Cards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are +1. Cards 8 and 9 are 0. Cards 10, J, Q, K, and Ace are -1.
KISS
KISS is a unique card counting system, and among its distinctive traits is that it values half of the deck as 0. There are numerous versions of KISS used by players across the board, but many use the outline for the basic version.
Cards 4, 5, and 6 are +1. Cards Ace, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 are 0. Cards 10, J, Q, and K are -1.
Omega II
Omega II is a more complex counting system. It introduces +2 and -2 blackjack card values, making counting a bit difficult if you aren’t conversant with the system.
Cards 4, 5, and 6 are +2. Cards 2, 3, and 7 are +1. Cards 8 and Ace are 0. Card 9 is -1. Card 10 is -2.
Hi-Opt
Hi-Opt is in a pool of counting systems that are considered optimal. They require skills to master and effectively use them. Unlike Omega II, it lacks the value -1.
Cards 4 and 5 are +2. Cards 2, 3, 6, and 7 are +1. Cards 8, 9, and Ace are 0. Cards 10, J, Q, and K are -2.
Zen Count
Zen Count resembles Omega II and HI-Opt but has a different distribution of blackjack card values. It is also an optimal system, offering card values of +2 and -2.
Cards 4, 5, and 6 are +2. Cards 2, 3, and 7 are +1. Cards 8 and 9 are 0. Card Ace is -1. Cards 10, J, Q, and K are -2.
Wong Halves
Of the systems considered optimal, this takes it home in matters of complexity. Unlike the conventional +2 and -2, Wong Halves uses different denominations to distribute values. This makes tallying the running count challenging. However, it’s recognised among the most successful blackjack counting card systems.
Card 5 is +1.5. Cards 3, 4, and 6 are +1. Cards 2 and 7 are +0.5. Card 8 is 0. Card 9 is -0.5. Cards 10, J, Q, K, and Ace are -1.
How to Choose the Right Counting System
There are four main considerations you should make when selecting the right counting card systems and learning how to play blackjack with them. The Betting Correlation (BC) is the effectiveness of the counting system in predicting valuable wagering situations compared to a computer system.
The Playing Efficiency (PE) measures the effectiveness of a system to determine correct playing variations. Insurance Correlation (IC) measures the accuracy of the system in determining the ideal time to buy insurance. Finally, the balanced or unbalanced is the count that begins and ends at 0.
How Does Blackjack Card Counting Work?
Contrary to what many bettors believe, counting cards isn’t about memorising the dealt cards from the shoe. You need not keep a perfect record of the 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, or 6s that were in the previous hands. Instead, you need to have a rough idea of the value in the remaining deck. This allows you to change the play style and bet sizes accordingly.
Blackjack is among the games with the best odds in a casino and still allows room for betting strategies. Since you decide your move after every hand, the stats from blackjack counting cards can help you influence the outcome. Blackjack favours players with card values of 10 or 11. Effective card counting can help you track the ratio between low to high cards, possibly earning an edge over the house.
Can You Count Cards in Online Blackjack?
You can count cards when playing blackjack in a live casino if you have the right tips. You should start by learning and understanding the basic strategy since card counting is dependent on it.
Check the necessary blackjack rules for card counting, such as hands paying 3:2, insurance paying 2:1, dealer standing on 17, leeway to split numerous times, and doubling on all hands.
Study the tables to know how often the dealer is shuffling the cards or changing the shoe. Always remember to manage your bankroll to avoid unnecessary losses. Blackjack card counting requires practice to master the technique and use it effectively.
FAQs
Is counting cards in blackjack illegal?
Card counting as a blackjack strategy is not considered cheating. It’s simply using your brain, similar to what chess players do. Fortunately, using your brain is legal in online gambling!
What is the maths behind counting cards?
In card counting, there are blackjack card values assigned to specific cards. 10s, Aces, and face cards are worth -1, cards 7, 8, and 9 are worth 0, and cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are worth +1. As a card counter, you’ll add all the dealt cards using this system to get the ‘count.’
How do you practise counting cards by yourself?
You can practise blackjack counting cards at home by shuffling 6 to 8 decks of cards and then dealing them out. You can check the dealt cards without restrictions if you’ve lost the count. It’s better to practise yourself than lose money in an online casino.
How effective is card counting in blackjack?
The common misconception is that you’ll always win with blackjack card counting, although this is not always the case. You can expect to win with card counting in the long run because you gain a 1% to 2% advantage, but even so, winning is still 50/50.
How can you tell if someone is counting cards?
]Players who count cards often make unique blackjack betting strategy shifts not typically used by non-counters. Probable signs would be deviations to plays like splitting 10s, standing on 15/16, surrendering on 14, and doubling down on soft 18, 19, or 20, although the blackjack basic strategy says otherwise.
How long does it take to learn to count cards?
It can take 100 to 200 hours or more of consistent blackjack card counting practice to gain mastery of this betting strategy. You’d require additional time to master the casino patterns to beat the house edge.
Last Updated: 27.11.2024
