Blackjack is a game with a minimum casino edge and a maximum player advantage. The game is simple to play: just count the points on your own hand and on the dealer’s hand. And it is desirable to keep track of what comes out of the deck. To simplify the process, were invented systems that allow you to easily count cards in blackjack, while not memorizing each of them.
The basic rules may differ in land-based and online casinos, yet the player’s advantage is around 99.5% to 100.5%. Yes, there are some online versions and live blackjack that have the advantage on your side.
Accurate card counting in blackjack is only available to people with a photographic memory. To memorize everything is not possible for the average person. But it is possible to count cards in blackjack using a few simple techniques.
What does it do? You will have an idea of what cards may come into your hand. And this will allow you to make predictions on what combinations and with what number of points can be collected.
Card counting in blackjack only works when playing hundreds or even thousands of hands over a long period of time. And it gives you the opportunity to get an edge to win consistently over the long haul. It is not about being able to only win, so you need to be patient to gradually get to the plus side. You also need to plan your bankroll, so that it will be enough for a long game. It will be a shame if counting helps you win more often, but you don’t have enough money to bet.
Counting Cards in Blackjack
First of all, let’s briefly recap the rules. You have to beat the dealer by collecting more points than he has, but less than 21.
According to the rules, this is how points are counted in blackjack:
- 2-10: card’s number
- J, Q, K: 10 points
- A: 1 or 11 (11 while the points do not exceed 21, 1 point after that)
While the dealer is giving you cards, is is important to understand when to stop or otherwise continue. Thus, there are card counting systems.
What does Counting Cards give you?
The players use card counting systems to know which card is going to be the next one to make the right move.
The most common card counting systems are:
- Hi-Low
- Hi-Low with Aces
- Watson
Learn to Count Cards: Hi-Low
Card counting in blackjack using the Plus-Minus system began in 1962. Today it is the base. It eventually became the basis for all other systems, having received a number of improvements.
This system was used by the famous mathematician and blackjack player Edward Thorpe. It was also used by math students, about whom the movie “21” was made.
To start counting cards you have to assign numbers to them:
- Low, from 2 to 6: +1 point
- Middle, from 7 to 9: 0
- High, from 10 to A: -1
You must count all the cards that come out. If you add up the values of all 52 cards from the deck, you get 0. Counting the cards that came out, we get a conditional mathematical expectation, we can predict what type of card will be next. And it is true both for playing with one deck and with eight decks.
How to interpret the results?
- Positive score: the low cards are gone, there is a high chance of a high card.
- Negative score: there is a high chance of getting a low card.
Having certain cards in hand and positive or negative score in the head, it is easier to make the decision based on the info.
Learn to Count Cards: Hi-Low with Aces
This system requires serious mental calculation skills, as you need to count cards as in Plus-minus and additionally keep track of the Aces.
As for every 13 cards there is one ace, if it comes out during the first 13 cards, it counts as a 0. If it is still in the deck, its number is 1. If during the first 13 cards there were 2 aces, subtract 1 point from the score. The method repeats for every 13 cards going out of the deck.
Furthermore, the interpretation of the results is the same as in the basic Hi-Low method. Positive score means high cards, negative – low.
Learn to Count Cards: Watson Method
This system also uses a modified Hi-Low system, although it is more complex then the others.
Card scores according to Watson:
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: +2
- 7: +1
- 8: 0
- 9: -1
- 10, J, Q, K: -2
- A: -1
The score counts as usual, and the interpretation is the same.
Is there any other Card Counting System?
There are dozens of them, yet the easier they are, the worse is the accuracy of the prediction. More precise prediction methods are quite hard to follow. Experienced players suggest starting from Hi-Low methods. Having acquired more experience you may switch to other systems.
Is Counting Cards in Blackjack allowed?
Any calculations, as long as they are done in the mind, are allowed. A player can use his or her abilities in the casino. And accurate and fast card counting in blackjack is not as simple a skill as it may seem. The game is dynamic, you need to count cards from yourself and the dealer, and in parallel to track how many cards came out of the deck and count them according to the system.
To play the simple Plus and Minus system you will need practice. At the first stages it is easy to get confused and make mistakes. Counting in blackjack is easy only when the player has gained experience.
What is not Allowed?
Using software, any mechanisms or other people’s help is not allowed in any casino. This is a violation of the rules. If the player is suspected or have been caught counting cards using illegal methods, they will have their winnings taken away, and/or blacklisted.
Where can you Learn to Count Cards?
The best place to learn to count cards is a licensed website with a wide range of blackjack versions and honest RNG directly from the developers. At shangrila.com site there are many variations of live blackjack from Evolution Gaming. A bit of practice and you will be able to win at blackjack regularly!
