How To Count Cards in Blackjack

Every player should learn to count cards in blackjack, however, it is important to understand that there is a lot more to card counting than the theory. The theory behind card counting is very simple - it entails the tracking of the relationship between 'high-value' cards (giving the player an advantage) and the low-value cards (good for the dealer). Below we've detailed a few useful steps and tips for the person that wants to learn how to count cards in blackjack.

• Identify the number of decks being used. Even if the casino is using multiple decks, counting is possible. However, card counting is undoubtedly made more difficult where the casino employs methods of dealing that are designed to thwart counters. Ultimately however, the fewer the number of decks of cards, the greater the edge to you the player.
• Look for favorable rules. For example, rules that allow late surrender, doubling after splitting a pair, and the dealer standing rather than hitting on soft 17 are all favorable for the player.
• The level of 'penetration' is key. That is, what is the percentage or number of cards that are dealt before the dealer reshuffles the cards? The more cards that the dealer deals out prior to reshuffling them, the greater the advantage to the card counter. A skillful counter is unlikely to play in a game unless the penetration is at least 75%.
• Next you must follow basic blackjack strategy. If you don't know what basic strategy is, you need to study and learn it to the point that you don't even think about it as you play.
• For beginners, you can utilize the 'high-low' counting system. This is perhaps the most widely used system and can be described as a 'simple balanced count'. In High-Low, the cards 2-6 are valued at +1, and the 10s through to the Aces are counted as -1. The 7,8 and 9 are neutral (they have no bearing on the count, ignore them totally).
  • As cards are revealed, you add based on the previously assigned values, and this is called the 'running count'.
  • This running count must then be converted to a 'true count' so that it will be effective for the actual playing and betting decisions. To get the true count, you divide the running count by the amount of decks left unseen. For example, in a double deck game after the first hand, lets say the running count is +4. Since there are approximately two full decks remaining, you divide the count by 2, producing a true count of +2.
  • By using basic blackjack strategy, the casino has approximately a ½% advantage over the player. However, with every positive true count point, the advantage shifts by ½% to the player. Thus, a true count of for example +4 will give you a 1½% advantage over the casino. This is the logic behind how to count cards, as you seek to identify how many high-value cards (always favorable to the player) are left unrevealed in the deck.
• Concentrate. It is always to the player's advantage to play at tables which are not crowded with other players and distractions that could potentially cause a break in concentration. Playing one and one against the dealer is always the best possible situation.