Card counting has been around since the 1950s. But wasn’t popularised as a method of beating the Blackjack table until the 1960s.
Right about the time when a mathematics professor by the name of Dr. Edward O. Thorp published a book called ‘Beat the Dealer’.
The book emphasised that a skilled player could actually outdo the casino and gain an upper hand at blackjack. Letting you in on the secret to beating the house shows that intelligence, rather than just luck, plays a major role in the game. It is one of the most popular ways to win at the game, and many people swear by it.
Though if you are actually going to use it as a strategy, be prepared to get thrown out of the casino if you are caught!
Simply put, card counting is a counting system used to keep track of the ratio of high to low cards in a deck. This is now used as the basis for most card-counting strategies used in blackjack today. More recently, the system was used and improved upon by the famous MIT blackjack card counting team.
They took many of the top Vegas casinos for millions and turned their exploits into the major motion film 21, starring Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey.
How Does Card Counting Work?
A deck of cards has 52 cards in total. The deck is then divided into four distinct sections, each with a specific value attached to the cards in that section.
| Card | Value | Total |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, | +1 | 20 (5 cards, 4 of each in a deck) |
| 7, 8, 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 10, J, Q, K | -1 | -16 (4 cards, 4 of each in a deck) |
| Ace | -1 | -4 (4 Aces in a deck) |
The breakdown of the deck of cards above clearly shows the four sections. Plus, the value attached to the individual cards in each. If you added up all of the cards (-1, 0 or +1) they would balance perfectly to give you a starting point of 0.
When you count the cards in a hand, and the cards out on the table end with a + value, then you’re at an advantage. However, when you count them, and you get a minus value, then you’re at a slight disadvantage.
The Advantage
The player knows he has an advantage when a deck has a shortage of cards valued: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
The Disadvantage
The player is at a disadvantage when a deck has a shortage of cards valued: 9, 10, Ace
When you card count, you can tell when the deck is rich in 9’s, 10’s, and Aces. As a result, you can do one of the following things:
- Bet more money when the deck is favourable to you.
- Alter your strategy play to account for the favorability, which will increase the odds of winning a particular hand.
Example
The following cards are shown in the course of a hand
2 3 8 10 K Q 4 3 4 9
The first value is +1 for the 2 followed by +1 for the 3. You are now at +2. Next is the 8, which has 0 points. That is followed by -1 for the 10. You’re now at +1.
Both the King and the Queen are worth -1 each. You’re now at -1. With the 4’s and 3 all worth +1 and the 9 at 0 you finish with +2.
2 (+1) 3 (+1) 8 (0) 10 (-1) K (-1) Q (-1) 4 (+1) 3 (+1) 4 (+1) 9 (0)
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Result: +2
This is a positive outcome for you, the player. Because of that, you now have a greater advantage than the house. Which makes it more likely that you will win this hand.
The only way that you will get good at this is by practice. We recommend doing this on a ‘play for fun’ table, which won’t cost you anything. You can also use a deck of cards and count them individually as you turn them over. Practice makes perfect!
You can also check out this card-counting video from expert Mike Aponte. He is a former member of the infamous MIT Blackjack Team and will take you through the complicated process of counting cards.
Now that you have all your card counting ducks in a row, you can play for real. There are plenty of great online casinos, many of which have new customer welcome bonuses. We particularly like Mr Green Casino, but ultimately, the choice is yours!
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FAQs about Card Counting in Blackjack:
- What is card counting in blackjack?
Card counting is a strategy used by some players in the game of blackjack to keep track of the cards that have been dealt from the shoe to determine the likelihood of certain cards being dealt next. By keeping track of the cards, players can make more informed decisions about whether to hit, stand, double down, or split. - Is card counting illegal in blackjack?
No, card counting is not illegal in blackjack. However, casinos do not like players who use this strategy and may ask them to leave the premises. It’s important to note that while card counting is not illegal, using a device to aid in card counting is against the law in most casinos. - Can anyone learn to count cards in blackjack?
Yes, anyone can learn to count cards in blackjack. It’s not a complicated strategy, but it does take practice and concentration. There are several methods for counting cards, but the most popular is the Hi-Lo system. This system assigns a value of +1 to cards 2-6, a value of 0 to cards 7-9, and a value of -1 to cards 10-Ace. By keeping a running count of the cards that have been dealt, players can determine the true count and adjust their betting accordingly. - Is card counting a guaranteed way to win at blackjack?
No, card counting is not a guaranteed way to win at blackjack. While it does increase a player’s chances of winning, it is not foolproof. There are many variables in the blackjack game, and card counting is just one strategy that can be used to improve a player’s odds. It’s important to remember that the house always has an edge in blackjack, and no strategy can eliminate that edge completely. - What are some common misconceptions about card counting in blackjack?
One common misconception about card counting is that it’s a form of cheating. As mentioned earlier, card counting is not illegal, but casinos may still ask players to leave if they suspect they are counting cards. Another misconception is that card counting guarantees a win every time. While it does increase a player’s chances of winning, there are still factors, such as luck and variance, that can affect the outcome of a game.Finally, some people believe that card counting requires a photographic memory or incredible mathematical skills. While these skills may help, they are unnecessary for effective card counting. With practice and dedication, anyone can learn to count cards in blackjack.
