If you have ever played blackjack, you must have seen people practicing or talking about card counting. It is often a debated topic and has also helped many different people in winning big in blackjack. Many players believe that for card counting you need what is considered a high level of intelligence equivalent to that of a genius.
If you’re interested in knowing all this and becoming a pro card counter yourself, then keep reading! This article will show you what counting cards is, how to count cards, and all the different strategies that you can use.
Table of Contents
What does card counting in Blackjack mean?
Card counting means keeping a record of the high and low-value games in Blackjack. By keeping a record of low and high-value cards in the game, card counting assists players in determining who will have the likely advantage in the next hand of blackjack.
The difficulty of card counting strategies varies, improving some basic math skills is sufficient in most cases. A simple tally system is used in several basic card reading strategies that everyone can do. Complex point values in advanced counting systems provide players with greater accuracy but necessitate accurate computations.
How do you count cards in Blackjack?
If you’re a constant player, you should know that games can make you a better and smarter strategist. Well in blackjack the strategy goes as follows: each card in a basic card counting system is assigned a positive, negative, or zero value. When a card is dealt, the count is adjusted by the counting value of that card. Low cards boost the deck’s count by increasing the percentage of high cards.
For the reverse reason, high cards lower the count. The Hi-Lo method, for example, subtracts one for any ten, jack, queen, king, or ace and adds one for any card between two and six. 7s, 8s, and 9s are all counted as zeros and have no effect on the total.
A card counting system seeks to award point values that are roughly proportional to the effect of removing a card (EOR). The estimated effect of removing a card from play is known as the EOR.
These strategies can be applied in a traditional casino as well as in a digital one. By joining an operator, the strategy still remains a fundamental part of the game. The only thing to check is that you are in a legal, safe, and recognized online casino; it is important to know how to stay safe from cyberattacks.
Here is an overview of how to count cards in Blackjack:
- Face and number cards are given a negative, positive, or zero value by the player.
- Based on the cards dealt in the game, the players keep a ‘running count.’
- A player can adjust their bets based on their advantage if they are sure of the ‘actual count.’
- If the count is negative after each round, increase the size of your stake. This is due to the fact that there will be more low-value cards left in the deck. Reduce your bet instead if the count is positive.
This blackjack approach requires patience, a lot of practice, and close attention to detail, but anyone can learn it. Given that card counting is one of the most effective blackjack methods, it is well worth your time and effort.
Different Card Counting Strategies
Card counting strategies are used by blackjack players in a variety of ways. Some are straightforward and simple, while others are more sophisticated.
1) The Hi-Lo Strategy
The simplest basic card counting strategy is the Hi-Lo system. The counting procedure begins with the first card dealt from the deck. The higher the positive number in the player’s count, the more high-value cards stay in the deck, and vice versa, based on the card numbers and values. When the cards are first dealt, players normally start with a running count of 0 and divide the number by the number of decks in the shoe.
2) Omega II Strategy
Bruce Carlson invented the Omega II system, which is an intermediate-level card counting system. It’s also a multi-level system, with certain cards being worth two points and others being just one. As a result, cards 2, 3, and 7 have a +1 value, whereas low cards like 4, 5, and 6 have a +2 value. The 9 has a -1 value, whereas the 10 and the face cards King, Queen, and Jack have a -2 value. The aces and eights are not tallied. This is a balanced card counting system, which means that if the player keeps track correctly, he will arrive at 0 when all the cards have been dealt.
3) Knock-Out Strategy
The Knock-Out strategy of card counting in blackjack, also known as the KO system, is suitable for both beginners and intermediate players. Tens, Aces, Queens, Jacks, and Kings have a value of -1, while cards from 2 to 7 have a value of +1, similar to the Hi-Lo technique. 8’s and 9’s, on the other hand, are denoted by a 0 in this case. The system is clearly unbalanced, as the final count will not equal zero after all cards have been dealt.
4) Red-7 Strategy
This strategy is easy to learn and implement. Because it is a one-level system, the Red 7 approach to counting cards in blackjack is straightforward and easy for beginners. The system is based on the high vs. low card notion. The lower value cards are marked with a value of +1, while the higher value cards are marked with a value of -1.
A 0 denotes the neutral 8’s and 9’s. Colour is also significant when it comes to the 7’s in this system. If the 7 is red, it is a low-value card (+1), whereas if it is black, it is neutral and awarded a 0. The better it is for the players if the final count is larger.
Final Words
Card Counting requires practice, but you have to start somewhere and this can be your guide to starting. Once you learn how to count cards like a pro, blackjack will become more fun for you. You also have a chance at winning big if you know the card counting strategies well. So, what are you waiting for? Start today!