One of the most famous casino strategies is card counting in Blackjack. Thanks to movies, TV shows, books and pop culture in general, people are often exposed to card counting as a simple and easy-to-execute strategy that allows them to beat the casino and win a lot of money quickly. But it’s not quite like that.
Yes, card counting in Blackjack is one of the few casino strategies that can give a player an edge when used correctly. But while the concept is simple in theory, applying this strategy in a casino is challenging at the very least. It requires focus, good mental math skills and lots of practice.
But what exactly is card counting in Blackjack? In this article, we’ll cover the basics of this strategy so you can understand how it works and whether it’s worth the time to learn.
What is Blackjack Card Counting?
Card counting is not about memorising every card that is dealt. It’s a simple system where the player merely adds and subtracts points based on the rank of the cards dealt. The idea is to try and figure out what types of cards are left in the deck and adjust your bets accordingly.
High cards (10s, face cards, and Aces) benefit the player because they increase the chances of getting a blackjack and the dealer busting. Conversely, low cards (2 to 6) benefit the dealer by reducing their chances of busting and the player’s chances of making a strong hand.
How Card Counting Works
Since the idea is to know whether the remaining deck is richer in high or low cards, it makes sense that card counting is based on a hi-lo system, where each card has a specific value to monitor the deck’s balance:
| Card Rank | Count |
|---|---|
| Low cards (2 to 6) | +1 |
| Middle cards (7 to 9) | 0 |
| High cards (10, J, Q, K, A) | -1 |
As the cards are dealt, the player should keep a running count by adding or subtracting based on the value of each card. A positive count indicates that more high cards are left in the deck, which is an advantage for the player. A negative count indicates that there are more low cards in the deck, which favours the dealer.
- So, imagine you are sitting alone at a Blackjack table against the dealer and you start the count at zero.
- You are dealt K-10, and the dealer is dealt Q-9, meaning three high cards and one middle card. This means the count would now be -3.
- In the next hand, you are dealt 2-6-9, and the dealer is dealt 10-9. Two low cards (2 and 6), two middle cards (two 9s) and one high card (10). The running count was -3 and became -2 (-3+1+1+0+0-1).
In multi-deck games, a true count adjustment is sometimes used, dividing the running count by the estimated number of decks remaining to get a clearer picture. This adjusted count can give a more accurate sense of when to increase or decrease bets based on the remaining cards.
If the count is positive, you should consider increasing your bet size, as the cards are in your favour. If the count is negative (as in the example above), keep your bets low.
Keeping track of the running count will become faster and more natural with practice, but staying focused is essential for accuracy.
Challenges and Casino Countermeasures
The best way to practice is to take a deck of cards at home and keep the count up as you turn the cards over. The faster you can do this, the better. But doing this in a casino is much more complex, with the biggest challenge being to focus on the running count in a noisy environment with countless distractions around you.
To make matters worse, let’s not forget about the tactics casinos use to discourage card counters:
- Shuffling the cards more often.
- Using automatic shuffling machines.
- Monitoring fluctuations in bet sizes according to a high or low count, etc.
If the success of a card-counting team in a Hollywood casino movie made you think it was easy, think again. Still, despite the obstacles, it’s possible to do it with enough practice!
How to Count Cards in Blackjack – The Bottom Line
Counting cards in Blackjack is a unique skill that allows players to tilt the odds slightly in their favour, but it’s no easy feat. While the steps are simple, mastering card counting takes practice, focus, and the ability to remain calm under pressure - all while staying under the casino’s radar.
And while online casinos have better odds than land-based casinos, counting cards is, typically, exclusive to the latter due to the use of random number generators to shuffle and deal the cards online.
Remember that even with the best strategies, the house still has an edge, so card counting is a way to play more strategically, not a guaranteed way to win.
So, if you know how to play blackjack and you’re up for the challenge, take the time to practice, manage your expectations, and, most importantly, enjoy the thrill of the game!
