How Does Counting Cards in Blackjack Work? Mental Floss

Owning a casino isn’t much of a gamble. In almost every game, the casino has a statistical advantageā€”so for every one gambler raking it in, thereā€™s more than enough people leaving with empty pockets to net an enormous profit. But between the rolling dice By William Herkewitz|2014-06-03T08:00:00Z

In a normal game of blackjack played with a single deck of cards, the “house edge”ā€”the statistical likelihood that the casino will come out on topā€”is essentially nil. That means that if you play according to the very best strategy available (by memorizing and following the optimal method), in the long-run youā€™ll break even. That doesnā€™t sound like much, but blackjack is the only table-game that can claim such advantageous odds. And itā€™s these odds that make blackjack ripe for card counting.

In simple terms, “counting cards” just means keeping a tally of certain cards while the dealer burns through the deck. By keeping that tallyā€”although you still play with the same strategy as beforeā€”you know approximately which cards are more likely to come up for both you and the dealer in the next hand.

And that little bit of information can tell you when to bet big, or when to bet small. Having more low-numbered cards left in the deck is bad. It means youā€™re less likely to get a blackjack (21 points on your first two cards, which pays a bonus) and the dealer is less likely to “bust”ā€”get over 21 points worth of cardsā€”due to the dealerā€™s rigid betting rules. And more high-numbered cards are good for the opposite reasons.

If played correctly, counting cards improves your odds by around 1 percent. Again, that doesnā€™t sound like much, but over many, many hours and even more hands of cards, you can count on netting in the green.

In Practice

There are more than a few card counting strategies, but perhaps the best and easiest is a system called High-Low.

Using the High-Low strategy, the card counter only has to keep a simple mental tally of three groups of cards. Every time he or she sees a high number card played on the table (the 10s and all the face cards), the counter subtracts 1 from his or her tally. For every low number card (the twos through sixes) the counter adds 1 to his or her tally. The middle cards (the sevens, eights, and nines) are simply ignored.

If, for example, the running tally is at +3, that means the upcoming cards are more likely to be high, and thus itā€™s advantageous for the player to bet big. If the tally is at -2, the odds are on the dealerā€™s side because of the forthcoming low cards, and so itā€™s best to bet small. And when the deck is shuffled, the count goes back to 0.

With enough time, this straightforward tally becomes effortless. But the key to success is practice. Card counting is a long-term strategy, and keeping your 1 percent edge requires playing by the book game after game, while keeping count of what cards are rapidly being dealt and flipped on the table. And in a bustling casino brimming with coming and going players, that means staying focused.

Not Getting Caught

Despite what any casino would like you to think, card counting is not illegal. Youā€™re not cheatingā€”youā€™re simply out-thinking the house. But casinos know that card counters can and will lose them money. And they take advantage of their right to deny service to anyone they please by searching for and kicking out suspect gamblers.

From a casinoā€™s perspective, a telltale card counter is someone whoā€™s hyper-focused on the game, and plays for long stretches of time, and bets amounts that vary wildly and seemingly randomly (as the odds swing in or out of the card counterā€™s favor). But there are a few ways you can fool the casino.

First, don’t look the part. Dress like a tourist, chat with the dealer, and take your time when bettingā€”normal players donā€™t have a betting strategy drilled into them. This is also where your card counting practice will help, because if keeping your tally becomes truly effortless, small-talk wonā€™t derail your work.

Second, vary your bet minimally. While this decreases your advantage, it increases your card counter camouflage. Doubling or tripling your bet suddenly is the quickest way to flag yourself, and not only will that draw unwanted attention, but the dealer will likely shuffle the deck, ruining your count. So try to fly under the radar of the pit bosses and ever-present eyes of the casinoā€™s security.

Lastly, donā€™t stay at one casino or one table for too long. As a card counter, youā€™re now the only (legal) snag in a casinoā€™s otherwise solid business strategyā€”a wandering statistical anomalyā€”so take your show on the road.

FAQ

Can you use a strategy card in blackjack?

Yes, you can use betting strategies in blackjack, in addition to following the blackjack cheat sheet.Aug 21, 2024

What is the basic strategy in card counting?

Start counting cards with the Hi-Lo strategy, which assigns value to every card. You must keep a running count based off of each dealt card’s values to determine what’s left in the deck. Cards 2-6 have a value of +1, cards 7-9 have no value, and aces and face cards are worth -1.

Do you hit 13 against a 2?

Player 21: In the event your point total equals 21 (not Blackjack), you automatically win and the dealer will pay you even money. Five Card Trick: In the event you draw 5 cards to a hand without exceeding 21, you automatically win and the Dealer will pay you even money.

Can you have a blackjack strategy card?

Not only do all casinos I know allow strategy cards or books, most will give you a card with basic strategy on it. The only restrictions are if you are slowing down play.Feb 7, 2012

When to hit when card counting?

Although card counting with electronic devices is not allowed, it is legal to count cards with your head. However, if a player using card count is too successful, the casino might not let such a player play blackjack.22 Feb 2023

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