Count Cards

Counting cards is used in blackjack to give a player an edge over the casino. Contrary to popular belief, counting cards doesn't require any type of "Rain Man"-like savant qualities, nor is it illegal... it's just highly frowned upon. Therefore, if you start counting cards, you'll have to learn to be incredibly stealthy.. Anyone can learn how to count cards with a little bit of practice

Steps

Getting Acquainted with the Game

  1. Learn basic strategy. First things first, you can't really be an effective card counter if you don't know the ins and outs of basic blackjack strategy. Sure, you could count the cards, but it wouldn't result in you winning anything. Try to walk before you run.
    • It's in your favor to practice in casinos, if you plan on counting cards at casinos. Unlike at your kitchen table, there are a ton of other factors going on that must be considered -- like hiding the fact that you're hustling everyone.
    • When you play blackjack with a well-practiced strategy, you get the house's advantage to relatively 0.[1] All casino games are in favor of the house, so this 0 is pretty good!
  2. Get so good at blackjack it's like breathing. You should be a machine when it comes to this game, spitting out the best thing to do in split seconds. You shouldn't need a book open, you shouldn't need a second to think, and you should be able to do it with one eye closed and both arms tied behind your back.
    • Knowing this game like the back of your hand is the only way you'll make money. Counting cards gives you a one percent edge. If you're betting $100, that's $1 you make per hand. The only way this 1% will result in you banking millions is if you have it down to a legitimate art.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the concept of counting cards. General strategy for card counting uses the Hi-Lo strategy. High cards are given a specific value (-1) and low cards are given a specific value (+1). When added up, they total the running count. That's it. The simpler you can keep it, the less your brain will want to explode -- so think of this simplicity as a good thing.
    • Understand why card counting works. It works because high cards (tens) improve a player's chances of hitting a blackjack, which pays out at 3:2. They also increase the dealer's chances of going "bust." Low cards, on the other hand, are bad for the player (who wants a blackjack and to beat the house) but good for the dealer (they prevent them from busting on 16 or lower).

Using Hi-Lo Strategy

  1. Understand how it works. If the ratio of high cards to low cards is higher than normal (that is, there are lots of high cards still in the shoe), the player can make bigger bets to increase the amount he/she can win when the deck is favorable. They keep a number in their heads that tells them when to bet and how much to bet -- or not to bet at all!
    • A deck with a positive number is good. The higher the number, the more you want to bet. The higher the number, the more high cards are left to be played.
  2. Learn the values. To track the ratio of high cards to low cards (thus knowing whether the deck is in your favor or not), you'll need to assign the cards a value. Start at 0 and as each card comes up, add it to your tally.
    • Cards 2-6 have a value of +1.
    • Cards 7-9 have no value.
    • Cards worth 10 have a value of -1.
    • Aces also have a value of -1.
  3. Learn how to bet accordingly. Increase your bets when the count is running positive (that is, about +2 and above).[2] The higher the count, the more you should bet, but keep in mind that if you range your bets too much, you might draw some heat from the casino.
    • Generally speaking, you want to increase your bet by a unit of 1 for each point that the tally goes up. If you do it any more drastically than that, those eyes in the skies will be on you like a hawk.
  4. Test yourself. Grab a complete deck (sans the jokers) and rifle through it, keeping track. You should end up at a very round 0 if you've counted the cards accurately. Aim to get through the deck in under 25 seconds. That way, even Dealer McSpeedy won't get by you.
    • Start timing yourself when you can get through the deck and end up at 0 every time. Even though the math is very simple, it's easy to get side tracked. Don't be surprised if you end up with a different number consistently in the beginning stages.
    • Take a card out and leave it face down. Run through the deck and get your tally -- what's the unturned card?
  5. Take in pairs. If you look at a jack and a 4, your thought process should not be, "-1 and +1 = 0." It should simply be, "0." When you see a low card and a high card, they cancel each other out. Keeping this in mind will make it much easier as the cards fly by you at lightning speeds.
    • Counting cards is about remembering a tally. Counting cards well is about accuracy and speed. To be a good card counter, it has to be like riding a bike -- you can go on autopilot at the drop of a hat. Taking in pairs gives you a lot less to worry about, making it easier for you to be accurate.
  6. Get the true count. Long gone are the days when casinos work with just one deck (mostly, at least). It's a lot more common to run into a game that is working with 5 or 6 (in what's called the shoe). Because of this, your running count may not be the true count.
    • To find the true count, divide the running count by the number of decks waiting to be dealt. If your running count is +4 and there are 4 decks left, the true count is actually +1.
      • To know how many decks are left, you're gonna have to take a covert look at the discard tray. Do this between hands, when you have the extra bit of time.
    • If you are working with a single deck, you invert and multiply. Say you have 3/4 of a deck left and the count is +4. You would then multiply 4 x 4 to get 16 and divide it by 3 (a little over 5). Some people choose just to go with the running count in a single deck, but know that the true count is always a little bit different (higher, regardless).
  7. Practice with distractions. It's all well and good if you can count cards in the comfort of your own home, door locked, curtains drawn, and telephone off the hook. But when you do it at a casino? There will be a thousand and one distractions taking place at the same time. Doesn't matter how simple the math is -- if you get off by 1, you're shooting yourself in the foot.
    • Start by turning the TV on. Then add the radio. Throw in a dog and a few kids and you'll almost be at the level you'll be dealing with at any hopping casino. Not to mention you'll have several sets of eyes watching you at all times -- you've got to be accurate and low-key.

Learning Other Styles of Card Counting

  1. Consider learning other types of card counting. For the record, Hi-Lo is the most popular for a reason -- it yields good results and it's simple to master. However, there are a number of varieties.
    • In KO, the difference is that 7s are worth +1.
    • In Omega II, 4, 5, and 6 are worth +2. 10, J, Q, and K are worth -2 and Aces are worth 0.
    • In halves, 2 and 7 are worth +.5. 5 is worth +1.5. 9 is worth -.5.
  2. Know the statistics of each variety. Statistical analysts have these numbers all figured out and it's not a simple, "Does it work or not?" There are a number of factors to take into account:
    • When it comes to betting correlation (BC), Halves has the highest correlation. This is used to predict betting situations.
    • Hi-Opt II and Omega II have the highest playing efficiency (PE). This determines decisions and deviations (when you change from basic strategy) in play.
    • Hi-Opt II has the highest insurance correlation (IC). This tells you when it's best to buy insurance (because Hi-Opt II has an additional Ace count).
      • As you can see, Hi-Lo is not mentioned. This is because it falls in the middle of the pack for every factor. Hi-Opt II has an additional Ace count and Halves is just tedious (adding further distraction) and Omega IIs playing efficiency doesn't match the betting correlation. Unless you're the best blackjack player this side of the Mississippi, stick to Hi-Lo.[3]
  3. Learn the concept of "wonging," or back-counting. It is called "wonging in" when you stay away from a table until it's hot enough to warrant joining. When the table grows cold, you "wong out." It's typically done on bigger decks, otherwise you'd be getting up as soon as you sat down.
    • Lots of casinos have banned mid-shoe entry for this purpose. If you do consider doing this, know that it looks fishy to even untrained eyes. How else would you know when to swoop in for the kill if you weren't counting cards?
      • The suspicions you do avoid, however, are changing your bets. When you're wonging, you bet the same exorbitant amount every time.

Camouflaging Your Strategy

  1. Act like a tourist. Card counters are notorious for playing blackjack for hours and hours, often without eating or enjoying the amenities available at the resort. Acting like a tourist just looking for a simple good time may take the suspicion off of you.
    • You want to blend in. Busting out your three-piece Armani suit is not what you want to do when starting your card counting career at your local casino. Leave the Italian suede at home and act like a regular Joe.
  2. Let your bet ride, if you need to increase the bet. Dealers are trained to shuffle the deck upon an unexplainable increase in the bet. For this reason, only up your bet in small increments and at seemingly random points in the game.
    • This may seem counter to making money, but if you get thrown out, you'll be making zero. No, card counting isn't illegal, but it is heavily frowned upon and you can be asked to never return.
  3. Appear to be interested in other things besides the game. This is why we had you practicing with the TV, radio, and several messy, loud-mouthed children. If you are so busy counting your lips are practically moving, it's a dead giveaway. Go ahead, get a drink, make small talk. Enjoy yourself.
    • Counters have a reputation for being "zoned in" to the game. He will remain fixated on their cards while everyone else is looking at a gorgeous woman. Don't be that guy.
    • You need to be proficient enough at counting that you can carry on a conversation. Chat with the dealer about how their day is going. If the pit boss comes up, chat with him, too.
  4. Tip the dealer. Many dealers know how to count cards. A dealer that likes you will be more likely to wait before shuffling on a favorable deck and shuffle sooner on a bad one.
    • A dealer can help you or hurt you. Motivate the dealer to be for you. Same goes for the entire pit crew -- get them on your side, your not-so-heinous crime may slide under their radar.
  5. Know who's watching you. At any time, there are hundreds of cameras going on in the casino in addition to the eyes of the dealers, those in the pit (behind the tables), and the security staff. If they'll catch a waitress for serving a customer every 18.37 minutes, they'll definitely have the attention span to monitor you. Because of this, it's very important to be on your best behavior.
    • If a casino suspects you're counting, they probably won't come right out and say it. They may have someone start a conversation with you to distract you, assign you a high-speed dealer, shuffle spontaneously or change the betting rules.[4] If any of these happen, back down slowly, but immediately.
  6. Do everything slow. When you hit a table, stay there for a spell. Why would you leave? And when you make your moves at this table, take a second to think about it. Normal blackjack players haven't spent the past three months staring at this exact set up in black and white. Everything you do needs to be nonchalant and casual.
    • Do not jump from table to table every time the deck sours. This will bring you to the attention of the casino personnel fast. Make minimum bets until the deck is richer. Increase casually because you're doing well -- not because you know what's about to come.



Tips

  • Some players keep track of how many Aces have been seen, too. Only do this if you've mastered counting cards first.
  • Begin the count when the deck is restarted. That is, when the dealer shuffles the deck and begins to deal from a now six-deep shoe.
  • If a pit boss or shift manager does ask you to leave, having suspected you of counting, you must leave. This is a legal requirement in most gambling areas. The easiest way to leave without suspicion is to simply say "OK", take your chips and leave. Cash them in tomorrow.
  • Act naturally. Talk to the dealer, joke about your wins and losses, and most importantly, talk about things outside the casino (even if you need to invent things). This is much less suspicious than a nervous-looking person silently looking at everyone's cards and doing mental math equations.
  • Remember that the importance of the count varies with the number of cards left in the shoe. A count of +6 with only two decks left in the shoe is much more favourable to the player than a count of +10 when only one deck has been used (five decks remaining).

Warnings

  • Don't try to count cards in a casino unless you've practiced enough at home to be able to count cards without moving your lips or acting like you're counting. Counting cards is legal, but casinos can and will ban you from playing blackjack there if they think you're counting. You can even get banned from a casino for life.
  • Although the odds are in your favour, it will require about six hours of play to guarantee the odds will come to fruition (even a coin flipped 10 times could land on heads for 7 of those). Remember that you can ALWAYS lose money. The card-counting system helps you get an edge in blackjack. It doesn't play it for you.
  • Don't play with money you can't afford to lose, especially while you're learning. Variance can cause losses even if your strategy is perfect. This article is a great introduction to how to count cards, but there is a little more to it if you want to become a professional card counter.
  • Counting cards attracts attention! Counting cards will eventually get the attention of another player, and could result in violence.

Related Articles

Things You'll Need

  • A complete deck of playing cards

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.blackjackbee.com/blackjack_odds.php
  2. ↑ http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Count_Cards
  3. ↑ http://www.blackjackapprenticeship.com/resources/card-counting-systems/
  4. ↑ http://rose.casinocitytimes.com/article/dealing-with-card-counters-1021
  • Turing the Tables on Las Vegas by Ian Anderson.
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