Card counting is based around a theory of statistical analysis. Of course this directly relates to blackjack, because when a player knows the proportion of high cards left in the deck, or decks, the player is able to increase the bet size when leaving the dealer has a much shorter cards remaining in the deck.
Card counting was first discovered by a math professor, Edward Thorp, who outlined several card counting systems and studied them in great detail. He even wrote a book on the subject titledBeat the Dealer.
Each card counting system offers a different strategy. Some systems are quite complicated and would be impossible to master in just a few hours, while others are quite simple and can be first learned in a few minutes.
While it can take a while to learn all of the systems and then become accomplished at the different betting levels, most experts agree that if you are determined to win at blackjack, card counting is the best sure way.
Card Counting – Hi Lo Card Counting
Although there are both coded and un coded card counting systems, the easiest is the Hi Lo Card Counting system. This system is named so because it shares the value of the cards 2 to 12 in a deck of cards. The system is shared between all of the major casinos, which means it is quite common.
This count system goes like this:
- Hi Lo Card Counting is started by dividing the card numbers into two equal parts, the left 2 and right 2.
- Card number 2 is your normal card being dealt
- Card number 3 is the card that is placed as replacement for card number 2
- Card number 4 is the card that is placed in the middle as a block to not bust the dealer
- Cards 5 and 6 are ignored, and the card number 7 is the card that is used to complete up the dealer’s hand.
You will need to be focused on the cards in the middle 3 pets, and watching the dealer’s hand. Remember, you must adhere to the card number 7 as it is the card number that causes the dealer to go bust. Once the dealer busts, you will have a full house.
Card Counting – Card Two Count
Card two counting, when done properly, helps a player beat the casinos edge. This is quite a different method that requires a little bit of practice to do.
Here you will add one more card to the deck. This card is kept off until the player has reached the card limit of the Bolagila. Once the deck is brought back to the dealer, the cards are once again divided into two equal parts. This time you will remove the top card from the deck and place it as your new card in your hand.
After you have reached the card limit, the card number seven is now in your hand, so you should begin to upgrade your betting as predicted by the simple chart below:
- bet 1 unit for 2 cards
- bet 2 units for 3 cards
- bet 3 units for 4 cards
- bet 4 units for 5 cards
- bet 5 units for 6 cards
- upgrade 7 units for 8 cards
- upgrade 8 units for 9 cards
- upgrade 9 units for 10 cards
Betting is not cumulative in Hi Lo Card Counting. If your count is +2 and the dealer’s up card is +5 or higher, you should not bet. If the dealer’s up card is a 2 gaming card lower than a 6 (worth 7), you should bet the pools.
Betting In summary
The Hi Lo Card Counting system can be complicated if you make it that way. But the good news is that it is actually intuitive and can even be a little fun. If you want to make it a business, you can play one session a day and make some money. It requires no staking and no betting bank. Best of all you can do this once a week if you like.