How Do I Count Cards in Blackjack

Counting cards in blackjack – how does it work?

A passion for learning, a love of the game, constant practice and plenty of free time make newcomers to the world of blackjack real masters. An important skill for any professional blackjack player at 21 is knowing how to count cards. And you don’t have to be a prodigy or a good mathematician to do it.

Hi-Lo

The simplest counting strategy, formed from the word high-low. Its principle is to gradually eliminate possible card choices by using the number 1. Cards of value 2-6 are marked +1, as leaving the deck is advantageous to the player. Cards 7-9 are not marked at all – they benefit both the player and the dealer. The remaining cards are marked -1, because the fewer cards in the deck of 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, the less favourable the deck becomes for the player.

Running Count

If the previous tactic only works for a single deck, and most blackjack casinos use 4 or 6 decks at a time, it will be less effective than the graf walking strategy over distance. It is all about constantly counting points and dividing by the remaining number of decks. Conventionally, if there are 5 more decks in play and the player’s score is +5, the running graph strategy divides the player’s advantage by the number of decks. Thus the remaining cards are evaluated as +1.

Types of strategies

You can find several other effective strategies on the internet that work for beginners and experienced players alike. But Hi-Lo is one of the best, and is the basic strategy used in most Blackjack card-counting tactics.

Blackjack for a Newcomer

How do I improve my card-counting technique?

Once you’ve learned the basic techniques and strategies, it’s best to be smart about which online casino you’re playing at. There are also a few other important considerations:

  1. Trust in the chosen strategy and do not stray from it. It is important to realize that strategies bring pluses at a distance, so it is not worth to go out after a long minus.
    2) Without constant updates, you will risk losing money. Practice the new strategies, try them out, and discuss them with the other players. This way, you’ll not only get a grip, but you’ll also get to know the blackjack market in depth.
  2. Going from an online casino to a real one is hard enough. At home, you may comfortably count the cards while writing them out in the spreadsheet, but you’ll never do it in the casino. In addition, there are many distractions in the casino that may interfere with counting. Mental toughness and the ability to detach is incredibly important when playing in a casino.
  3. Luck is a rare phenomenon in blackjack, which is more suited to movies than reality. You need a steady bankroll to count your cards competently. Minima and highs are also important. Money when counting cards is matched against time – everything needs to be spent a little at a time.
  4. Any kind of strategy can lead to loss over a short distance. You must be prepared not only for long term gains, but also for substantial losses.