Counting cards is a card-playing strategy, primarily associated with the game of blackjack, that involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to gain an advantage over the casino or other players. The main goal of card counting is to determine whether the remaining cards in the deck or shoe are favorable to the player or the dealer.
How to count cards in black jack
Here’s how counting cards works in the context of blackjack:
- Assigning Values: Each card in the deck is assigned a point value. In the most common card counting system, known as the High-Low system, the values are as follows:
- Low cards (2-6) are assigned a value of +1.
- Neutral cards (7-9) are assigned a value of 0.
- High cards (10-Ace) are assigned a value of -1.
- Running Count: As cards are dealt from the deck, players keep a running count by adding and subtracting the assigned values of each card. The running count represents the approximate ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck.
- True Count: To improve accuracy, players divide the running count by the estimated number of decks left in the shoe. This calculation results in the “true count.” The true count provides a more accurate picture of the remaining favorable cards per deck.
- Betting Strategy: Players adjust their bets based on the true count. When the true count is positive (indicating that there are more high cards remaining), players increase their bets. When the true count is negative, indicating that there are more low cards remaining, players decrease their bets.
- Playing Strategy: In addition to betting, card counters can adjust their playing decisions based on the true count. For example, they may be more inclined to double down or split pairs when the count is favorable.
The objective of card counting is to identify situations where the deck is favorable to the player (i.e., when there are more high cards left) and to capitalize on these situations by betting more aggressively. Card counting can provide players with an edge over the casino, but it requires a deep understanding of the system, practice, and the ability to execute the strategy discreetly, as casinos typically discourage and may ban card counters.
It’s important to note that while card counting can be effective in blackjack, it is not applicable to most other casino card games, including poker, because poker involves playing against other players rather than against the house. Card counting also requires significant skill and practice, and not all players are successful at it. Additionally, casinos employ countermeasures to detect and discourage card counters, such as using multiple decks, reshuffling frequently, and closely monitoring player behavior.