Explained: How to count cards in blackjack

Blackjack card counting: it’s something you’ve probably heard of before, but also something you probably don’t understand too well. On this page, you’ll find out everything you need to know about card counting, both in land-based casinos and online, including exactly how many successful blackjack players count cards.

This is perhaps the most important question of all, and the answer isn’t as simple as some might think.

Firstly, blackjack card counting is not the practice of keeping tabs on every single card in the deck, as that would be impossible. Instead, card counting is the practice of using a system to evaluate the chances of a certain card being drawn next, which can then be used to evaluate how much to bet.

The basic rule to remember about blackjack is this: the more Aces and 10-value cards remaining in the deck, the more favourable it is for the player. So, card counting allows you to understand when more of these cards remain in the shoe, by understanding which cards have already been used.

It is not a completely foolproof system, and doesn’t guarantee profits in the short term, however those who master card counting should find that they make a profit while playing blackjack in the long term.

Finally, and this is really important, blackjack card counting isn’t another one of these systems that claims to guarantee profits, but then fail to deliver. Card counting is a real tactic used by many successful players, and is one that is proven to work. It’s also a tactic that you won’t have to pay for in order to learn, as you’ll find all of the information you need on this page, and it is all completely free!

So, how exactly do you count cards in blackjack? Well, it’s actually easier than you might think, and starts with you assigning a value to each group of cards. We’ll concentrate on the most common method of card counting, which is called Hi-Lo, and the values in this system are as such:

• Two through to Six = +1
• Seven through to Nine = 0
• Ten through to Ace = -1

Make sure you memorize these values properly, as they are the most important aspect to card counting. You will then keep a running count of the cards that are used during a game. So, if the first five cards you see are 5, 2, 7, 8, A, your running total will be +1 (1+1+0+0-1).

You can then use your running total to determine if there is a better or worse chance than normal of a 10-A card being dealt to you in the next hand. It’s important to remember this though: when the dealer shuffles the cards and fills the shoe, you need to start your card counting all over again.

How to Count Cards in Blackjack with Multiple Decks

So imagine this scenario. You’re playing at a table with two other players, and the cards received by each player, as well as the dealer, are:

• You: 10, 8
• Player Two: 2, 8, Q
• Player Three: 10, 2, J
• Dealer: 10, 6, 9

What would the running count be after this hand? Well, it would be -3, and this would indicate that the casino holds the advantage, as there is a higher chance of you being dealt lower cards in the next hand, thanks to the higher than average number of 10-A cards that have been seen on the table.

The first thing to know when using this system is how many decks are being used. You can then count the cards in the same way described above, assigning the correct values to specific cards that are dealt. Before a new hand is dealt though, you have to work out how many decks are remaining in the shoe, as a count of, for example, +6 with one deck remaining has better odds than a count of +6 with three decks remaining.

This is because a score of +6 with three decks remaining means that there are six extra high cards in a pile of 156 cards, while the same count with one deck remaining means that there are six extra high cards in a pile of 52 cards. Therefore, a count of +6 is far more advantageous when fewer cards remain in the shoe.

So, how do you go about getting the correct value? Well, it’s actually quite simple: you divide the total count by the remaining number of decks. So, using the previous example of having a count of +6, the True Count with three decks remaining would be +2 (+6/3=+2). It’s quite a simple answer to the problem and one that works incredibly effectively.

Now you know how to count cards, but how do you turn this knowledge into money? Well, you use the values to determine how much to vary your bet by, based on the likelihood of you being dealt higher cards in your hand.

So, if you have a high running count, it tells you that there are more than the average number of higher cards left in the pack, therefore you will want to increase your bet size, in order to take advantage of the better odds you’re being given.

If, however, you have a count lower than zero, you should lower your bet, as the chances of you being dealt good cards are lower than average. It’s essentially a case of capitalising on the best odds and mitigating any losses when the odds aren’t in your favour.

When it comes to altering your bets, you’ll need to be subtle though, as you’ll find out in the next section.

Many people think that card counting is illegal, but it is not. It’s simply a way of using skill to gain an advantage over an opponent – something that is found in many other sports and games. This doesn’t mean that casinos like it though, and players who are suspected of card counting will often be ejected from the casino pretty quickly.

The best place to go if you want to use card counting is New Jersey, as state laws prohibit casinos from ejecting card counters, as lawmakers don’t think that there is anything wrong with players using skill to gain an advantage.

Outside of New Jersey though, casinos have gotten wise to the practice of card counting, and have developed a number of ways to detect it. They also often use methods designed to confuse card counters, such as training dealers to deal faster, and shuffling the cards on a much more regular basis.

Card counting is something that anyone can do in a land-based casino, however it is not possible to count cards whilst playing blackjack online.

But why is this? Well, it’s because the hands are not part of a sequence, but are instead different hands in their own rights. This means that there’s never the chance to get a running count going, meaning that card counting is impossible. So, when playing standard online blackjack games, you simply need to use other blackjack tactics to give yourself the best chance of winning.

The only exception to this rule is live dealer blackjack, which is a relatively new addition to the world of online blackjack. This uses a real dealer, beamed to players’ screens using a webcam, and aims to replicate the exact way blackjack is played in casinos. This is good news for card counters, as they can once again get a count going and gain an edge over the house.

As with card counting in land-based casinos though, make sure you are subtle when it comes to altering your bets, as online casinos have a number of tactics in place for spotting potential card counters, and will ban those suspected of the practice.