Blackjack card counting helps beginners track cards and improve their odds by knowing when the deck favors the player or the house. Blackjack card counting like a pro takes a lot of effort and focus. However, even newbies can pick up the basics.
In our beginner’s guide to blackjack card counting, we look at the easiest card-counting systems for beginners. We’ll also touch on how effective card counting is when playing blackjack online and introduce you to common mistakes you should avoid. After reading our guide, you’ll be well-placed to begin card counting in blackjack games. Let’s begin.
How Card Counting Works
Card counting, as we’re sure you’re aware, involves keeping tabs on high and low-value cards. It is a technique used to understand when the house edge shifts to favour players. If you’re new to learning how to count cards in blackjack, you should know that it involves keeping a “running count”, based on the values of the cards dealt on the table. You can use this information to calculate a “true count” per deck. With a true count theorised, you can increase or decrease your blackjack bets based on the count.
Card counting helps you track low and high cards to improve your bets. Start with the minimum, observe, then bet higher when the odds are in your favor.
The Simplest Card Counting Systems for Beginners
There are three key strategies of blackjack card counting that beginners should familiarise themselves with. The first of these is arguably the simplest and one of the best card-counting strategies around, but we’ll introduce you to all three right here.
- Hi-Lo Strategy: The most common method and an easy card counting strategy for beginners, the Hi-Lo option involves adding 1 (+1) to your count when 2s through 6s appear, doing nothing when 7s through 9s appear, and subtracting one (-1) when 10s through aces pop up. This number is your running count. To establish the true count, you simply need to divide the blackjack running count by the number of decks remaining. You’ll want to raise your bets when the true count rises and lower them when it falls.
- KO (Knockout) System: There is no need for a true count conversion with the KO system. Here, 2s through 7s are counted as +1, while 10s through Aces count as -1. Eights and nines won’t count. With 2 decks, you’ll bet one unit when the count is zero or less. You’ll then bet 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 units when the count is +1, +2, +3, +4 or +5, and so on. If you’re playing with six to eight decks, a count of 0 or less, +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5, is met with wagers of 2, 4, 8, 10 or 12 units, respectively.
- Red 7 System: In this system, high cards (Aces and 10s) have values of -1. Low cards (2s through 6s) have values of +1. 8s and 9s are worth nothing. Black 7s are worth 0, but red 7s count as +1. This unbalanced technique uses a pivot (the point when you know your advantage has risen by 1% or higher since the start) to help you decide how to bet.
Step-by-Step Guide to Practicing Card Counting
All the best blackjack card counting systems have their own ways of counting, especially when it comes to deciding which cards receive what total. However, most work in a similar way, which is like so:
- Almost all card-counting strategies have +1, 0 and -1 values. Learn them and pay attention to what value each card should be according to your game.
- Practice keeping a running count when playing. It is ideal to learn to do this with multiple decks.
- You’ll need to rapidly convert the running count to a true count in the Hi-Lo system, among a few others. Be sure to practice that before you play for real money.
- Get used to adjusting your bets based on the count advantage. Learn when to raise or lower your bets and by how much based on the count.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Blackjack card counting isn’t tricky, but like many online casino mistakes, you may make errors when starting out. To help you avoid costly missteps, Go Spin’s blackjack experts share four top tips for success!
- Don’t lose track of the count. If you do, don’t guess what it is. Start over from the beginning.
- Don’t start over-betting too soon. Be confident and sure that the count is correct before increasing your bets.
- If you’re playing in a land-based casino, you’ll need to master card counting with stealth. If you’re too obvious, you may end up ejected from a casino or, worse still, banned.
- Always practice card counting at home with a deck of cards. Hone your skills at home before counting cards in casinos via real money games.
Can You Still Use Card Count in Modern Casinos?
Most online casinos have software and algorithms that can detect patterns in gameplay. The way you bet, how you bet, and other aspects can be monitored and analysed. However, most of the time, it’ll go unnoticed. In brick-and-mortar casinos, things are trickier. Refusing to bet when the count is negative, not tipping, not talking, looking at other’s blackjack cards, and regularly placing a minimum bet after a shuffle are sometimes signs of card counting.
As a general rule, it’s trickier to count cards in RNG table games, as the “decks” are “shuffled” automatically after each deal. Live casino games give you more wiggle room for this, but the fast-paced nature of these games makes them challenging to play when counting cards. Not impossible, but challenging.
Best Live Casinos for Blackjack Card Counters
If you fancy blackjack card counting in live casinos, where should you play? Go Spin recommends casinos with fair rules and, ideally, games where you know how many decks feature from the start. Live dealer blackjack games that allow strategic gameplay are a plus. It also helps if your preferred casino supports games from established brands, such as Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play, as these are certified, fair, live blackjack games.
Final Thoughts
Blackjack card counting is all about two disciplines – practice and patience. You must learn the basics skills, and that takes time. You must also have your knowledge of running and true counts down to a tee so you won’t be visibly calculating at the tables. Go Spin encourages you to count cards in low-stakes games first or with friends at home, both of which are relatively safe environments to learn card counting.
FAQ
How long does it take to learn card counting?
That depends on how quickly you’ll learn the core principles.
You can learn the basics of card counting in minutes, but mastering it takes weeks of practice. Dedicate time to sharpen your skills for real casino play!
Do live dealer blackjack games allow card counting?
In theory, yes. It all comes down to how often the decks are shuffled. As a human dealer does that, there’s more room for card counting than in, say, RNG blackjack games.
How does deck penetration affect card counting?
The deeper into the shoe, the more decks you’ll get through. The deeper the deck penetration, the easier it is for you to count cards and get an accurate, true count.
What bankroll do I need for card counting?
There isn’t one particular bankroll that’s important. It depends on how much you bet. However, if you want to count cards and increase your bets based on favourable counts, you may want a larger-than-normal budget.
Is card counting illegal in online casinos?
Officially, no. Online casinos can’t prove you’re counting cards. They only have algorithms that can flag it. However, if they can prove that you are card counting, you may see your winnings or account blocked. It’s incredibly unlikely, though.
