Learn Blackjack Card Counting | Master Blackjack

Guide to Blackjack Card Counting - Learn how to Card Count

Blackjack card counting is increasingly gaining popularity as it is not the only way for one to turn the tables on the Casinos. Card counting does work, and if done properly will give you an advantage over the casino of over 5%. Though 5% may not seem much, in the long-term, your winnings would be magnified, and some even say - guaranteed.

Before we jump right in, many would question: Is Card Counting Illegal? Card Counting is perfectly legal. However, Casinos frown upon it because you're using your brains to take away their house advantage and more importantly, they will go bankrupt if everyone playing blackjack is card counting. So you may get thrown out if you're counting out loudly.

Step 1 - Master Basic Strategy

First you master basic strategy. Basic strategy is the ONLY optimal way of playing Blackjack and gives you maximum returns for your money. Blackjack basic strategy answers the question of WHEN to bet big, but not HOW to bet big. So master blackjack basic strategy first before learning card counting

Step 2 - Learn to Card Count!

Now I'll introduce to you the High/Low system. All high cards are a -1, all mid-valued cards are neutral and all low cards are a +1. All cards are given a value, and their accumulated value is known as the running count. All low cards 2-6 are given a +1 value. 7-9 are neutral cards and are 0. All ten value cards and ace are given a -1. So for example, we grab a deck of cards and start flipping them over, 4, 5, Q, A, 2, 7, 6, 3. So given their respectively values, the count would be +1, +2, +1, 0, +1, +1, +2. +3. So keeping flipping the cards and learn the running count. A full deck of cards would be a neutral 0 when you are done with all the cards.

Step 3 - Change your running count to the true count

The running count does not take into account all of the decks. So, in order to place bets, we must know the true count. This is done by dividing the running count by the amount of unseen decks. For example, in a 5-deck game, 1 deck has been dealt and the running count is 16 (hot), we take 16 and divide it by the number of unseen decks which is 4. 16/4 = +4.

Step 4 - Use your true count to evaluate how much you should bet.

The higher your true count, the higher the amount of money you should wager in card counting. This is because you would want to make MORE money when the deck is hot, and wager less so you would lose less when the deck is cold. A rough estimation how many units to bet would be:

+1 - 1 unit
+2 - 2 unit
+3 - +4 - 3 unit
+5 - +6 - 4 units
+7 - +8 - 5units
+9 and more - 6units

There you go, that sums up how to card count. It is not easy to learn how to card count in blackjack as it does get quite tedious especially when learning. But once mastered, it can give you the edge over the house. Many people do not practice card counting because they mainly lack the motivation or the desire to do so. With the skill of card counting at your fingertips, now is time for you to make that choice.