How to count Blackjack cards ?

Any online blackjack player has likely heard of card counting.

Sparking great interest, the subject of countless discussions, and inspiring many books and movies, this strategy has always held a special fascination for players.

However, while everyone talks about it, few players truly know how to apply it, and even fewer can make the most of it.

So, what is it exactly?

The principle of card counting in Blackjack

In blackjack, card counting involves keeping track of the cards dealt to determine the number of high and low cards remaining in the shoe, so you can adjust your bet accordingly.

Unlike roulette and other casino games, blackjack probabilities change depending on the composition of the shoe.

Since the cards are drawn without replacement, each draw affects the composition of future hands.

Therefore, after each deal, if the count shows that the shoe contains more high cards (cards worth 10: 10s and face cards) than low cards, the shoe is said to be “hot.”

In this situation, the player has a statistical advantage over the house. The dealer is more likely to “bust” (exceed 21), while the player has a better chance of hitting a blackjack and receiving stronger starting hands.

The player should then take advantage of this statistical edge by increasing their bets to maximize potential winnings.

If successful, the player must remain focused and continue counting to adjust their bet in the opposite direction if the shoe becomes “cold.”

How to count cards

There are different counting systems, the most popular and simplest being the Hi-Low (or Hi-Lo) system.

Developed by Edward O. Thorp, it assigns a value of high (+1), low (-1), or neutral (0) to each card. In this system, cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 each count as +1; Aces, face cards, and 10s count as -1; and cards 7, 8, and 9 have a value of 0.

To be effective, the count should start from the beginning of the game.

Let’s take a practical example. After the initial hands, the dealer deals the following cards: 7, 6, Jack, 3, Ace, 8, and 4. The player should adjust their count after each card is dealt as follows: +0 +1 -1 +1 -1 +0 +1. This results in a final count of +1.

When the count is positive, as in this case, it means there are more high cards left in the shoe. The player can then adjust their bet accordingly.

The true count

Once the count is done, it's essential to consider another factor: the number of cards remaining in the shoe. The closer you get to the end of the deck, the more accurate and decisive the count becomes.

After estimating the number of remaining cards, you then divide the running count by the number of remaining cards. If the resulting ratio is positive, the player can increase their bet while readjusting their strategy.

Use in casinos

Contrary to what some might think, card counting in blackjack is not illegal. However, each land-based casino is free to ban players who use this strategy from their tables.

Finally, there are other more complex counting methods like Shuffle Tracking or Ace Sequencing. However, none of them are necessarily more advantageous than the Hi-Lo system.

The advantage of playing in a live casino is that players can easily count cards in blackjack.

The casino may detect the player's technique, but proving it can be difficult. The live casino reserves the right to ban the player from the game.

Can you count cards in online Blackjack ?

Yes, it is possible to count cards while playing online blackjack, but it may not always be the most profitable strategy.

Here's why :

For card counting to be profitable, three key factors need to align:

1. Favorable Rules : The game rules must be fair enough to allow a card counter to overcome the house edge.
2. Adequate Deck Penetration : A significant portion of the deck must be dealt before a shuffle. Most online casinos shuffle after dealing four decks, which limits the impact of counting.
3. Sufficient Rounds per Hour : To maximize profits, you need to play a high number of rounds per hour. Online casinos average about 50 rounds per hour, compared to 100 in physical casinos, meaning your earnings potential is cut in half.

Additionally, while tools exist that help track cards, they are generally banned by online casinos.