- How To Count Cards In Blackjack With Multiple Decks Posts
- How To Count Cards In Blackjack With Multiple Decks For Sale
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.
The easiest way to estimate the 'true' count from the running count is to divide the running tally by the number of decks in the game. A count of +8 is worth +8 in a single-deck game (8/1), but only +4 in a two-deck game (8/2), +2 in a four-deck game (8/4), and +1 in an eight-deck game (8/8). There are 2 decks remaining, so our True Count is +4 / 2, or +2. In the casino, you can get an idea of how many unplayed decks are left by looking at the shoe (if it's made of Perspex), or by looking at how many cards are in the discard pile. Generally, the higher the true count, the better it is for the player. Card counting is simply tagging plus values and minus values, and you can do that with any number of decks. However, it does get trickier the more decks you add-in. When you add in ore decks you need to divide the count (running count) by the number of decks (true count) - more on that below. How to Count Cards in Blackjack (21). You arrive at an accurate true count after you divide the running count by the number of undealt decks. Just to give you an example, suppose you are playing blackjack with eight decks and have reached a running count of +8 while there are four undealt decks in the. In blackjack, if you count cards the right way, you may come across some very hot shoes and make the best of that. Using a Team to Count Cards Card counting techniques were made popular by teams such as the infamous MIT team that stripped Las Vegas casinos of millions of dollars.
Jump to Section:What is Blackjack Card Counting
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!
How to Count Cards in Blackjack
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.
How to Use the Card Counts
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.
Is Counting Cards Illegal in Blackjack?
How To Count Cards In Blackjack With Multiple Decks Posts
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.
How To Count Cards In Blackjack With Multiple Decks For Sale
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.
How to use Blackjack Counting Online
Card counting is something that anyone can do in a land-based casino, however it is not possible to count cards online at regular blackjack games.
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.
- 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.
How to Use the Card Counts
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.
Is Counting Cards Illegal in Blackjack?
How To Count Cards In Blackjack With Multiple Decks Posts
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.
How To Count Cards In Blackjack With Multiple Decks For Sale
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.
How to use Blackjack Counting Online
Card counting is something that anyone can do in a land-based casino, however it is not possible to count cards online at regular blackjack games.
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.
Blackjack Card Counting FAQs
- Assign a value to every card – By doing this, you can gauge when to bet higher when the count is high and when to bet low when the count is lower.
- 'Running Count' – The running court is what a player tallies up as each card is dealt. This can be used to divide by the decks left to reach the true count.
- 'True Count' – Is usually the running count divided by the number of remaining decks which are yet to be dealt.
- Change your bets – Once you have assigned each card with a value, and you have established the true count, you can increase/decrease your bets by what will be dealt.
The simple answer is no. You don't have to count cards to win at Blackjack. However, card counting is one of the most famous advantage methods in gambling and can give you a real edge over other players.
Yes. You can count cards playing Blackjack online. Online casinos use software which shuffles cards every time a new hand is dealt. This makes counting cards more difficult, meaning land-based casinos are a more viable option.
