Card Counting- Be A Pro at Counting Cards

Card Counting
Card Counting

Those who love playing online casino blackjack or blackjack, in general, must know about card counting. in addition, they must have watched a few blackjack movies. It is very rare for these movies not to have anything to do with card counting.

As Casino Hype, we understand that you might want to find out more about card counting, that is why we have the Ultimate Card Counting Guide. In this guide, we will tell you what there is to know about card counting. However, it is very hard for players to count cards at an online casino.

Please note, we said very hard, not impossible. However, today we will introduce players to the history of counting cards, and everything else that comes in between.

History of Card Counting

Everything needs to have a starting point, which is why before we get to the card counting, we will tell you how it originated. Dr Edward O. Thorp is one of the founding fathers of card counting.  Dr. Thorp, a mathematical guru managed to sketch out the foundation of card counting. He released a book in 1962, “Beat the Dealer”. In this book, he elaborated on all that there was to counting cards at casinos. Other names that are profound in card counting history are Stanford Wong, Kent Uston and Arnold Synder. All of which documented their discoveries in various books. Wong in “Professional Blackjack”, Utson wrote “Million Dollar Blackjack” and Snyder wrote “Blackbelt in Blackjack”.

What is Card Counting?

Now that you know a bit about the beginning of card counting, let us tell you what it is. This is often referred to as card reading and is used in the game of blackjack.  This would require players to determine the next probable hand that will be dealt in the game. By so doing, the card counter will do all that it can to reduce the house edge that the casino has over the game. This they do by keeping track of all the cards that the dealer has, the cards dealt and those that are yet to be dealt. In order to pull this off, they also need the high and low values of the card. That being said if you ever venture into card counting, you will be able to make yourself a fortune.

The Thrill of Blackjack Card Counting

For those who have never attempted to count cards, it is quite a mystery to them. The reason for this is that those who count cards seem to be at another level of risk-taking. That is why many who hear about this are so eager to find out more about it.

Or rather,  because there is real money involved. When there is real money involved, people can go to some amazing lengths. It would explain why people are so fascinated by card counting. As it is a way to make some money while having fun and adding a little risk to it.

The Good and Bad of Card Counting

Like everything in the world, there needs to be a balance. That is why before we go any further, we will tell you the good and the bad that comes with you counting cards at a casino.

The Good

  1. The good that comes with you counting is that there is a lot of real money to be won.
  2. Another thing about card counting is that in most places it is a gray area. Such that there are no laws that prohibit users from using it at casinos.
  3. Lastly, card counting is just another strategy that one can use at the casino.  

The Bad

  1. Casinos will kick you out once they find out that are counting cards.
  2. The card-counting strategy is one that takes some time to master. Therefore, it needs someone who is really dedicated to it.
  3. It can be a bit challenging to count cards alone. Therefore, people usually count cards as a team.

How to Count Cards

Since you have made it this far, it means that you know all about the risks involved, but still want to go on. Hence, let’s now get down to the details of what really happens when you want to count cards at blackjack.

When you count cards at blackjack, you need to start from the time that the first card is dealt. A low-value card will add to your count by one point and a high-value card subtracts one point from your running count. All cards from 7, 8, and 9 are considered neutrals and are not counted. This is in the high-lo system.

Players can try to count cards by themselves by using one deck and counting through all the cards. This will allow you to check your card skills it will also test your patience. If your count is right, it should end up at 0. It may not be easy for the first few tries, however, like all things, it gets easier with time.

After some time, you can then move to counting 2 cards at a time and dealing the cards as they would do in blackjack. After some time, you should be able to recognize the various combinations. This makes the card count automatically to you. This is the best part of the high-lo card counting system.

This is one of the simplest card-counting techniques. We will also explain a few complex ones as well.

Card Counting Practice

Here we look at the different card-counting techniques that players can use to count cards. Just a slight reminder, layers have to make sure that they avoid attracting attention as they do so.

Simple Techniques to Count Cards

Firstly, we will start with the simple techniques, and then go on to the more complex ones.

High-Lo System

The high-lo system is one of the simplest methods that one can adopt when they are counting cards. This system is basically running a counting technique where each card has a specific value.

However, they will increase the chance of hand adding up to 20. A deck that has many high-value cards, is a good thing for a player as the chances of the dealer going bust is high.

However, in a situation when the deck has a majority of low-value cards, from 2-6, the dealer has n edge over the player. The fact that the dealer must draw on hands that range from 12 to 16, leave a lot of possible outcomes open. Meaning that the chances of a dealer going bust are low.

However, in a reverse scenario, where the deck has a lot of high values, the chances of the dealer going bust are high.

The True Count

The true count in card counting
The true coun

When using the true count, a player will determine the outcome by the number of cards reaming in the deck. The closer that one gets to the bottom of the deck, the more accurate that outcome will be. A player will then have to divide their running count with the approximate numbers of reaming decks. This will lead to you getting a more correct count or the true count.

By converting your running count to a true count, you are more likely to be accurate. Take for running instance, your running count is 4, and you estimate the remaining decks in the shoe to be 2. Then your true count will be +4/2 =+2.

If your count is positive after using the true count, you are more likely to score a fortune by increasing your bet size. This is because the true count is more accurate.

Learn card counting and become a pro! Discover everything about card counting and master the art of counting cards for success in casinos.

 

Complicated Techniques

Everything needs to evolve, and that is why for as long as card counting has been around, people have tried to make it better. Complicated systems are harder in card counting.

Back Counting or Wonging

Stanford Wong is the creator of this card-counting strategy. Furthermore, it is in many of his blackjack books. What a player needs to do is follow the strategies above. The player will be observing the game and counting cards as they do so. Then, join the game when the play is favourable.

The major backdrop to doing this is that a floor manager can easily spot your intentions. The good is that you can reduce your losses in the game. Another not-so-great thing about Wonging is that many casinos have banned joining the game mid-play. As a result, making it impossible to carry out this strategy.

Why Opt for Simple Card Counting?

There are reasons that one has for using certain systems. In that regard, we will look at the reason why players would opt for simple card-counting systems.

One of the reasons why we would use a simple system is that it is less detectable by casino employees. Therefore, that user has a higher chance of actually getting away with it.

Another reason is that players can easily master the easier system than those that are more complicated. Therefore, meaning that the player will have more chances of winning real money when they use it.