Blackjack and Card Counting

Card Counting is a term that’s often used when referring to the game of Blackjack. In Blackjack, unlike other games such as Texas Holdem Poker and free online bingo games, a game strategy can be used to improve a player’s chance of winning by up to 35%.

Card counting refers to the principle that keeping track of the ratio between high cards to low cards in a deck can improve a player’s odds of winning a hand. A deck with a higher amount of cards 10 and higher is better for a player than a deck with lower cards because the chance of getting a blackjack is higher. The actual science of card counting isn’t difficult to master because players don’t have to memorize any ratios or odds of receiving a certain hand, as is done in Texas Holdem Poker.

Without going into too much detail, card counting utilizes a point score system for each playing card. One of the most common card counting schemes is the Hi-Lo system, first developed in 1963. In this system, the running card count changes as cards are dealt and players keep track of the total count number. In particular, cards two through six are assigned a value of +1, tens and higher are assigned a value of -1, and cards 7, 8, and 9 equal zero. What’s nice about this system is that it’s a balanced card counting system – a total count of all 52 cards equals zero. For example, if you’re playing in a game where the current card count (of the cards already dealt) is negative, then you have a higher chance of getting a 10 or higher, or a blackjack.

Contrary to popular belief, card counting isn’t illegal. A player could walk into a casino, sit down at a Blackjack table, and start card counting. However, since Casinos are private businesses, owners have the right to throw out card counters. After all, the casino’s in business to make money and not lose money. Just look at all their slot machine and Roulette wheels!

So how to casinos prevent card counters from playing in their casinos? Casinos can harass suspicious individuals, use photo books of known card counters, and utilize computerized video surveillance at the Blackjack tables. Dealers can also shuffle more often and change specific rules for splitting, doubling down, etc….

If a player does decide to utilize card counting, he should make sure that he does it inconspicuously. Otherwise, he will be playing Blackjack at home with his friends or poker at his favorite online poker room.