- Card Counting Rules Worksheet
- Counting Rules Stats
- Counting Rule Examples
- Card Counting Rules Online
- Card Counting Rules Meaning
- Card Counting Game
- Card Counting Rules 2020
So, you have decided to try your hand at mastering card counting – one of the most popular money-making strategies for professional gamblers ever crafted for a casino game. Does it work? Is it worth it? The answer to both those questions is a resounding yes, but it’s far from an easy way to make money.
Card Counting Rules Worksheet
To become successful at card counting, you must practice the ability to memorize large amounts of numbers at a time and countdown a deck with great speed, all the while looking like your average joe player having some casual fun at the Blackjack table. Moreover, the amount of variance in Blackjack means that card counting can prove a fruitful method only in the long run, after hundreds of hours of play.
With that in mind, let’s begin.
Hi-Lo
Moreover, the amount of variance in Blackjack means that card counting can prove a fruitful method only in the long run, after hundreds of hours of play. With that in mind, let’s begin. Initially introduced in the distant 1963, the Hi-Lo card counting is the most efficient. How Card Counting Works. Typically, casino blackjack is dealt from a shoe of somewhere between six and eight decks. The cards are dealt until a certain amount of the shoe has been dealt – often, something like 75% of the shoe will be used before reshuffling.
Initially introduced in the distant 1963, the Hi-Lo card counting is the most efficient and naturally most difficult method out there. However, don’t let this strike fear into your heart, as the difficult part lies in dedicating yourself to practice and memorization for a longer period of time, not having to tinker with advanced mathematics.
The strategy itself is simple to grasp. The basic concept of Hi-Lo card counting is increasing your bet when the true count (more on that later) is high, and decreasing it when it is low. Worry not, we will guide you right through it!
To begin with, we must assign value to each card. Cards 2,3,4,5 and 6 have a value of “+1”, whereas cards 10 through A are valued as “-1”. 7, 8 and 9 are neutral cards with a value of “0”.
Cards | Value |
---|---|
2,3,4,5,6 | +1 |
10, J, Q, K, A | -1 |
7, 8, 9 | 0 |
These values are fixed and serve as the backbone to the Hi-Lo card counting method. They will help us determine something called the “running count.” This is easy, we just combine and subtract the values of the cards that have been dealt so far.
For example: If the cards dealt so far have been 10, 2, 5, 9, Q and K, the running count would be -1.
10 (-1) + 2 (+1) + 5 (+1) + 9 (0) + Q (-1) + K (-1) = -1
One of the most delicate parts of Hi-Lo card counting is that you must always know the running count, and there are no shortcuts to success here – practice makes perfect. Remember that you must maintain knowledge of the running count based on ALL visible cards, including the dealer’s.
Next, we must determine the “true count.” To do this, we divide the running count to the number of decks that are still in the game.
Example: If the running count is +4, and the number of decks remaining is 2, the true count is then 2.
Of course, it’s impossible to know the exact number of decks left in-game just by looking at the pile of cards still left, but a rough estimation will suffice. If there are about 120 cards left, rounding it up to 2 decks is fine. You will get a much better feel for this over time. Jackpot capital codes.
Finally, what remains is for you to follow through with the basic premise of all card counting systems, which is increasing your bet while the true count is high, and vice-versa. How much exactly to bet and exactly at which count will depend on you – the player.
Many casinos nowadays have software trying to prevent card counting that knows all the things you do about it, so being a little unpredictable can go a long way to your long-term success. This is why it is also highly recommended you vary up your bet sizes but always stick to a predetermined minimum and maximum bet.
That is all as far as Hi-Lo card counting is concerned. As you can see, the strategy itself is simple to understand, but make no mistake – it’s far from simple to implement. Theory and practice are completely different beasts here.
Keeping score of the true count while attempting to avoid suspicion in a real-life environment packed with pressure can be quite a challenge. This is why we recommending you start your card counting ventures by mastering the Knock Out system, explained below.
KO (Knock Out)
The KO is a much more beginner-friendly variant of Hi-Lo card counting. The basics of the KO are similar to the Hi-Lo method, with only a few changes that remove the need of keeping a true count, simplifying the system by a great deal. You can still keep track of the true count in the KO without compromising the system’s accuracy, but in that case why not use the Hi-Lo card counting method, to begin with.
The card values in the KO are very similar, but this time we value the 7 as a +1.
Cards | Value |
---|---|
2,3,4,5,6,7 | +1 |
10, J, Q, K, A | -1 |
8, 9 | 0 |
Counting Rules Stats
One more important difference in the KO system is that the running count does not start with 0. Instead, you will have to calculate it by taking the number of decks in play, multiplying that number by -4, then subtracting 4 from that amount.
A game with 8 decks will have an initial running count of -28. (8 x -4) -4 = -28. Don’t forget that crucial minus, otherwise, you’d be going all in on the first round.
Counting Rule Examples
The cost of the Knock Out’s simplicity is in its efficiency. Simply put, it’s not as accurate as Hi-Lo card counting, but it’s still good enough to start with.
Ridiculously Easy Knock Out (REKO)
Indeed, it gets even easier than the KO, but the REKO is not necessarily worse in terms of efficiency.
The REKO determines the initial running count by multiplying the number of decks by -2. In an 8-deck game, the initial running count would be -16. (8 x -2) = -16. All card values remain the same as in the KO.
The most interesting aspect about the REKO is that instead of it being simply a less accurate version of the KO, its accuracy only dwindles as the number of decks decreases. Because of the way the initial running count is calculated, REKO is a strategy which is more accurate the higher number of decks in-game. This makes it useful even to masters of the Hi-Lo card counting method.
Ace to Five Count
The Ace to Five count was devised to work best on tables with 4 to 8 decks, and it is without a doubt the easiest card counting method in existence. At least, the easiest method that is actually profitable. It also has the added benefit of greatly minimizing your risk of looking suspicious, since you are only paying attention to the A and 5’s.
However, it is detrimental that you establish your minimum and maximum bets, just make sure those numbers are a power of 2. As for the initial running count, it is always 0.
Card Counting Rules Online
This is how the Ace to Five works:
- At the beginning of each deck shoe, bet your minimum. Each 5 that you spot will add a +1 to your count, whereas each A takes -1 from your count.
- If the running count is equal or greater than 2, you should double your last bet. Doubling your last bet should be capped in accordance with your maximum bet. This is why it is important to determine it beforehand.
- If the running count is equal or less than 1, bet the minimum.
![Card counting rules worksheet Card counting rules worksheet](https://www.blackjack.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/5-6-544x1030.jpg)
Card Counting Rules Meaning
Here are more game rules which make the Ace to Five even more beneficial to you.
- Blackjack pays 3:2 (always a must)
- Dealer stands on soft 18
- Double after splitting is allowed
- Re-splitting aces is allowed
A higher betting spread will yield higher return using this method, but even with a low spread, you can expect a 0.30% advantage coming your way in the long run. Assuming you are doing everything correctly, that is.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
If you feel you are ready to take on the challenge of card counting and making a long-term profit off of it, do remember that you must know how to play blackjack and knowledge of basic strategy. It is a set of rules which point to the best play in every possible scenario, hence its importance.
Learning basic strategy has to do more with memorization rather than practice, but keeping full knowledge of basic strategy is a great helping hand regardless if you are trying to count cards or not. Even seasoned veterans of the game will play out most of their bets based on basic strategy, so it’s a no-brainer that a beginner should do the same.
In order to be completely accurate, a system must be based on the effect that removing a card of any value will have on the player’s advantage in the remaining deck. Mathematically, the effect of removing the first card from a deck is shown in the table below.
2 | +0.37% |
3 | +0.44% |
4 | +0.52% |
5 | +0.64% |
6 | +0.45% |
7 | +0.30% |
8 | 0.00 |
9 | -0.13% |
10 | -0.53% |
Ace | -0.49% |
For the next card, the same values would be applied, but would need to be multiplied by 1.02 to be accurate, the third by 1.04, and so on, in order to remain accurate to the proportional values that are available in the remainder of the deck.
Without the assistance of a computer or other calculating device (which are patently disallowed in virtually all casinos), it would be impossible to perform all the calculations necessary to provide a perfect reflection of the player’s advantage while a game is in progress.
Card Counting Systems Compared
Instead, there are a number of card counting systems that use whole numbers that remain constant throughout the counting process to provide an estimation of the advantage. The accuracy of their estimation often comes at the cost of increased complexity, hence difficulty to learn and implement. Here are some of the more popular card counting systems.
High Low Card Counting System
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
The high-low system, used in the tutorial, values low cards (2-6) at +1 andhigh cards (tens and aces) at -1. To give credit where credit is due, this system was developed by Stanford Wong, a prolific author who has authored volumes on almost every casino game.
Red Sevens Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | * | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
Arnold Snyder’s “Red Sevens” system also seems to be derivative of the High-Low system. It is, in all ways, identical High-Low, except that red sevens count as +1 (black ones count as zero). In effect, this gives all sevens the value of +0.5, which is fairly accurate when considering the effect of a seven on the player’s advantage.
Green Fountain Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
Koko Ita’s “Green Fountain” systems is similar to High-Low—the difference being that sevens and nines are not treated as “neutral” cards. Arguably, this is closer to the actual mathematical weight of the cards, as the seven and nine are not completely neutral—but at the same time, the effect of either is less than a third of a percent.
Uston Advanced Plus Minus
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
Card Counting Game
Legendary blackjack professional Ken Uston pioneered this system, which is largely identical to the high-low count, except that deuces are treated as neutral and sevens as dealer-favourable. Weighed against the mathematical impact of the cards, both assumptions are mistakes, but they more or less cancel each other.
Griffin Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Card Counting Rules 2020
Peter Griffin’s card counting system deviates from high-low by treating twos, threes, and aces as neutral and sevens as dealer-favorable. Although this system meets the criterion of being at least 90% accurate, it’s one of the least reliable discussed here.
Unbalanced Tens Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
This system counts all cards except tens as having a value of 1, and the tens as a -2,In effect, it system leads the player to count only the tens, which is worse even than Griffin’s system. Arguably, it’s effective only in estimating the soundness of the “insurance” and “even money” side bets.
High Opt 1 Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
This system is the first of two deviations on the high-low system popularized by Lance Humble and Carl Cooper. The primary difference between this strategy and the original is that aces and deuces are treated as “neutral” cards. Though this would seem to defy common sense, it works out to be a reliable system in computer simulations.
High Opt 2 Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 |
Another of Humble and Cooper’s adjustments on the high-low system is shown to the right.This system introduces varying “weights” for cards. When compared with the absolute effects of removing a card, the four, five, and ten each change the casino odds more than 0.50%, and are valued at twice the normal weight.
Zen Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | -1 |
Arnold Snyder’s “Zen” system places extra value on the four, five, six, and ten. This is essentially correct, although the ace also falls within the same range and is given only a -1 weight.
Wong Halves Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -1 | -2 | -2 |
Among the most accurate counting systems is Stanford Wong’s “halves”, which uses a variety of values to better reflect the actual mathematical impact of cards of varying values. This is arguably the most reliable system available, and produces an accurate estimation in almost 99% of all situations.
Uston APC Card Counting
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | -1 | -3 | 0 |
Ken Uston’s APC system also uses an array of values to assign different weights to each card. As with many systems, the impact of aces and deuces seems to be underestimated—and curiously, a value of +1 is assigned to the eights, which are the only card that is completely neutral. At yet, this system meets the criterion of being at least 90% accurate.
Best Card Counting System
Deciding which system is the “best” is generally a matter of personal preference—balancing the reliability of a system against the feasibility of learning and using it.
All of the systems discussed above produce reliable results. They lead a player to correctly estimate his advantage in at least 90% of all situations. While none are perfect, the High Opt 2, Red Sevens, Uston APC, Wong Halves, and Zen systems all yield results that are closest to perfection (more than 95% accurate).
Ease of learning and implementation, however, is entirely subjective and depends on the mental dexterity of the individual player. Arguably, the “easier” systems are those that do not require you to memorize different values for different cards (i.e., some are plus or minus one, others two, others three). In that case, the Unbalanced Ten, High-Low, High-Opt 1, and Uston plus/minus systems would be considered the easiest.
If you’re looking to learn card counting for the first time, it would be worthwhile to attempt to learn one of the more accurate systems like Blackjack Apprenticeship and if you find it too difficult, downgrade to one of the easier ones. If you already count cards and are looking to switch systems, the best advice is to stick with what you’re using (unless it’s wildly inaccurate). Chances are the mistakes you’ll make in the process of learning a new system will be costly—and the difference between one system and another tends to be a few percent, or a few tenths of a percent.