Online Casino: What is Blackjack Card Counting?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Gone are the days when players settle for boring casino games. They constantly find an extra thrill that comes with risky betting activities. One such challenging yet rewarding classic card game is the blackjack.

Blackjack has become a magnet for thrill-seekers in the gambling community. However, with its fast-paced nature, players must take calculated risks and employ strategic gameplay to win significant money. Among the popular techniques many professional gamblers use is blackjack card counting.

Theory Behind Blackjack Card Counting

Card counting can give you an insight about the card values, allowing you to adjust your bets and make informed decisions. Therefore, it becomes one of the key skills to learn before playing blackjack.

Counting cards is a blackjack strategy where you keep track of the number of high and low cards in the dealer’s deck. As you monitor the cards, you will know which card will likely appear in the next hand.

Reality check—the house always has an advantage in all casino games. However, once you implement effective blackjack card counting, it is possible to deplete the house edge and turn the tables in your favour. The theory behind this strategy came from Dr. Edward Thorp’s book—Beat the Dealer.

In his book, Dr. Thorps assigned values to cards like +1 for low cards and -1 for high cards. A high positive count indicates more high cards are left, which increases the player’s chances of getting a blackjack. On the other hand, cards like 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s. and 7s give an advantage to the dealer.

Additionally, Dr. Thorp discovered that when you removed a card from the deck, it altered the house’s advantage. For instance, removing all the 7s from a deck will put the odds in your favour. Once you have the edge, it is the right time to place bigger bets.

Popular Card Counting Systems

Card counting takes time before you can master it. You need to study the popular card counting systems and determine which one is most effective for you.  There are counting systems suitable for beginners and complex ones for veteran players. Here are some of them:

Hi-Lo System

The Hi-Lo card counting system, or the Plus/Minus system was created by Harvey Dubner. He simplified Thorps’s Ten Count to make it easier for players to understand basic card counting. This system is designed for beginners and intermediate blackjack players.

Furthermore, the Hi-Lo count is more straightforward than the other systems. When you sit at a blackjack table, your count will start at 0. Then, you will be adding 1, subtracting 1, and adding 0 for every single card that is dealt. If you miss cards, your count gets off, and you might shift your odds without your knowledge.

Here are the respective values for each card in a deck:

·         Count +1 – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

·         Count 0 – 7, 8, 9

·         Count -1 – 10, J, K, A

As you can see, there are three groups of card values. The 2 to 6 small cards are counted as plus 1 as they played, the 7 to 9 cards are considered neutral and do not change as they are played, and the 10 to Ace are counted as minus one as they played. The Hi-Lo system works like a tug-of-war, where each card can change the count one way or the other.

KO System

Balanced card counting is when you count an entire deck of cards and end up with a count of 0. On the other hand, an unbalanced card counting system is where you will not end up with a count 0 after counting an entire deck of cards. The most widely known unbalanced counting system is called the KO card count.

The KO system, or the Knock-Out card system, adds an extra small card to the Hi-Lo count, where seven will be included in count +1. To make it clear, here is the list that shows card value in the KO count:

·         Count +1 for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

·         Count 0 for  8 and 9

·         Count -1 for 10, J, K, and A

By using the KO system, you will end up with a positive 4, as there are four sevens in every deck. The imbalance in this system is created to avoid the need to make true count conversations.

Hi-Opt System

The Highly optimum counting (Hi-Opt), often called the Einstein Count, is a strategy designed for more advanced blackjack players. It works similarly to the Hi-Lo card counting system but includes a few additional rules and card value changes.

The Hi-Opt counting system is simple, but you need to focus more on the table. It is based on adding and subtracting the number 1. You can review this to understand the card and their values:

·         Count +1 – 3, 4, 5, 6

·         Count 0 – 2, 7, 8, 9, A

·         Count -1 – 10, J, Q, K

You can consider learning this counting system to become a professional blackjack player. This is more mathematically advanced and can offer larger edge for players. In fact, some gamblers consider this to be a superior counting method.

Thorp’s Ten-Count System

Dr. Edward Thorp is a mathematics professor that systemised the Ten-Count system. In this method, you will need to know the following card values, including:

·         Count +4 – Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

·         Count -9 – 10, Jack, King, and Queen

As your count goes positive, the bigger bets you need to place. Conversely, a count starting at 0 or negative means you need to lower your stakes and return to a minimum bet.

For instance, you have monitored the cards with a sequence of 5, 2, Ace, Queen, 3, 4, 8, 9, 7, and King. You will count this as +4, +4, +4, -9, +4, +4, +4, +4, +4, -9, respectively.

Then, you must start the computation where +4 multiplied by 8 equals 32, and -9 plus -9 equals -18. Hence, 32 minus 18 equals +14.

+14 is considered relatively high, which means you can place bigger bets as your winning chances are significant.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Card Counting

Use Online Training Tools

There are lots of training tools available online. These can help you practice card counting and determine your areas of growth. Some online blackjack games have simulations, enabling you to practice your counting skills without the pressure of playing in a real casino.

Play With Your Friends

Playing with your friends can help you understand how to count cards. You will not fear testing the waters; you know you are just playing for fun. However, when you count cards in blackjack, it is essential to take note of the effective strategies and apply them in a real game.

Play in a Reliable Live Casino

You can play in a live casino once you feel confident about your counting skills. Remember to start with low-stake games and familiarise yourself with the risks involved. Practice makes your skills better, and with constant effort, you can master the art of card counting.

Conclusion

While many believe that card counting is only for geniuses, it is not impossible to master. Card counting requires effort and dedication to become an expert user of this strategy. You need continuous practice and learning to succeed in online gambling in Singapore.

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