Card counting in blackjack is a technique that, when used correctly, can give players an advantage over the dealer. It’s not easy to learn and requires a lot of practice, but it can be profitable for those who take the time to master the skill. This article will discuss the basics of how to count cards in blackjack, including popular systems, the ideal games for counters and how you can practice.
Card counters work on the principle that high cards favor players and low cards favor dealers. When there are more high cards in the deck, players can double their bets and increase their chances of winning. In contrast, when there are more low cards in the deck, dealers will have a higher chance of busting their hand when they’re holding (12-16 total) and will lose more money when doubling.
There are a number of different ways to card count in blackjack, but all of them depend on assigning values to each card. For example, the Hi-Lo system assigns +1 for cards 2-6, -1 for cards 10 through Ace and 0 for all other cards. When a new card is dealt, the tally is updated. The goal is to keep a running total of the number of high cards in the deck.
Keeping track of the running total can be difficult, especially when multiple decks are involved in the game. In these cases, players must calculate the true count, which is a figure that takes into account the concentration of high cards and low cards in the remaining decks. This will help you determine when to raise or lower your bets.
Another way to speed up the calculations is by counting in pairs. For example, if a pair of 5s is dealt, you can assume that the count is -5, since 5+5=10. This will save a lot of time and energy.
Although card counting is not illegal, it’s heavily frowned upon in casinos and can be dangerous if the casino suspects that you are using the strategy. Some people have even gone as far as dressing in disguises to conceal their identities and distract pit bosses. However, these tactics are largely superstitious and will not prevent a casino from refusing your action or booting you.
If you’re thinking about trying your luck at card counting, the best place to start is by practicing on an online blackjack game. This way, you can get a feel for how the game works and see whether or not you can successfully count cards without the distraction of other players or a live casino. If you can successfully count cards, you’ll be well on your way to reducing the house edge and turning blackjack into a profitable long-term game. Good luck!