Count Your Winnings Carefully: Learn the Art of Card Counting

Card counting is a technique used by players in the game of Blackjack to gain an edge over the casino. Many players misconceive card counting as a technique that allows them to memorize every card the dealer dealt. If that were the case, many players would eventually lose track of the cards as they count.

Today’s casino news provides you with vital information that may not be given to you at the casino, but can surely find in our Blackjack guide.

Let’s get started!

How Does Card Counting Function?

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games played around the globe. And when players count cards in Blackjack, it gives them a statistical advantage in the game. It involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt from the deck or shoe, to determine the likelihood of certain cards being dealt next. And with such knowledge, you can play to your advantage by staking low or high.

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Best Decks for Card Counting

A deck containing more high-value cards is a good sign for the player because there’s a high possibility of getting a Blackjack or close. But a deck with more low-value cards is not advantageous for a player but beneficial to the dealer. Why? Because the player is unlikely to hit a blackjack, and the dealer is likely not to bust.

How To Count Cards In Blackjack

A few Card counting techniques can be used while playing Blackjack, but we’ll focus on the High-Low counting strategy. It is the most straightforward and most commonly used strategy among players. 

It’s important to know that it works only in land-based casinos that shuffle the deck infrequently. Counting cards in blackjack online games is impossible because the computer often shuffles the deck. 

Assign a number to the card values

The first step in this Card counting technique is assigning numbers to the card values. Following the values of cards used in Blackjack, they can number the following way:

10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace: -1

9, 8, and 7: 0

6, 5, 4, 3, and 2: +1

Count the cards

Now that we have assigned a number to the card values, we can begin counting. Let’s take an example.

If your initial two cards show a three (+1) and a five (+1), the count equals +2. If the dealer then deals a 7 (0) and a 4 (+1), the total count is +3. 

The running count alone is not sufficient because it doesn’t account for the number of decks or cards remaining in the shoe. So, calculate the true count by dividing the running count by the estimated number of decks left in the shoe. This is done to normalize the count and make it comparable across different deck sizes.

Since the total count equals +3, the next card will likely be high-value. But the next card is likely low-value if the total count is around -2. Therefore, with this number, you can play to your advantage and even decide to place Blackjack side bets if you deem fit.

Advantages of Card Counting

A player’s chances of winning can be significantly increased just by the art of counting cards. It can reduce the casino’s house edge, be it classic Blackjack, Double Exposure Blackjack, etc. If you can reduce the already low house edge, it increases your chances of winning more.

Another advantage is that players can subtly push against the casino without displaying an aggressive playing style. If you don’t give yourself away, the casino will keep playing without suspicion.

As much as you take your time to enjoy counting cards in the casino, make sure not to overdo it, as you can be kicked or banned from playing at such a casino. Card counting is not forbidden, but is also not praised.

Disadvantages of Card Counting

It is a known rule that card counting is not criminal, but many casinos are against it as a technique players can use while playing. If found counting cards, you risk being jailed or banned from playing.

If you want to play at the casino for fun, counting cards can drastically reduce the enjoyment you plan to have because you’ll eventually get lost in the counting strategy you are so fixated on. So only count cards when you are not playing for entertainment.

Sometimes it might seem impossible to win when counting, and you can be discouraged. In case you are, you always have the option to keep playing or go for Blackjack Insurance.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that card counting is not a foolproof strategy and does not guarantee winning. Casinos are aware of card counting and take measures to prevent it, such as using multiple decks, shuffling frequently, and monitoring players for suspicious behavior. Additionally, successfully implementing card counting requires practice, concentration, and a thorough understanding of the chosen counting system.

Nowadays, most people play at online casinos, and one of the best destinations is Slots Paradise Casino. The act of card counting doesn’t work online, which is why you should learn other blackjack strategies to play and increase your winning chances, like reading content from our American casino guides section.

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