Black Jack is both a card game and a game of chance. It is a game of chance because, in the end, it is just chance which card is drawn next and there is no skill you can train to get a card you want.
But gambling doesn't mean there aren't spaces to act. Especially in blackjack in particular, the room for maneuver is relatively large, since you as the player can decide for yourself whether or not you want to draw another card. Likewise, with which stake you want to go to the point. Card counting has also evolved from these options.
Our Best Online Blackjack Casinos
But what is actually meant by this? Is it a surefire strategy for winning at blackjack? Can anyone learn to count cards? Is card counting legal or illegal in Blackjack? Here is our guide and information on how to count cards in blackjack.
- Blackjack Card Counting – Getting Started
- How does card counting work in Blackjack?
- How do I count cards in blackjack?
- How card counting works in blackjack
- Does card counting work at all?
- What you have to pay attention to when counting cards in Black Jack!
- What should I pay attention to when counting cards in Black Jack?
Black Jack card counting – The beginning
1.) How does card counting work in Black Jack?
It is commonly believed that counting cards is about remembering every card that has been turned over in order to know exactly which cards are still in the deck. This would be the supreme discipline, but is not what is meant by card counting. Apart from that, you would have to have special memorization skills and if that is the case, there would be no need for a special strategy.
When it comes to counting cards in Blackjack, it means that you have an approximate idea of the odds that apply to the cards in the face-down deck.
For this, the cards of the deck are basically divided. A rough distinction is made between the cards from 10 up and just below. The idea is that the high cards are more valuable to the player, as they can be used to play blackjack. For example, with a 10 and an ace. Now you don't have to remember the individual cards, but basically only how many high or low cards have already been revealed. For this purpose there is a so-called count. With this a value goes up or down. By this counting you can estimate your chances better.
Of course, this is also based on the fact that you play with a fixed number of cards. In the best case, there are 52 cards, so that the four suits of spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts each have 13 cards. So there are then four each of aces, kings, queens, etc.
2.) How do I count the cards in Blackjack?
So the idea now is that the counter (count) goes up for low cards revealed and down for high cards. For example, a 10 is revealed. This causes the counter to go down one (-1). If a 2 is revealed, the counter goes up one (+1). This basically results in a kind of ratio of cards played that distinguishes between high and low. If there is a high value when counting, you know that many low cards have been played. A low value indicates that some high cards have already been played from the deck.
Figure above: Formula for calculating the True Count
So you count each card that is turned face up with these values. Commonly, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace are counted -1 each, while cards below 10 get a +1. There is also a variant that assigns no value to the cards 7, 8 and 9, so the count does not change.
Summary: Divide the cards into three categories when counting blackjack cards.
- 2 to 6 = +1
- 7 to 9 = 0
- 10 to Ace = -1
| Card | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | J | Q | K | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1-1 |
Based on the value, you can then decide whether you want to draw another card or not. If the value is high, the probability of a high card is greater than at the beginning. If the value is low, there is a risk that a small card will be added.
How card counting works in Blackjack
3.) Does card counting work at all?
Basically: Yes, card counting works.
However, only if certain conditions exist. These are that the dealer actually uses only one deck. If there are already several and thus more than 52 cards as the thing is already much more difficult. There are casinos in which a shuffling machine is also used or for each game a new deck of cards. Apart from that, though, you can actually learn a bit more about your chances.
After all, it's not rocket science. When a queen is drawn, a high card is simply out of the game, which reduces the probability of another high card. It must also be said, however, that the advantage is kept within limits and in the best case is only slightly above the house advantage. So there will be losses even with this.
What you have to pay attention to when counting Black Jack cards!
4.) What to pay attention to when counting Black Jack cards?
First of all, you must be able to count, of course, and not just like that, but also with regard to which cards will be revealed. It must not be counted somehow and if you often miscalculate, even the system is useless. So you should pay attention to this and be accordingly saddle-fast. And you also have to look at whether it's worth it at all. If only one deck is played, it works much better.
Another thing is that casinos may well be allergic to it. This is especially true if counting takes place too obviously. So you should not have a notepad with you.
Of course, if you play in an online casino, things are easier in this respect. Nevertheless, the same applies here: The casino can also ban you from the house if there is a suspicion of abuse. This may be the case simply because too many winnings have been made.
Author: Elon ZigfridRated: Black Jack card countingAuthor Rating:
