How to Count Cards in Blackjack

Counting cards is a simple way to gain the edge over the casino. Anybody who knows how to add can do it! Card counting is simply keeping track of the cards that have been dealt as these are not put back into the deck immediately so as cards are dealt, the probability of getting that card gets lower. For example, lets imagine that you are playing a game of Black Jack with one deck. On the first round, you notice that the only cards dealt are kings, queens, jacks, and tens. This will likely never happen, but imagine it for the sake of the example. Now there are many less high cards (with a value of 10) in the deck. Now, because you know this, you can make decisions being aware of the fact that there are less tens in the deck. You would normally not hit on a 16 (depending on the dealer), but if the count is low enough, then maybe it would be worth hitting.

There are many different methods to counting cards, but this tutorial will cover the most common and simplest method, the hi-lo method. Memorizing every card dealt is nearly impossible so a running count is used to keep an estimate of the cards in the deck. The hi-lo count goes like this:

• For every 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 dealt, add 1 from the count.
• For every 7,8, or 9 dealt, do not change the count.
• For every 10, Jack, Queen, King, or Ace dealt, subtract 1 to the count.

This count carries on from the beginning of the deck or shoe all the way until the last card is used. It does not reset every hand that is dealt. The higher your count is the more high cards that are in the deck, and the more high cards that are in the deck, the better for you (because the dealer becomes more likely to bust). As the count gets higher, you should begin to stay on hands like 15, or 14 where hitting may be more beneficial if you weren't keeping count. Similarly, as the count gets lower, it may be better to hit on 16, or maybe even 17 while you may have decided to stay if you were not counting cards. Counting cards can turn the odds in your favor and is easy to learn. There is no reason not to!

A Note on the Legality of Card Counting

As long as all that you use to keep count is your brain, then you aren't doing anything illegal! Card counting is completely 100% legal. Beware, however, as casinos (as private companies) can ban you from their casino if they suspect you of card counting.