Firstly, I should point out that you can only count cards when the casino is not using an automated shuffler ! You need them to use a shoe .
Automated Shuffler & Shoe
You'll need to find these in the casino. Some only have them in their high rollers area or for games with higher minimum bets.
I mostly play 6 deck games because I think the casino heat isn't as strong on them compared to playing less decks. This counting strategy can be used for a lower number of decks too though and even for a single deck. In fact, it is more profitable to play with less decks because the true count increases faster.
Now it's time to learn to count cards. I use a variation of the high low technique that was created by Harvey Dubner in 1963. The only difference in the variation that I use is high cards get +1 and low cards get -1 in the running count tally.
High and Low Cards
Most people teach the opposite way with high cards getting -1 and low cards getting +1. It does not matter which way you choose as long as your advance strategy and bet sizing match up appropriately.
The running count starts at zero and you are tracking every card that comes out starting at the beginning of the shoe. If you lose count or miss the start, you will have to wait for the dealer to reshuffle and start again. Sometimes I will ask the dealer to reshuffle but doing this too much will attract casino heat and increase the risk of getting caught.
Open the blackjack running count chart now. It's located in the lessons recourses.
Running Count Table
We can see if a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 is dealt, we subtract 1 from the running count. If the running count starts at 0 and the dealer deals a 4 to the player, the running count would now be -1.
4 Means We Subtract 1 From Running Count
If a 7, 8, or 9 are dealt, the count remains the same. If a 7 is next card dealt for example, the running count tally will remain at -1.
7 Means The Running Count Remains The Same
If a 10, Jack, Queen, King, or Ace are dealt, we add 1 to the running count. If a 10 is the next card dealt in our example, the running count tally would be back to 0.
10 Means We Add 1 To Running Count
This might be confusing but don't worry. It will make more sense once we put it into practice.
Firstly, before we get into some practice tracking the running count, I want to tell you about a little trick you can use playing live at a casino when you are at the table.
You get a stack of 10 chips that you will not be using for your bets. I usually get smaller chips than the table's minimum bet, so as not to get them confused with my betting chips. I often tell the dealer I want chips for perfect pairs but never use them for it. Then I use this stack of ten chips to keep track of the running count.
Get 10 Casino Chips To Practice
For example, if the running count goes down to -3 I'll move three chips off the stack and place them next to it. I disguise it by looking like I am just playing with my chips, kind of like how a poker player does it. Most people like playing with their chips, so you will not really stand out too much.
My suggestion would be to practice at home with the 10 chips while you are back watching the online live dealer. You can even use ten coins if you do not have chips.
If you missed the basic strategy practice video , you need to find an online blackjack live dealer to practice with. You are not going to be depositing funds. You are only going to be back watching another player to practice. Click the live dealer button in the menu for blackjack pal to see some sites in your country if you do not have a site already.
Remember, as mentioned previously throughout the course, online live dealer blackjack is not good for card counting. They often cut the show in half, deal slowly, restrict you quickly and might keep your money. It's unprofitable to count cards here but good for practicing by back watching other players.
If you are going to play blackjack online, just play for fun. Blackjack Pal has all kinds of interesting online blackjack site directories like our bitcoin blackjack page . Always gamble responsibly.
Unlike in the basic strategy practice video, when we select a table to back watch we will be looking for one that has lots of players on it. This way we will get to see a lot of cards and have more opportunity to track the count.
Open Table Next To Running Count Table
Tracking the Running Count
In the video, we came onto a table that had already started a shoe. We just pretended for our practice activity that the shoes had just started and the running count was 0. When you practice for yourself, start from the beginning of the shoe. Here are the recorded changes to the running count starting from 0. We will refer to running count as RC:
5 of spades, so RC is -1.
4 of hearts, so RC is -2.
4 of clubs, so RC is -3.
5 of clubs, so RC is -4.
King of clubs, so RC is -3.
3 of diamonds, so RC is -4.
6 of clubs, so RC is -5.
3 of spades, so RC is -6.
3 of spades, so RC is -7.
8 of hearts, so RC is -7.
10 of spades, so RC is -6.
8 of hearts, so RC is -6.
4 of hearts, so RC is -7.
9 of clubs, so RC is -7.
8 of hearts, so RC is -7.
3 of diamonds, so RC is -8.
2 of diamonds, so RC is -9.
At the end of the shoe we can see the running count tally is -9. Basically we are just tracking low cards and high cards. Low cards like 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 get assigned -1 to running count total. Middle cards like 7, 8 and 9 get ignored. High cards like 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace get assigned +1 to the running count total.
As we continue to watch the video, we see that a new shoe starts. This means that the running count goes back to 0. I won't list what cards come out again for you. I think you understand now and can view the video for yourself. Instead I will just point out changes to the running count.
After the first round of hands in this second shoe, the running count is -2. After the second round of hands, the running count is +1.
That should be enough to get an understanding of how to practice the running count.
Now you should start practicing for yourself. Once you get fast enough to track the whole shoe, add in basic strategy on one of the seats while you count. Again, just pretend you are one of the players and back watch them.
Once you have mastered this lesson, you can move on to the next lesson on true count. Then you will really start to see how a card counting system works.