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    Counting Cards - Getting Started

After mastering basic strategy, the next logical step for the player is to learn to count cards.

While there many methods of counting cards, the technique recomended on this site is the Hi-Low method which we will detail in the following paragraphs. This is also the technique that is taught with the Real Deal Blackjack: Learn to Count software available for download under the "Tools" tab. The Hi-Low Blackjack card counting system assigns a value of +1, -1, or 0 to each card in the deck. The value of a dealt 2,3,4,5,and 6 are each worth +1. 10's and Aces are worth -1. 7,8, and 9 have a value of zero because their overall effect is not significant to increasing the advantage of the dealer or the player. If you dealt a single deck of cards and kept a "count", adding and subtracting the value associated with each card, you would end with a value of zero when finishing the deck. Because of this, the Hi-Low counting system is said to be a balanced counting system. There are 20 cards in a single deck with a value of +1 ( with 4 cards each of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). There are 16 ten value cards and 4 Aces in the deck (20 cards total) that are valued -1. The remaining 12 cards (7, 8, 9) have a value of zero. At the end of a deck the count should always be zero. If you enter a game mid-way between the deck or shoe, bet a standard bet. Once the cards are shuffled you should start counting again at 0. The idea behind counting is simple. By using the counting mechanism just described, you can determine the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck. When there are a high proportion of high cards in the deck the player has an advantage over the dealer. The player will systematically alter his/her bet based on the count, according to the charts presented below. In this way, the player will have higher bets on board when he/she has the advantage. In the long run this will result in more winnings for the player.

For example. imagine that a deck has just been shuffled. The first ten cards out of the deck are the cards noted in the 'Card Value' column below. The 'Running Count' column will show you what the Count is after each delt card. Remember, your count starts at 0. And after each delt card, you want to add the 'Point Value' this system assigns to the dealt card, which is shown in the 'Point Value' column.

Card Value Point Value Running Count
Ace -1 -1
2 +1 0
7 0 0
Ace -1 -1
Queen -1 -2
7 0 -2
Jack -1 -3
5 +1 -2
3 +1 -1
8 0 -1

At the end of this set you have a count of -1, which means you are at a slight disadvantage. Because of this, your next bet should be at your lower level. In the next section we will discuss how to determine how much to wager based on the count. It is best to try and count the cards in pairs, the cards will often cancel each other out. You can't control how fast the dealer deals, but you can slow the tempo of game by delaying when you it is your turn to play.

Now that you have an idea of how to keep a running count, you will need to understand the concept of a "betting unit". A betting unit is the minimum bet you will make during the course of a deck. You always want to start low, and increase your bet when the count gets high, indicating a good ratio of high cards for the player. For the typical player the "betting unit" is going to be the minimum allowed bet at the table. The chart below shows how your bet would change based on a change in the count.

Your Bet (number of Bet Units)When Running Count Is...
+1+1 or less
+2+2 or +3
+3+4 or +5
+4+6 or +7
+5+8 or more


Let us say for example that you decide to make your "betting unit" $5. At the start of a deck, your bet will be $5. As you can see on the chart.. if after the 1st round the count were +2 you would want to bet 2 units ($5 times 2) which is $10. If after the next round, or after any round, the count were +6 or +7 you would bet 4 units or ($5 x 4) = $20. By adjusting your bet this way you will always be sure to be betting bigger when you have the asdvantage. If there are four or more decks in play the process is a bit more complicated. You can still use the above table by performing what is referred to as a "true-count." The True Count is found with the equation below:

True Count = Running Count / Number Of Decks Remaining

For example: You have a running count of +10 with 4 decks remaining. The True Count would be +10/4, which is approximately +2. +2 means that you should wager 2 units. After calculating the true count, you will simply use this number the way you were using the running count in the examples above. Remember, when playing with four decks, it is the true count that determines how many betting units you will wager. It will take some practice getting skilled at determining the number of decks remaining. If you have trouble keeping the count straight in your head, you can use your chips as a marker for number of decks dealt. After every 52 cards dealt you can silently mark this to yourself with a chip. The essence of blackjack card counting is pretty simple but it takes a great deal of practice to be able to use it in a casino situation. It will be difficult at first but with some practice you can win at the tables.
last modified February 5, 2008 - 04:04