Blackjack: a game of chance, a game of skill, a game of strategy, or a game of card counting? Card counting is one of the most talked-about and controversial strategies in blackjack. Many people believe that card counting is a foolproof way to win a fair game of blackjack, while others believe that it’s cheating. In this article, we will explore the art of card counting and whether it’s a viable strategy for winning at blackjack.
What is Card Counting?
Card counting is a blackjack strategy that involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt and using that information to determine the probability of getting certain cards in the future. The basic idea behind card counting is that if the deck is rich in high cards, such as tens and aces, the player has a better chance of getting a blackjack or a hand close to 21, while if the deck is rich in low cards, the dealer has a better chance of busting.
Card counting is not illegal, but it is frowned upon by casinos. In fact, if a casino suspects that a player is counting cards, they may ask them to leave or even ban them from the casino.
How to Count Cards
There are several different methods for counting cards, but the most popular one is the Hi-Lo system. Here’s how it works:
- Assign a value to each card. In the Hi-Lo system, cards 2 through 6 are given a value of +1, cards 7 through 9 are given a value of 0, and cards 10 through ace are given a value of -1.
- Keep a running count of the cards that have been dealt. As each card is dealt, add its value to the running count. For example, if a 4, a 7, and a king are dealt in succession, the running count would be +1, +0, and -1, respectively.
- Divide the running count by the number of decks remaining in the shoe to get the true count. The true count is the running count adjusted for the number of decks remaining. For example, if the running count is +4 and there are two decks remaining, the true count is +2.
- Use the true count to adjust your bet and playing strategy. A high true count indicates that the deck is rich in high cards, so you should increase your bet and play more aggressively. A low true count indicates that the deck is rich in low cards, so you should decrease your bet and play more conservatively.
Is Card Counting Effective?
Card counting can be an effective strategy for winning at blackjack, but it’s not foolproof. The effectiveness of card counting depends on several factors, including the number of decks in play, the house rules, and the skill of the player.
In general, the more decks in play, the less effective card counting will be. Additionally, many casinos have implemented rules, such as shuffling the deck more frequently or using automatic shufflers, to make card counting more difficult.
Finally, card counting requires a high level of skill and concentration, and even skilled players can make mistakes. The risk of being caught by the casino and banned from playing also adds a significant level of risk to the strategy.
Conclusion
Card counting is a controversial and complex strategy in blackjack, but it can be an effective way to increase your chances of winning. However, card counting is not a guaranteed way to win, and it requires a high level of skill and concentration. Additionally, casinos frown upon card counting and may ask players who employ the strategy to leave or even ban them from the casino.
If you’re interested in learning more about card counting, we recommend doing your research and
practicing the strategy before attempting to use it in a casino. It’s also important to remember that card counting is not a substitute for basic strategy, and that the effectiveness of the strategy depends on many factors.
Ultimately, the decision to use card counting as a strategy in blackjack is up to the individual player. It’s important to remember that there is always a risk involved in gambling, and that no strategy is foolproof.