Card counting in blackjack is a strategy used by players to gain an advantage over the casino. Players keep track of the ratio of high cards to low cards remaining in the deck. This technique allows players to make more informed betting decisions based on the likelihood of favorable outcomes in upcoming hands.
Card counting involves assigning a value to each card dealt and maintaining a running count. Typically, low cards (2-6) are assigned a positive value, high cards (10-Ace) are assigned a negative value, and mid-range cards (7-9) are neutral. The running count helps players estimate the proportion of high to low cards remaining in the deck.
As each card is dealt, players update their running count based on the values assigned. For example, if three low cards and two high cards are dealt, the running count would increase by +1 for each low card and decrease by -1 for each high card.
In games with multiple decks, players convert their running count into a “true count” by dividing the running count by the number of decks remaining. This provides a more accurate measure of player advantage.
Based on the true count, players adjust their bets. A higher true count indicates a greater concentration of high cards remaining in the deck, prompting players to increase their bets when they have an advantage.
Skilled card counters can shift the house edge in their favor by betting more when the odds are favorable. Also, card counting allows players to make informed decisions rather than relying solely on luck.
Unfortunately, while conceptually simple, effective card counting requires significant practice and mental agility to track counts accurately during gameplay. Casinos are aware of card counting strategies and employ various tactics to counteract them, such as using multiple decks and frequent shuffling. Players caught counting cards may be asked to leave or banned from playing.
