BlackJack Card Counting System

Counting cards, can be pretty simple, but you have to read, understand and memorize the basics strategy. So, practice, practice and practice, you can’t count till you mastered the basics.

There are several counting systems:

Counting Points

Every deck contains 16 cards that equal 10 (the K, Q and J), 4 Aces and 32 additional cards of various values.

First, we value each card like this:

2 to 7 = +1 point

8 neutral

9 to A = -1 point

At the beginning of the game, the deck is neutral, score is 0.

When the score is positive, odds are in favor of the player. A negative or neutral score is against the player.

Simply add or decrease the value of the cards from the score (remember, at the beginning the score is 0).

For example, suppose the result of the first round are: 8, 10, 5, 7, 6, 8, 5, 2, 4, K and A. the score is: +4. The odds are in favor of the player.

When the odds are in your favor, it’s time to increase your bet, you can double your betting unit.

The following rules are for a 4 decks game. If you are playing with a different number of decks change the criteria accordingly. (For example, if you are playing with 8 decks instead of 4, when it says +5 change it to +10).

The rules:

1. When the score is +4 or less (including negative numbers), bet on the minimum. If 5$ is your basic betting unit, bet on 5$.

2. When the score is +5 to +10 after a round, bet on two units (in our example 10$).

3. When the score is +10 to +20, bet on 4 units.

4. When the score is +20 to +30, bet on 6 units.

5. Score over +30 bet on 8 units maximum.

Exceptions:

1. Whenever the score is –30 or less, do not split your Aces, except when the dealer’s showing card is 2 to 6. (the deck contains many low cards, so it’s best to hold a soft 12 and draw).

2. Whenever the score is –40 or less, and the dealer’s showing card is 7 to 10 or an A, do not double your bet on a hard 10. But, if the dealer’s showing card is 2 to 6, double the bet on a hard 10.

3. If the score is +30 or more, do not draw if you hold a hard 16 and the dealer’s showing card is 7.

4. Take insurance only when the score is +30 or more.

5. We recommend you play no more than two hands at a time.