Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack

The card counting system is recognised via categorising cards in two systems. One as high cards and one as low. The counting system will see that card’s numbered 2 to 6 are considered low, whereas. Card counting is a system that experienced blackjack players use to get a profitable advantage over the casino. There are many individual “counts” or systems. Many of them are named after colorful professional gamblers from times past. The 2008 movie “21” bought card counting to the attention of the general public. It followed the true story of members of the MIT blackjack team as they. IT'S HARD TO LEARN. First, you have to learn about the rule variations (things like 'double after.

• Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack
• Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack Against
• How Many Cards In Blackjack
• Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack Rules
• How To Count Cards In Blackjack With One Deck

Dec 30, 2014

• In a nutshell, every card is assigned a value: +1, 0, or -1. Cards 2 through 6 are valued at +1. Cards 7, 8, and 9 are valued at 0. And 10 (included Jack, Queen, King) and Ace are valued at -1.
• This video teaches you the easiest way to learn how to count cards for beginner blackjack players easy!

Are you struggling to win at blackjack on a consistent basis? These simple card counting systems can provide the solution.

Basic blackjack strategy is fairly simple. Anyone armed with a strategy card and enough motivation to memorize it can effectively apply basic strategy in any situation. But more experienced players know that winning at blackjack on a consistent basis requires digging deeper.

It requires you to learn how to count cards. The ability to count means that you can predict with reasonable accuracy when a ten-value card is or isn’t going to be dealt, so you know when to bet big and when to stay put. Counting is to only way to maintain a mathematical advantage over the house, which is the reason that EVERY PROFESSIONAL BLACKJACK PLAYER ON EARTH COUNTS CARDS!

If you’re still relatively new to blackjack, the thought of learning a card counting system may be daunting. “It requires brilliant math skills and countless hours of practice,” you may be telling yourself. Check that negativity at the door, because it isn’t as difficult as you think. Here are three card counting systems tailor made for beginners:

#1: The OPP Card Counting System

The OPP is arguably the easiest system out there, and is a perfect stepping stone on your way to blackjack greatness. You only need to keep track of low cards (which make the count positive) and there is no need to convert a running count into a true count. Here’s how it works:

When the shoe begins you start with a count of +6. You should subtract one for every hand in play (including the dealer). So if there are two other players at the table besides you, subtract 4 from the count, giving yourself a +2.

Once play begins, simply add 1 for every low card dealt (2,3,4,5 or 6). There is no need to concern yourself with high cards. Simply re-subtract the number of hands from the count each time a new round begins. There you have it, you’re using a card counting system!

OPP is an unbalanced system, meaning that the count will not be zero at the end of each hand. The count tends to trend upward, meaning that you’ll need to consider the number of decks in the shoe when determining when to increase your bet.

#2: The Red Seven

Red Seven is a simpler system originally pioneered by Blackjack Hall of Fame member and best-selling author Arnold Snyder. Snyder touts his system as both accurate and easy to use:

The easy Red Seven Count gets 80% of the potential gain available from the Hi-Lo Count and other counts that are significantly more difficult to learn and use. It is the strongest professional-level card counting system ever devised for its level of simplicity and ease of use.

The Red Seven is simple in that the player isn’t required to convert the running count into a true count. Because the running count is unbalanced (adding up to +2 at the conclusion of each deck), the amount of decks in the shoe are already factored in.

This card counting system requires the player to pay special attention to each Seven dealt from the deck. Sevens are neutral in most systems—including Hi-Lo and OPP—but in Red Seven those with a red suit are given a count of +1. Low cards are also given a +1 while high cards (8-Ace) have a value of -1.

#3: Knock-Out Blackjack

“KO” has been trumpeted as the “easiest card-counting system ever devised.” While that may be an excessively bold statement, it is an effective blackjack strategy that is certainly simpler than Hi-Lo.

The only real difference between KO and other systems is that Seven is a low card instead of a neutral one, so it always receives a +1. This means that the count is unbalanced (similar to Red Seven) and each deck will conclude with a count of +4.

There is no need to convert this number into a true count. But because the count will be always be a bit higher than it would be with a balanced system, how do you know when the time is right to increase your wager?

The standard equation used is +2 times the amount of decks in the shoe. Assuming that you’re playing at a six-deck table, you should increase your wager only when the count is +12 or higher. You may need to play through a few decks to get to this number, so be patient.

Final Verdict

Each system mentioned here is both simple and effective. But which is the most effective? The OPP is the simplest of the three but is generally considered the least accurate. Arnold Snyder actually performed a comprehensive comparison of Red Seven and Knock-Out, and found the end result to be strikingly similar.

His statistical model found that in a six-deck game KO carried a player edge of .62, just a hair above the .61 for Red Seven. Considering that KO is slightly easier to use than Red Seven, one can conclude that it’s a better option.

Tags: Arnold Snyder, Blackjack, Blackjack Hall of Fame, blackjack strategy, Card counting, card counting system, counting cards, easiest card-counting system ever devised, easy to learn card counting systems, Knock-Out Blackjack, OPP Card Counting System, Red Seven

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One of the reasons blackjack has become such a popular casino game is that it has a low house edge. Even the worst blackjack games have a smaller house edge than other games in a casino. Of course, the small house edge in blackjack is based on perfect play.

Playing with basic strategy provides the player with knowledge of the correct plays to make when playing blackjack. However, there’s a way to bring the house edge lower and even eliminate it when playing some blackjack games. Stop me if you’ve heard this before but card counting isn’t illegal, it’s frowned upon.

Counting cards isn’t easy and a casino may ask you to leave if you’re caught. However, it’s not illegal and the skill of counting cards can be beneficial and make the casino experience better. Recreational blackjack players will enjoy being able to play longer and experienced gamblers will enjoy having a better chance to win money.

Counting cards give the player an advantage so that they can have a better idea of the cards remaining in the deck. If the count is good, the player can increase the bet. Likewise, if the count is bad the player can decrease the amount bet.

Different Card Counting Methods

Our Card Counting page has numerous methods which to track the cards that have been dealt:

Hi / Lo System – This system was first introduced by Edward Thorp in his book, Beat the Dealer. It is the simplest system, using +1, 0 and -1 for each card. This is a balanced system, too, which means that when you go through an entire deck, you should end up at 0.

Hi Opt 1 System – This was developed by Charles Einstein in 1968. This is similar to the Hi / Lo System except that 2s and aces are assigned a 0. This makes the system more accurate but at the cost of being more difficult because you need to keep an ace side count.

Hi Opt 2 System – This adaptation of the Hi Opt 1 System was created by Lance Humble in the 70s. It’s more accurate than it’s predecessor, but it’s even more difficult because you need to keep a side count for 8s and 9s, too. That’s on top of needing to keep a true count (for multiple decks).

KO System – This system was developed by Ken Fuchs and Olaf Vancura in 1998. The KO is considered an unbalanced system, because +1s are assigned to 7s, making the overall count end at +4 when you go through an entire deck (instead of 0).

Uston Advanced Count – This system was developed by Ken Uston. It’s considered one of the most accurate card counting systems, but also one of the most difficult to learn and use. The UAC assigns a -1, 0, +1, +2, or +3 to each card. You also need to keep a side count for aces.

Zen Count – The Zen Count was created by Arnold Snyder. This balanced system assigns -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 to each card. You will also need to figure the true count (before betting). You can learn more about the Zen Count on the Blackjack Forum, or in the book, Blackbelt in Blackjack.

Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack

Omega II Count – This was first published in Blackjack for Blood, written by Bryce Carlson. Players will want to figure out the true count, but keeping a side count isn’t necessary (but it is more accurate). This system assigns the values -1, 0, +1 and +2 to each card.

10-Count – The 10-Count was created by Edward Thorp. No one uses it anymore, but that doesn’t make it ineffective. Thorp tested it in Vegas and won more than $11,000 in a weekend. It paved the way for the systems used today, too.

Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack Against

Wong Halves Count – This was created by Stanford Wong, and was first introduced in his book, Professional Blackjack. It is a difficult, yet accurate system to learn and use. This system assigns -1, 0, +0.5, +1 and +1.5 to each card. You also need to figure the true count.

How Many Cards In Blackjack

Red 7 Count – This system was developed by Arnold Snyder. Players will need to keep an Initial Running Count (IRC), which starts with -2 for every deck in the game. For example, one deck would be -2, 4 decks would be -8, etc. Then you start counting from there. You can learn more about this system in Blackbelt in Blackjack.

Easiest Way To Count Cards In Blackjack Rules

The Hi / Lo System is probably the easiest way to count cards. Not surprisingly, this is also the most popular method for new card counters. Players will attach a number value to each card.

Cards valued from 2-6 = +1
Cards valued from 7-9 = 0
Cards valued from 10-Ace = -1

The player will count every card in play. This has to be done rather quickly since hands take less than a minute to play. The player will also want to be stealth about counting cards since casino security doesn’t like card counters.

The higher the count becomes, the better the remaining cards in the deck. Better cards have a value of 10 through Ace. This gives the player a better chance of winning the hand. A high count is usually a good time to increase the bet since the hand is to the player’s benefit.

How To Count Cards In Blackjack With One Deck

Should You Count Cards?

Like all casino gambling, counting cards doesn’t guarantee that the player will win every session. Over time, the skill should be beneficial to the player by allowing them to play longer or to possibly win money. Just remember, casinos are always looking to see if someone may be counting cards and you’ll be removed from the table if you’re caught.