Most Used Counting Systems in Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games played at a casino worldwide. The game requires your undivided attention as well as multiple skills to beat the dealer. Also known 21, blackjack pits you, the player, against the dealer.

Your main aim in the game is to form a hand whose value is close to 21 as possible. However, if you exceed 21, you’ll lose. If you get a value that’s greater than dealer’s, then you win. There are multiple rules employed as well including the use of 2 to 8 standard decks of 52 cards depending on the variant you play. Apart from that, players use various strategies to help them win including card counting systems.

In this guide, we explore some of the most used counting systems used in blackjack.

Card Counting

Basically, card counting in Blackjack is the ability of a player to estimate the remaining cards as the dealer deals the cards from the shoe. This ability helps the player make a critical decision as far as an advantage against the dealer is concerned.

Thorp’s Ten-Counting System

This system was introduced in the 60s by a man called Edward a mathematics professor hailing from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Thorp improved the Ten Count system in a systematic manner. First, the cards are counted while paying close attention to their value.

This strategy will help blackjack players decide on when to bet and how high to stake. In his system, more 10-value cards remain in the deck as the sum of dealt cards increases.

The Ace/Five Count

If you’re a blackjack beginner, then this system is perfect for you. You can use this system to maintain some sense in the house edge.

Start from 0 in the first deck and add 1 to every 5-value card dealt. If the Ace is dealt, deduct 1 from the total. Should the final result equal 2 or go above it, you double your bet. If its equal to one or lower, stake low.

This system makes it easy to keep track of the cards because it only focuses on 2card values. However, you need to keep in mind that this system is effective only when the dealer doesn’t re-shuffle the remaining cards as often.

The Hi-Lo System

This system is based on the Thorp Ten-Count system and was developed by Harvey Dubner in 1963. The system is also perfect for beginners and intermediate players to make the most popular counting system because of its ease of use.

This is how Dubner’s system works. Cards from 2 to 6 are marked with +1 and are called low cards. The Ace, 10 and other face cards are marked with -1 and are called high cards. The cards in between the two categories are marked 0. Here is everything you need to know about Aces in Blackjack.

You’ll then start counting after the first card is dealt. You’ll then divide the number of decks that remain in the shoe to get a true count. If the running count is -1 and 3 decks are to be dealt, then your true count is -0.33 or just about that.

The Knock Out Count System

Also known as the K-O system, this system is also great for beginners and intermediates. In this system, the cards will be marked with a value and the player will keep a track of them as they are dealt with by either subtracting or deducting their value.

The indicators are the same as in the Hi-Lo System where there are high cards and low cards.

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