#3 True Count - Advanced Blackjack Strategy #4 Playing Conditions for Counters - Advanced Blackjack Strategy #5 True Count and Deviations - Advanced Blackjack Strategy. Note: Download BlackJack Betting App Online. Basic Card Count - Advanced Blackjack Strategies # 1. It's possible for a blackjack player to gain the long-term advantage over the. This is the reason why you will often get some basic strategy for blackjack in the form of a small card when entering a casino. Naturally, no casino would do this in order to make the players win, but it is a good marketing trick to attract more players. Doubling down is an exciting move to make in blackjack – and profitable if you get it right. This is when you double your bet in the middle of a hand, after which you only receive one more card. If I were to alter it at all, based on your additional comments, my answer to 'Is it possible to turn $200 into $1,200' is this: It's IRRELEVANT. If that's all you care to do, and you only plan on doing it once, then you've got a fairly good shot of doing it. Maybe a 15% chance. If you want to play blackjack regularly, then it is 100% IRRELEVANT.

Not everyone can make a living by playing blackjack, but it is possible to do it and I am living proof of that. Namely, I have been playing blackjack for more than 13 years now and that is my main source of income. I manage to do this by following a set of rules and principles and constantly learning how to improve my knowledge and skills.

As you may already know, you need both luck and skill to win at blackjack. That is exactly what makes it possible to win consistently and make a living.

I started my website because I believe that anyone who puts enough effort into bettering their skills can start to make a living by playing this casino game.

Below, I will teach you everything you need to know to get started. I’ve outlined the basics for you, so all you need to do is learn them well and try them out in a reliable casino.

How to Start This Journey on Your Own

You might think that making a living by playing blackjack is impossible. I can confirm that it is not easy (at least in the beginning), but it’s far from impossible.

I’ll prove to you that winning consistently at blackjack is not rocket science, and I’ll show you exactly how I did it and how I’m still doing it.

Step 1: Sign up with One of the Casino Rooms Listed Below

The first thing you need to do to start making consistent wins when playing blackjack is to sign up with a reliable online casino. Remember that where you play makes all the difference when it comes to the outcomes of your games.

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Contents

  • How to Start This Journey on Your Own
    • Step 3: Playing Blackjack for a Living
    • Step 4: Playing Blackjack for a Living II

Since the options out there are maddening and very confusing, I’ve decided to help you out. Below, you will find a list of the best casino rooms for playing blackjack, in my opinion.

Before employing any of my strategies and tips listed below, you should make sure to create an account in one or more of these casinos. They have the best blackjack games and the best playing conditions, which will make your entire journey a lot easier.

Step 2: Playing Blackjack in Land-Based Casinos

Apart from the online casinos I have listed and recommended above, you can also play blackjack in land-based casinos. However, you should think twice before doing that as there are both pros and cons of it.

If you play in a land-based casino, you will get a much better experience because you will feel the atmosphere of a casino first-hand. However, unless you live in Las Vegas or some other gambling hotspot, you might be better off with online casinos.

One of the rules of playing blackjack for a living is to frequently change the casino where you’re playing. When it comes to land-based venues, that is often difficult to do, but it’s a lot easier if you play online. Getting spotted at a land-based casino is much more likely to happen than online since they have cameras above each table, tracking every move you make.

Step 3: Playing Blackjack for a Living

To start winning at blackjack and keep winning, there are some things you should do every single time and others you should avoid.

Let’s start with the do’s!

The Do’s

  1. Get a Good Feel for the Rules

    This is the very first thing you need to do before you start playing blackjack. If you’re not certain that you know and understand all the rules of blackjack, you’re not ready to start making a living by playing it.

    The most important thing about blackjack that most people get wrong is the goal of the game. If you think that the goal is to get to 21, you’re wrong. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer. You can do that by having a better hand than them and not busting first.

    Now that you understand what the objective of the game is, you’re ready to start learning how to achieve it.

  2. Learn the Basic Strategy

    Learning the basic strategy is a must for anyone who plans to play blackjack professionally or aims to sustain themselves by playing this game. It will provide you with a strong foundation you can continue to expand for as long as you live and play blackjack.

    The basic blackjack strategy is mainly a chart that outlines all the possible hands in the game. It will tell you exactly what and when to do when you are faced with a particular situation.

    This chart teaches you when to hit, stand, double, split, or surrender, based on the cards you and the dealer have. Sometimes, all you need to be good at blackjack is common sense. For example, you won’t hit when you have 19 or 20 in your hand. In other cases, several moves might look good to you. This is when you should use the chart to determine what the best move is.

  3. Learn How to Count Cards

    Counting cards is the best way to decrease the house edge and increase your chances of winning against the dealer. We’ll talk about it in greater detail later on in this article, but for now, what you need to know is that counting cards is a way of predicting the probability of drawing a particular card the next time you hit.

    If you know how to count cards, you will be able to raise your bets when you think there’s a good chance the next card will be good for you and lower your bets when it appears to be the other way around. In the long run, you can earn thousands of dollars this way, if you play your cards right.

  4. Master Bankroll Management

    If you plan to make a living by playing blackjack, you first need to make sure that you do not end up bankrupt. Making a living from blackjack does not mean winning every single time. You will have good and bad days. The point is to make sure that you have a lot more good than bad days on average.

    Bankroll management refers to the technique used to control and oversee the amount of money you spend on casino games. Make sure to never spend more than you can afford to. If you reach the daily limit you have determined, stand up and walk away.

  5. Find a Good Game

    The next step to becoming a professional blackjack player and making a living by doing that is pretty basic. You need to make sure that you are playing the right game. You might have heard of the 3:2 Blackjack and 6:5 Blackjack. This refers to the payout you can expect when you win a round with a 21.

    When you play a 3:2 game, if you bet two dollars, you will win three back when you win with a blackjack. However, in a 6:5 game, you will win six dollars every time you bet five, which ends up being a lot less. Therefore, the house edge in 6:5 Blackjack is much higher than in the 3:2 variant.

  6. Play in Multiple Locations

    The business model of the casinos you play in includes you losing. Therefore, if you play in only one casino and you end up winning frequently, you will draw a lot of attention to yourself. As you may know, both online and land-based casinos have the right to refuse to provide their services to anyone, without any further explanation.

    You can avoid this by frequently switching casinos and having several places where you will be a regular. This might be a lot easier to do online than in land-based casinos. However, if you live in a city such as Las Vegas or Atlantic City, you should definitely take advantage of your location from time to time.

  7. Negotiate Discounts and Cash Backs

    Both online and land-based casinos love regulars. Therefore, you can easily make this work in your favor by negotiating discounts and cash backs. More often than not, they will be happy to provide you with an offer — all you need to do is ask.

    Moreover, you can take advantage of regular bonuses and promotions. Unfortunately, blackjack-specific promotions are not very common. However, you can make good use of regular ones as well and win some bonus cash to get started.

The Don’ts

Now that we have determined what you should focus on doing every time, it’s time to learn about some things you should avoid doing whenever possible.

Here are some of the “don’ts” that I have learned to stay away from, which has helped me to turn blackjack from a hobby into a reliable source of income.

  1. Do Not Drink Alcohol When Playing

    Having a beer or two, or a glass of wine is a great way to relax and wind down at the end of a tough day. However, alcohol is not your friend when you’re playing blackjack., especially if you’re trying to make a living by playing. You would not drink alcohol at your regular job, wouldn’t you? That’s what I thought.

    Therefore, make sure to stay sober and clear-headed whenever you’re sitting at a blackjack table, regardless of whether you’re playing in a land-based casino or online. Even just one beer could change your perception and make you risk more or lose focus during the game.

    When we drink alcohol, we tend to make decisions using our emotions rather than our rationality. As I have already mentioned, blackjack is a game of skill, so you need to make sure that you can stay on top of your game at all times.

  2. Do Not Play Side Bets

    Side bets are additional bets you can find in many casinos and blackjack games. They may look very tempting, but you should remember that they are not your friends. Even though they may sometimes help you lose less, that’s not what you should be focusing on.

    The principle behind side bets is such that they are based on luck more than on skill. Because of that, their outcome is difficult to predict. Some of the most common side bets in blackjack are 21+3, Royal Match, Over/Under 13, Super Sevens, and so on.

    Instead of focusing on lowering your losses, you should be focused on increasing your winnings. A lost bet is still a lost bet. Side bets are fun to play, there’s no doubt about that. However, their RTP is much lower compared to the main bets. Therefore, if you’re playing to make a living, you should stay away from them.

  3. Stay Away from Insurance

    Insurance is a special bet that lets you protect yourself from the situation in which the dealer wins with a 21. However, that’s only true in theory. In reality, you’re much better off losing your whole hand than losing just half of it. The reason I say this is because the risk is much better than the reward.

    To make an insurance bet, you need to bet more money on top of the main bet you have already placed on the table. In case the dealer does not have a blackjack, you risk losing more than you would if you didn’t pay the insurance.

    Therefore, even though the insurance bet looks tempting and seems like a good idea, it is a terrible move to make if you want to increase your chances of having a positive balance.

  4. Play on Tables Where You Can Double Any Time

    Doubling down on your bet is a great way to increase your RTP in the long run, if you do it right. However, some casinos will limit your options when it comes to doubling down and only let you do this if you have a 9, 10, or face card.

    As you can guess, this rule was made because it favors the house. Therefore, you should avoid such casinos whenever possible. Depending on the dealer’s upcard, there are many situations in which you would benefit greatly from doubling down on cards lower than a 9. So you want to avoid any restrictions whenever you can.

Step 4: Playing Blackjack for a Living II

Like any other career, playing blackjack for a living has its ups and downs. Many of the positives of being a Professional Blackjack Player are obvious, like getting paid in cash and enjoying free comps. There are also negatives such as not having company-paid healthcare coverage.

Speaking from experience, I’ve put together a list of the top 5 positive and negative aspects of playing blackjack for a living. My hope is to help people decide if this lifestyle seems right for them before they go out and experience everything first hand.

I’ll go with the assumption that you enjoy playing cards and are interested in card counting, because I would never recommend anyone pursue a career that they won’t enjoy.

Positives

  1. Paid in Cash

    The benefit of being handed cash on the same day you earn it is fairly self-explanatory. I don’t know anyone that would rather be written a check than given cash.

  2. No Boss

    Doing what you want, when you want, how you want, is a luxury very few people have. Being your own boss and having no one to answer to can be very satisfying and work well for a motivated person. If you’re an extremely lazy person and need someone to babysit you and tell you what to do, then playing blackjack as a job and card counting in general may not be for you. This is an entrepreneurial type of business that provides great financial reward for hard work.

  3. Flexibility in Schedule

    Having the ability to work when you want and start or stop on a moments notice is an immeasurable benefit of playing blackjack for a living. You can never be late for work or take too long of a lunch. For the night owls, you’ve got the luxury of playing blackjack any time of day or night any day of the week. Sometimes I like to play as much as possible for a straight week and then take the entire next week off. The point is, as a professional blackjack player, how you manage your time is completely up to you!

  4. Environment

    This might not be a positive for everyone, but it certainly is for me. I would much rather spend a Tuesday afternoon at a Las Vegas resort than in a cubicle at an office. When blackjack is your job, you get to enjoy casual conversation at the tables in a vacation setting rather than sitting in a meeting room at work talking about increasing production. What’s more appealing, having a diet coke in a break room at the office or drinking a cold beer out at a pool?

  5. Free Comps

    For me this is a huge perk of the job. I’m not the type of guy that goes out and spends $300 on dinner at an overpriced steakhouse. However, when those lobster tails are free, they seem to taste so much better. Playing blackjack for a living allows me to eat at some of the priciest restaurants in the world and stay in some of the most beautiful resorts ever built. While most people save up all year for a summer vacation, my family is able to go to just about any casino resort for free on a moments notice.

Negatives

  1. Healthcare

    For those of you that depend on company paid healthcare, you’re simply not going to get that covered playing blackjack as a job. You will be left to buy your own healthcare out of pocket just like any other self-employed person.

  2. Retirement

    Along with no company healthcare, you also will not be getting an employer matched 401K. My suggestion is to set up a Roth IRA and make the maximum contribution every year. Your Roth IRA capital gains will be tax-free and can be cashed out upon retirement age. Although you may never want to retire from playing professional blackjack, you will hit what is considered the “retirement age” for a Roth IRA at 59 1/2. Roth IRAs are one of the best things going in the investment world, so take full advantage. Distributions really are 100% tax free!

  3. Travel

    This can be a good thing or a bad thing. I have a wife and kids, so I don’t like to travel away from them too much. We’ve chosen to live in a nice area with great weather rather than live where there are a lot of great casinos. This means I have to travel out to where I play. Sometimes that’s a lot of fun, but sometimes it’s just a hassle. You really have to give strong consideration to how you’re going to get to the casinos you plan to regularly play at.

  4. No Exact Paycheck

    Playing blackjack for a living doesn’t earn you a bi-weekly paycheck of a set amount. In card counting the money tends to come in waves that simply cannot be planned. Some days a Pro Blackjack Player might make more than he made the entire previous week. Then the next day he might make nothing. If you’ve ever worked a commission job, then you know how this is. If you’re accustomed to a predictable paycheck that you get every two weeks, then this lifestyle takes a little getting used to. Just don’t go spending all your money when you have your first big winning day.

  5. Smokers

    This is my own issue and I don’t expect everyone to agree. After all, some professional players are smokers themselves. I personally can’t stand having to sit at blackjack tables with people blowing smoke in my face. Unfortunately casinos are packed with smokers. These days more and more casinos are adding non-smoking tables and are improving their ventilation systems, so this is a continually improving negative aspect of the game. One of my top personal rules is to never sit directly next to someone that’s smoking. If they light one up, I’m getting up and switching tables.

So there you have it, my own personal list of 5 positives to playing blackjack for a living and 5 negatives to consider as well. Only you can decide if this type of work is a good fit for you and your personality. I realize many of you just want to beat the game for when you’re on vacation or to supplement your income on weekends. For you, the issues listed above probably aren’t too significant.

Top Blackjack Playing Tips

Now that we have determined what some things you should and should not do at a blackjack table are, it’s time to learn some handy tips that will improve your win/loss ratio. I have tested these rules multiple times and proved that they work.

# Check the Dealer’s Upcard

This is one of the things a lot of people completely disregard. I don’t blame them because most “expert blackjack guides” out there completely disregard it as well. Remember that the goal of this game is not to get a 21 hand. The goal is to beat the dealer. Therefore, it is very important to consider the dealer’s hand before you decide on your next move.

Unfortunately, only one of the two dealer’s cards is visible. But even that one card can tell you a lot and save you from losing money unnecessarily.

# Start with Small Bets

When you first sit at a table, you should start by betting small. You should use the first several hands to get a good feel of the game, the table, the dealer, and the players next to you (if there are any).

Only when you’re certain that the pace of the table suits you and the atmosphere is right, should you proceed and start raising your bets whenever you feel the situation is right.

# Do Not Listen to Other Players at Your Table

There are many different types of players at a blackjack table. While it’s a great idea to socialize and make friends, both online and in land-based casinos, you should not take advice from other players.

There will always be a player or two who will try to tell you about a secret strategy they developed that changed their life. But what other players at the table do is none of your business. If they become too annoying, you can just walk away and switch tables.

Best Blackjack Winning Strategy

Blackjack is a very old game and a lot of people have tried their luck on it. However, a small percentage of people has realized that you can win much more frequently if you do not only rely on luck.

That’s where blackjack strategies come into play. These are elaborate and reliable methods you can use to play blackjack for a living. Here are my favourite ones that I use most often.

# Card Counting

I have already mentioned card counting above, but now it’s time to elaborate on it a bit more. There are several ways to count cards in blackjack, but the High/Low method is the simplest and the most popular one.

To begin, you should appoint a value to each type of card in the deck. Cards 2-6 have a value of +1, whereas cards 10-A have a value of -1. Cards 7-9 are valued 0, so they do not matter.

One card counting session lasts from the moment the dealer shuffles the deck until they shuffle it again. You need to add/subtract the value of each card that enters the table. Every time the total value is more than 0, you should increase your bets in the next round because the number of high cards in the deck is greater.

Every time the total value is lower than 0, you should lower your bets because the total number of low cards in the deck is higher, which favours the dealer more.

For those looking to get to a professional card counting level and have blackjack as their sole source of income, these are some things you really must consider before quitting your day job. Of course these issues only matter once you gain the necessary knowledge, skill and discipline to be a profitable blackjack player in the first place.

# Double Down on a Hard 11

There are several ways to get a hard 11. No matter which way you get it, you should always double down when that happens. That’s because you will always win more money by doubling down with a hard 11 instead of hitting, no matter what the dealer’s upcard is.

However, as always, there is one exception to this rule. If you are playing a game in which the dealer is required to stand on a soft 17, and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, you should hit instead of doubling down. In all other cases, you should do the opposite.

# Split a Pair of 8s and Aces

When dealt a pair of 8’s, most players will hit if the dealer’s upcard is a 9, 10, or Ace. Their reason for not splitting is because they believe they will lose even more money that way since the dealer has a strong hand already.

However, people do not understand that their chances of winning in this situation are higher if they split the 8’s and play to separate hands, instead of hitting a hard 16, as there is a high chance they will bust.

When it comes to aces, it is always better to split them and play two powerful hands than hit and play them as a two.

Conclusion

There it is, my simple and applicable guide on how to play blackjack for a living. By using these rules, tips, and strategies, I earn $25,000 every month and do something I love — play blackjack. You can do it as well if you put enough time and effort into reading these pieces of advice, learning them, and perfecting them in real life.

Stay tuned as I will keep sharing more awesome advice on how to beat the house, have fun, and make a living for yourself. Start with these basics and work your way up.

Blackjack has always been one of the most popular casino games and it has a massive fan base all over the world. The casino classic is a way of entertaining gambling enthusiasts both at brick-and-mortar and web-based casinos. The thrill of playing against the dealer and hoping to have a blackjack has made the game one of the top ways to gamble with real money. Of course, there is also the chance of going home with a massive win thanks to your luck and good blackjack skills.

Do not be fooled. Any type of gambling includes a big part of pure luck. If the stars have not been aligned and it is just not your day, you might end up being disappointed. However, there are most certainly some games that allow players to take the matter in their own hands, at least partially, and turn the odds in their favour. Blackjack is definitely one these games.

Whether you are a rookie in this field of gambling, or you have been playing for a while but it has always been unsuccessful, it is worth trying to play blackjack with a strategy. Some players believe that using the proper technique may guarantee them a win almost every time. If you are interested in the ways you can turn the table and win on blackjack, keep reading this article.

Why You Should Use a Strategy While Playing Blackjack

If you are wondering if there is an actual strategy that can be used successfully at blackjack, you can be sure that it definitely helps to adopt some style of playing, rather than aimlessly lose your money on every hand you play. Although nothing is set in stone, there is definitely some type of benefit when you play using strategic moves and proper bankroll management.

One of the most popular strategies used in blackjack is card counting. It allows players to predict what can the upcoming cards be. This way it is possible to guess whether the following cards will be beneficial or not for the game. Using the right card counting technique can allow gambling enthusiasts to take the right decision and tip the scales in their favour.

Possible

Card counting system can actually improve the gaming skills of players and they can benefit from understanding the pattern that each game of blackjack is using. Another benefit of using card counting is that it helps to eliminate the cards that have already been dealt. The cards that have been removed from the deck influence the house edge in a way and it is good to know how the outcome of the game can be affected by each card that has been drawn from the deck.

Using card counting strategy basically allows players to understand better the dynamics of the game. This way they will be able to make easier decisions about their moves and bets. Rather than looking at this technique as a way to increase one’s wins, it can be said that card counting helps to decrease the losses. This is very important as it gives players a much better chance of actually sweeping good wins since they will be able to last longer in the game.

There is also a basic blackjack strategy that can be used by fans of the game of 21. Although everyone who is at least a little familiar with blackjack will know that hitting on 11 is the logical move, there are quite a lot of other situations when it can be pretty difficult to determine the move that should be done.

By utilising the basic strategy, newbies can quickly become seasoned blackjack players. If you look up for a basic blackjack strategy, you will come across charts with all possible hands that you may be holding and the moves you are advised to make under different circumstances.

Of course, depending on the blackjack variation that you are playing, it is possible that the strategy might change. This is why it is recommended to find the system that works for the version you are about to play and bet real money on.

Even though you can be certain that you will always win by using a basic strategy or a card counting system, it is much better to have some plan when you sit at the blackjack table. Otherwise, you can simply consider your gambling as a waste of time and money.

Types of Blackjack Strategies

The blackjack system you might use really depends on the type of game that you are playing. Whether you prefer to play at a land-based or an online casino also affects the type of strategy you might use. Although card counting is quite popular, it is quite impossible to use it at virtual casinos since most online variations of the game shuffle the deck after every hand that is being played. This makes the use of this technique useless. This being said, interactive players can easily have the table with the basic strategy in front of them and use it to decide their moves.

Basic Strategy

When you think of blackjack, you can say that the decisions made by the player determine a big part of the outcome. This is why it is a great advantage to have some kind of basic rules that can help you determine the best way to react to the dealer’s hand.

Each player’s decision can affect the way his/her hand is played out and it can also determine the results for the rest of the players on the table. This is why there has been a mathematical strategy that can be used during the game of 21. It provides a chance of improving the odds of winnings. This strategy, however, must be used every time you play. This way you will be able to tilt the scales in your favour and benefit from the best possible odds.

What is known as a basic strategy is a chart that shows you whether you are advised to hit, stand, double down or split under certain circumstances. On the chart, you will notice that there are sections that show all the possible hands you might be dealt. The dealer’s card that faces up is the other determining factor on the chart.

Although many rooky blackjack players prefer to follow their instincts and play cautiously due to the fear of going bust, using the basic strategy can significantly change their gambling experience. By relying on the chart, players can actually improve their chances in the game by making the optimal decision.

Although in blackjack, just like in any other casino game, the house has an advantage. However, the game of 21 is the perfect casino entertainment for many players as it has one of the lowest house edges. Using basic strategy can even make your chances of winning better.

There is definitely a benefit when blackjack players use basic strategy. For instance, when players use this technique, the house edge is lowered to 0.50%. This means that for every $100 that the player is betting, the house expects a win of $0.50. However, if the player is simply relying on his/her guts and plays without using a strategy, the house edge is rocketed to 2.5%. As you can see this is definitely a worse scenario for the player and much bigger advantage for the house.

Players’ HandDealer’s Up Card
2345678910Ace
8HHHDDHHHHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
10DDDDDDHHHH
11DDDDDDDHHH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
16SSSSSHHHHH
Ace-2HHHDDHHHHH
Ace-3HHDDDHHHHH
Ace-4HHDDDHHHHH
Ace-5HHDDDHHHHH
Ace-6HDDDDHHHHH
Ace-7SDDDDSSHHH
Ace-8SSSSSSSSSS
Ace-9SSSSSSSSSS
Ace-AceSPSPSPSPSPSPSPHHH
2-2SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
3-3SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
4-4HHHSPSPHHHHH
5-5DDDDDDHHHH
6-6SPSPSPSPSPHHHHH
7-7SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
8-8SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP
9-9SPSPSPSPSPSSPSPSS

Card Counting

There is hardly anyone who has not heard about card counting, especially if they are interested in gambling. This advanced strategy is known to give players a big advantage. This is why although card counting is not illegal, many land-based casinos would kick out players who use this tactic.

Card counting is a strategy where you have to use your memory in order to keep track of which cards were dealt and which ones can be the upcoming cards in the next deal. This way players would be able to make better and easier decisions when it comes to their betting. Since in the majority of brick-and-mortar casinos the cards are dealt from a shoe, it can be predicted which cards have remained in the deck and this way the moves of players can be adjusted to the upcoming possibilities.

Most card counting techniques are based on the -1, 0, +1 system which gives each card of the deck a certain point. Usually the cards from 2 to 6 equal +1, the 7s, 8s and 9s are considered as 0 and face cards and Aces are counted as -1.

Thanks to the card counting tactic, players can get a general idea which cards have remained in the shoe after the first deal. However, the fact that many blackjack tables use several decks requires players to divide their current count by the number of remaining decks. This way they will get what is known as a true count.

Although card counting system was developed by mathematicians, it is a common misconception that only players with extraordinary mathematical skills and photographic memory can apply it. In fact, every average blackjack fan can develop the ability of card counting and use it in his/her gambling adventures. What is difficult to be learned, however, is hiding your skills from the dealers at land-based casinos. This might be an issue as many gambling facilities do not accept players who use card counting.

How Can You Use Card Counting

Although there are different variations of blackjack, the main of the classic one is to get a score of 21 without exceeding it. After being dealt two cards and taking a look at the dealer’s face-up card, players must make a decision about the move they would like to make.

In most cases, the deck is shuffled only once before the game begins. Players who use card counting will be able to keep track of the cards that have already been drawn and this way they will be able to deduce which cards have remained in the deck. This way blackjack enthusiasts will make a decision whether they would bet high or low. Let us assume that during the game only low-valued cards have been dealt. This would mean that there is a big chance that the upcoming cards may be Royals. This would be a great time to make a high bet. Having been dealt only high-value cards would imply that it is the best if you make low bets and hit without worrying about going to bust.

The essential thing about card counting is that the odds of the game change with every card that has been dealt. Usually, the dealer puts the hands that have been played in a discard tray. Only the remaining cards in the deck are used during the next deal. Usually, the card counting system revolves around estimating the possibility of drawing a 10-valued card from the remaining ones in the deck. The easiest way to count cards is by assigning them with a tag, i.e. +1, 0, -1.

Card Counting Systems

Since card counting is a strategy used by many blackjack players, it is no surprise that nowadays players can utilise various systems of counting. For those who are excited that test the card counting technique, there are several variations they can choose from.

Hi-Lo System

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Probably the most widely known card counting system is the Hi-Lo (High-Low) one. Its popularity can be contributed to the fact that it is considered a very reliable system. What is more, this method of card counting is very easy to comprehend. The Hi-Lo system uses the so-called tagging technique which gives each card of the deck either a positive, a neutral or a negative value.

Thanks to this system of counting, players can adjust their bets easily. It is determined that those who utilise the Hi-Lo system would count the cards from 2 to 6 as +1, the ones from 7 to 9 as neutral (0) and the rest of the face cards and the Ace are tagged as -1.

CardsCount
2, 3, 4, 5, 6+1
7, 8, 90
10, J, Q, K, A-1

Red Seven

This system of card counting is another easy-to-use technique while playing blackjack. The method of assigning cards with positive, neutral and negative values is yet again used in Red Seven. However, there is a slight difference when it comes to the 7s of the deck. As the name of the system suggests, instead of counting the red seven as 0, you would give it a value of +1. The black seven is tagged as 0 and the counting principle for the rest of the cards is the same as the one in Hi-Lo.

Card ValueCount
2, 3, 4, 5, 6count +1
7 redcount +1
7 blackcount 0
10, J, Q, K, Acount -1

KISS

This system of card counting has more to offer than simply an intricate name. KISS (Keep It Short and Simple) has three variations and the newest one definitely gives players bigger advantage compared with the original KISS system. This method is quite simplified which gives inexperienced players the opportunity to use it.

The reason why this system is so easy to be used by players is that they do not have to count almost half of the cards in the deck as they are irrelevant to the process of predicting the outcome. Those who use this method would have to give a new value only to the face cards and the ones from 4 to 6. The former ones are counted as -1, while the latter equal +1. The rest of the cards are counted as 0.

However, with the KISS 1 system, players would also have to count black deuces as +1. This is done so that the system becomes unbalanced which is a way of avoiding the conversion of the running count into a real count.

The KISS 2 counting method adds a few other cards you should keep in mind while playing. According to this system, the cards from 3 to 6 are counted as +1, along with the black deuces. Face cards and 10s are valued as -1 and the rest of the cards are tagged as 0.

Last but not least is the KISS 3 variation of this card counting system. It resembles the previous two but is optimized to provide the best odds and to help blackjack players make the best decision. If you want to use this method of card counting you will have to give the face cards, 10s and Aces a value of -1, while the cards from 3 to 7 should be counted as +1. The black deuces also worth +1, while all other cards are counted as 0.

Card ValueCount
3, 4, 5, 6, 7count +1
2 blackcount +1
2 redcount 0
8, 9count 0
10, J, Q, K, Acount -1

K-O

The K-O (Knock Out) counting system resembles the Hi-Lo one a lot. Yet again, players give cards either positive, negative or neutral values. This way they can determine what can be the possible outcome of the game and make the best possible bets. According to this system the cards from 2 to 7 worth +1 point each. The face cards, 10s and the Aces are counted as -1 and the rest of the deck is counted as neutral.

As you can see, the K-O counting system is also pretty easy to be used in the game and even inexperienced players would have no issue utilising it. The K-O method of counting is not balanced since this will eliminate the need of converting the running count into a real count. What is more, when you play using this system, you might not start the count at 0 as you normally would. Depending on the number of decks used in the game, players might have to begin counting from a different number. If you are playing a single deck blackjack variation, your start-count will be 0. However, two decks would mean that you should start counting from -4. Six decks indicate a start of counting at -20, while a game with eight decks would mean that the count begins at -28.

Card ValueCount
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7count +1
8, 9count 0
10, J, Q, K, Acount -1

Omega II

All of the aforementioned methods are level one card counting systems. This means that they are quite easy to comprehend and use. Omega II is a level two card counting technique. This means that players will have to sacrifice a bit more time to learn and memorise the specifics of this system. The efforts of learning Omega II, however, can definitely be repaid when players bet on blackjack.

The Omega II is one of the most accurate counting systems and it can give players a significant advantage if they learn how to properly use it. This is a multi-level system which means that there are some cards worth 2 points. Grasping the intricacies of this card counting technique allows players to make the most profitable decisions while playing the game of 21.

Although the Aces are counted as 0 in this system, it is recommended you keep a separate count about them. Since these cards play an important role in the forming of a blackjack, it is important to keep a track of how many Aces have remained in the play.

The Omega II system gives half of the low-valued cards +1, while the other half of low-valued cards are counted as +2. The 2s, 3s and 7s are worth +1 and the 4s, 5s and 6s are counted as +2. The 9s are worth -1, while the 10s are tagged as -2. The rest of the cards are counted as 0.

Card ValueCount
4, 5, 6count +2
2, 3, 7count +1
8, Acount 0
9count -1
10, J, Q, Kcount -2

Hi-Opt I & Hi-Opt II

Hi-Opt (High Optimum) is a card counting system that has two different variations. The original Hi-Opt I version is a level one system that is still considered fairly easy but it is definitely more complex than the rest of level one systems. The Hi-Opt II card counting technique is the updated version of the first one. It is, however, more intricate and this is why it is a level two system.

Both of the variations of Hi-Opt are not very suitable for beginners as they require quite the knowledge about the game of blackjack as well as the other level one systems of card counting. However, those who get familiar with this method, will be able to tilt the balance in their favour and enjoy great odds of winning.

Players who use Hi-Opt system do not make it their goal to memorize which were the cards that have been played, nor to predict which ones will be the next one to be played. The purpose of using this method is to estimate the ratio of high-value cards to low-value cards in the deck.

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The Hi-Opt I system is very similar to the Hi-Lo one and it is considered to be more accurate. The thing that makes this technique more advanced, however, is the side counting of the Aces left in the game. The cards from 3 to 6 are worth +1, while the 10s are worth -1. The Aces, 2s, 7s, 8s and 9s are counted as 0.

Card ValueCount
3, 4, 5, 6count +1
2, 7, 8, 9, Acount 0
10, J, Q, Kcount -1
Game

If you decide to use the Hi-Opt II system, you will have to spare a bit more time to study the values used in this method of card counting. If you utilise this strategy while you play blackjack, you will have to count Aces, 8s and 9s as 0. The deuces, 3s, 6s and 7s are worth +1, while 4s and 5s are worth +2. The value for 10s is -2.

Card ValueCount
4, 5count +2
2, 3, 6, 7count +1
8, 9, Acount 0
10, J, Q, Kcount -2

Zen Count

Zen Count is yet another system similar to Hi-Lo but the former is a little more complex. Even though the two methods of card counting resemble each other, the Zen Count provides a much better estimate of changes. This is why players who decide to use it may benefit a lot from learning this type of strategy. The system is definitely more suitable for seasoned players who are well aware of other card counting variations.

According to the Zen Count the 2s, 3s and 7s are valued +1 and 4s, 5s and 6s are worth +2. If you use this strategy the 10s would be counted as -1 and the Aces are worth -2 each. All of the rest of the cards in the deck are counted as neutral (0).

Card ValueCount
4, 5, 6count +2
2, 3, 7count +1
8, 9count 0
Acount -1
10, J, Q, Kcount -2

Wong Halves

If you think that the previous systems are quite difficult to comprehend, wait until you see the Wong Halves method of card counting. Memorizing the values of cards is quite difficult as the system uses fractions. Due to the complexity of this strategy, there are rarely players who use it at land-based casinos. This being said, Wong Halves has proven to be one of the most accurate systems that can improve the odds and turn the tables in favour of the player. If you learn how to apply this strategy, you will be able to make the optimal betting decisions that can bring you amazing payouts.

In the Wong Halves method of card counting, the Aces and 10s are worth -1, 9s are worth -0.5. The deuces and the 7s are counted as +0.5 if you utilise this counting system. The worth of 3s, 4s and 6s is +1, while 5s are worth +1.5. As you can see it is quite the work to remember the value you must give to each card.

Card ValueCount
5count +1.5
3, 4, 6count +1
2, 7count +0.5
8count 0
9count -0.5
10, J, Q, K, Acount -1

Is Card Counting Legal

Unless there are some types of devices used during the card counting, utilising this system is not illegal. Even though many brick-and-mortar casinos have tried to take some measures against the card counting strategy, at the end of the day, you cannot be judged for using your skills or count in your mind.

The issue comes from the fact that many land-based casinos do not accept players who use card counting as a technique for playing blackjack. This is because blackjack players who use this type of strategy can actually cause serious losses to the casino. The majority of gambling facilities even hire experts who can spot card counters and throw them out of the casino. The worst part is that if players are caught using one of these systems, they can be blacklisted from other brick-and-mortar casinos as well.

In conclusion, card counting is definitely not illegal and you are not breaking any type of regulation. However, you will have a hard time finding a land-based casino that will not kick you out if you are found out counting cards. Unfortunately, most online versions of blackjack are also designed to prevent players from using this type of strategy. The majority of virtual blackjack games shuffle the decks of cards after each hand is played. This makes card counting impossible.

Other Tips You should Know Before Playing Blackjack

One of the most common tips for any type of gambling, including blackjack, is to set your budget and stick to it no matter what. By doing this, you can be sure that even if you are not on a winning streak, you will not exceed the amount you are willing to lose.

Another tip is to be aware that nothing is certain in this type of games. The word “gambling” itself means that you are relying on your luck and risking something in the hope of gaining another thing. This is why you should not use blackjack strategies with the mindset that you are guaranteed to win. Even if you use the right type of tactic, you are lowering the house edge but the odds are still in favour of the gambling facility/website.

Last but not least, you should pick the right strategy for you. Although a level two system of card counting might sound tempting to use, you should stick to a simpler one, at least at the beginning of your blackjack adventures. This way you will be able to control your losses which can also be beneficial in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a term, used when there are different variations of blackjack and players need to get familiar with the rules used in the game of 21 they are playing. A blackjack variant that uses “Las Vegas rules” allows players to double down on their initial two cards. Re-splitting is also allowed, as well taking insurance. If you are playing with this type of rules the dealer can hit a soft 17.

The honest answer to this question is that nothing in this life is certain and gambling most definitely is not an exception to this rule. Even though card counting systems may improve your chances of winning, there is still a chance that you might lose your bet. This is why it is advised you set your budget and think about how much you are actually willing to lose before you start counting your winnings.

If you are using the basic blackjack strategy, you should not be thinking of taking insurance. In the case of card counting, however, players know when it is the right moment to make an insurance bet. If you are dealt a blackjack and the face-up card of the dealer is an Ace, you will simply have to take your chances. Refuse to take even money, when receiving payouts of 3:2 is much more beneficial for you.

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