Blackjack or 21

By Will Veda

Card Counting

Card counting is a strategy that allows the player to gain an advantage with additional information.  Casinos frown upon counters even though it is not illegal.  They can, however, bar you from playing Blackjack if you are caught or even suspected of counting.  So, if you count, you must also disguise that you’re doing so.  Card counting is relatively easy and you do not have to be Mr. Rain Man to master this science. 

When card counting was first realized, the casinos caught wind and began taking counter measures by changing many rules of the game.  Eventually the game’s rules made it nearly impossible to beat, so players quit playing and the casinos were forced to revert back to a lot of the old rules.  One rule they kept, however, was the use of multiple decks. 

The most common form of card counting is called the Hi-Lo system.  The Hi-Lo consists of placing a value of certain cards to determine when the deck is in favor of the player or vice versa.  When the deck has mostly high cards (ten-value and aces), it favors the player; when the deck has mostly low cards (two through six), it favors the house.  In the Hi-Lo, card values seven through nine are neutral.  If the count is low, the dealer may make his 15s and 16s by receiving those fives and sixes that are still hiding in the deck. 

To count, the player needs to keep a running value as cards are in play by assigning a positive one to cards values two through six, a negative one to ten-value cards and aces, and no value to cards values seven through nine.  For example, there are six players at the table: player one gets an ace (-1), player two gets a queen (-2), player three gets a four (-1 because you now place a positive 1), player four gets a six (0), player five gets a three (+1), player six gets a seven (still +1 because 7 is neutral), dealer card is unknown for now.  Then player one gets a five (+2), player two gets another queen (+1), player three gets a king (0), player four gets a five (+1), player five gets a jack (0), player six gets a six (+1), dealer now turns over his up-card that is a seven to make the count at +1.  As players receive their hit cards, keep the count going until the round ends. 

When the count starts to get into the plus three and up range, place more money out as you are likely to receive a couple of ten-value cards or even a Blackjack.  Sometimes it also a good idea by keeping a separate count of the Aces.  I do this by keeping a cheque in front of me and turning it as Aces are dealt out.  I assign one of the cheque’s lines as sort of a minute hand on a watch and when playing a single deck game I rotate it in a quarter turn to keep the Ace count going.  It is important to be discreet as mentioned earlier. 

It is also important not to draw too much attention on your wager amounts.  If you are constantly betting $5 a hand and the count becomes high, placing a $100 bet at this time will most certainly draw heat from the pit personnel. 

This type of card counting is pretty much only useful for single deck play with good penetration (cut card deep within the deck).   Also according to the count, some variations to Basic Strategy may be necessary.  For instance, if the count is a plus seven and you hold a 16 against the dealer’s ten, it may be wise to stand.  The dealer will probably have a ten-value in the hole, but if he has a two through six, chances are the draw card will result in a bust. 

Hi-Lo can be used for multiple deck play, but additional work is necessary.  The counter now needs to pay attention to the discard tray and begin calculating the remaining quantity of cards still in play.  This takes a lot of practice by eyeing the discarded cards and adjusting the count by the estimated cards still in the multi-deck.  Myself, I find it pretty useless to card count against an eight-deck shoe.  However, four decks—if a game can still be found—is worth the effort. 

With the advent of the automatic shuffle machine, card-counting games are becoming harder to find. 

There are also many new and more detailed counting systems cropping up everywhere.  By doing some research, you may find a system best suited for you.  There are a myriad of books and websites available that covers all the systems. 

By the way, Rain Man was not actually counting cards, he was memorizing each and every card.  Too much for my feeble brain to process. 

Dos and Don’ts

Do: Use basic strategy at all times, unless a card count suggests against the move. 

Do: Count cards, especially at single or double deck games. 

Do: Take advantage of offensive plays.  Get more money out there when the dealer may be in trouble. 

Do: Disguise your abilities if you become proficient at counting.  Act like you’re a novice or drunk or are watching the waitresses.  Heavy concentration of the game will lead to heat. 

Don’t: Ever take even money with a blackjack against the dealer’s Ace up card. 

Don’t: Ever take insurance against the dealer’s Ace up card, although, if the count is high, insurance may be a good bet.

Don’t: Play games with automatic shuffle machines.  Not only is card counting impossible, there is no break to allow for dealer shuffling.  Breaks are sometimes necessary for the psyche.  

Don’t: Mimic the dealer’s house rules.  One of the few advantages the player has is he does not have to hit a 16 where the dealer does.  Dealer’s also cannot split or double down

By all means, Don’t: ever, ever play the latest games in Vegas that offer only 6 to 5 Blackjack payoffs, which is found in quite a few single deck games.  Like in the 60’s when casinos so drastically changed the rules after Dr. Thorpe’s’ book, people boycotted the game.  We must all band together and boycott this atrocious rule!

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