Counting cards in Blackjack

Card counting is the procedure of working with the chance that one has the edge, primarily in blackjack and its derivatives.

Card counting is the procedure of working with the chance that one has the edge, primarily in blackjack and its derivatives. This can be attained in several various ways, all based around the principle of tracking the rate of low to higher cards at any given stage in the game. The basic idea is that higher cards are more useful for the player, while low cards, namely 4s, 5s, and 6s, are more suitable for the dealer. This is because higher cards, specifically aces and tens, offer a greater odds of a blackjack, and smaller value cards lower the chance that the dealer will bust (as he is required to hit stiff hands, whereas the player may hit or stand as she sees fit).

The process is not illegal, although casinos preserve the right to deny players that are known or suspected card counters. Card counting does not involve influencing the deck in any way, but rather, the player's own meaning of the deck. Each card the player sees is given a score which estimates the value of that card in relation to the game, and the sum of those values can be tracked. There are a assortment of different ranking methods, but all involve designating a positive, negative, or null value to each card. When a new card is dealt, its value influences the sum of the running count. Low cards will increase the count, as their occurrence means that the percent of higher cards remaining is increased. Higher cards, likewise, lessen the count.

The High-Low system, a common and rather basic process, adds one for each card valued 2-6, and subtracts one for any ten through ace, while the 7, 8, and 9 receive no value. It is considered an easy technique to learn and maintain because of its single-level count; the count is never increased or decreased by any more than one. This makes it easier for the player to keep track of and still keep his head in the game itself.

The Zen Count, on the other hand, is a bit more intricate and allows for more pinpointed accuracy in figuring probability. The more important cards, 4-6, are given a +2 value, while the 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all given a value of -2. The 2, 3, and 7 are assigned values of +1, the ace is a -1, and the 8 and 9 are null. This approach is a multilevel count, and while it is considered more precise, it requires more thought and time, and may consequently keep one from playing as precisely, defeating the purpose of the system one is using.

If a player is able to play more rapidly and thus earn more money using a simpler system, there is little point in using a more detailed and precise technique, but this is solely up to personal expertise and preference. Many more counting cards systems exist to enhance one's blackjack expertise. It is merely an issue of trial and error to find which technique is best for the specific player.

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