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The count of cards in Blackjack

September 10th, 2010 by admin

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The count of cards is a logic continuation of the base strategy in Blackjack. The use of this strategy does not demand phenomenal memory or deep mathematical knowledge though the first systems of the count of cards have been developed by mathematicians and have been published in scientific magazines. Being armed with a good and convenient system of the count of cards it is possible to reduce and even to eliminate the advantage of the casino, hence, it is possible to win in Blackjack at each visiting of a casino.

The strategy of the count of cards is based on probabilities and the count of all cards participating in the game and it is actually not so difficult. The count of cards is necessary for revealing of a situation favorable to the player and installation of higher bets.

The basic provisions of the count of cards are the following.

All cards are divided on two categories. The first category is the high cards – the cards, which have the nominal size 10 (tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Asses). The second category is the low cards – all other cards. When there are in a pack many high cards (it is usually said that the pack is rich with tens), the chances of the player to win the round raise and by the dealer the probability to receive an excess raises. If in a pack there are a lot of cards of the second category (it is usually said that the pack is poor in tens), the dealer has more chances to win. If the pack is neutral (neither rich, nor poor game), in dependence of the rules of the given online casino can be both favorable and also unprofitable for the player.

Let’s consider the most widespread system of the count of cards in Blackjack.

I. The Consecutive count (system plus-minus).

This system has been offered in 1963 by Hurvey Dubner.

The essence of the system of the count by Dubner: to each card leaving the pack the certain factor (nominal sizes are not considered) is appropriated,

- To cards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 the value +1 is appropriated;

- To cards 7, 8, 9 the value 0 is appropriated;

- To cards 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ass is appropriated the value-1.

The count of cards begins with the first game. The initial count is equal to zero (quantity of cards with the value +1 in one pack to equally quantity of cards with the value-1, on 20 cards). After each delivery of cards summarize their factors. At the positive count the probability of a player’s prize increases (the higher the count is, the higher are the chances of the player to win), at the negative count the probability of a prize decreases. For example, at the first delivery of cards by the player are 2, 4, 4, a Jack (1+1+1-1 = + 2), by the dealer are 3, 8, an Ass, 7 (+1+0-1+0=0), the total account is +2. At the second distribution by the player are 10, 3, 8 (-1+1+0=0), by the dealer 2, 6, 6, 5 (1+1+1+1 = + 4) – the count after two delivery is +6. At the third delivery by the player are 7, 7, 4 (+0+0+1=1), by the dealer a Jack and a Queen (-1-1 =-2), the count after three delivery is +5.

Thus, if the consecutive count is more than zero, than it is possible to make bets. If the consecutive account is less than zero it is better to pass some rounds until the consecutive count becomes more than zero.

Unfortunately, the consecutive count does not answer on the main questions: how do the chances of the player change depending on the count when it is necessary to raise the bets? The matter is that the consecutive count (system plus – minus) does not consider the quantity of the remained cards in the pack. Let the consecutive count be +5. It is good enough for the player if in the pack there were, for example, 40 cards remained, at the same time it will be no use, if in the shoe there were, for example, 320 cards remained. To receive a true representation about the chances it is necessary to use the real (or true) count.

 II. Real (the true count).

 The real count is defined by the division of the consecutive count into number of the packs which have remained in game. For example: if the game is conducted with 6 packs, at the game beginning the consecutive count shares on 6. After several deliveries in game there are 52 cards remained and the consecutive count is equal to +15. For the real count it is received +15:5 = + 3 if the consecutive count at this moment is +11, the real count is +11:5 = + 2.2, approximating we will receive +2.

At an exit from the game of two packs, we divide the consecutive count on 4 and so on.

The calculation of number of the packs which have remained in game can lead to some difficulties. For simplification of the count it is possible to look simply at a pile of the played cards and having estimated their quantity, to count up number of the remained packs. For example, if the number of the played cards is nearby 120, in game remains (6×52-100):52 approximately 4 packs. For this purpose it is necessary to train regularly that will learn at least to estimate roughly the quantity of cards containing in the pile. Another variant is to consider the quantity of the played rounds taking into count the number of the players participating in the casino game. For example, if you play in private with the dealer, than on the average during a game leave approximately 6 cards, hence, after 8 rounds the number of the remained packs is 5, after 16 – four and so on. If behind a table there are two players after each round leave on the average 9 cards, hence, the number of packs decreases on 1 after 6 rounds. When behind a table there are three players on the average 12 cards per round leave, therefore the number of packs decreases on 1 after 4 rounds.

Example: Behind a Blackjack table there are 4 players and the dealer. 6 packs participate in the game. 10 rounds are played. Hence, in the game there were 3 packs (3x5x10=150 – used cards). If, for example, the consecutive count is equal to +12, then the real count is +12:3 = + 4.

Let’s assume that the minimum bet is $5. The real count is used for definition of size of bets as follows:

- If the real count is less than +0, it is necessary to reduce the bets to the minimum bet or in general to pass the game;

- If the real count is 0, your bet is the minimum one (that is $5);

- If the real count is +1, it is possible to double the bet ($10);

- If the real count is +2 or +3, it is possible to triple the bet ($15);

- If the real count is +4, the bet can be increased in 4 times ($20);

- If the real count is +5 or +6, the bet it is possible to increase in 6 times ($30);

- If the real count is +7, the bet can be increased in 8 times ($40);

- If the real count is +8, the bet can be increased in 10 times ($50);

- If the real count is +9, the bet can be increased in 12 times ($60);

- If the real count is +10 and above, establish the highest allowed bet.

Attention! If the true count is +4 and more, it is necessary to correct the base strategy if the true count is +3 and more the casino player should buy the insurance.

more:  Basic Blackjack Strategy and Blackjack Bonuses

 

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