Card Counting Rules
Of all the games available in casinos, blackjack offers the player the greatest possible chance for monetary success. Perfect basic strategy coupled with some basic rules about counting cards can give players an edge over the house. While card counting might seem too complicated to master, it's actually easy to learn.
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Misconceptions
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The No. 1 misconception is that it can only be accomplished by MIT students, autistic savants and other math giants. Anyone who can add and subtract can learn card-counting rules that can help increase their odds. Counting cards doesn't mean keeping track of every card in the deck but using a system to determine whether the current situation favors the player or the house.
Function
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Card-counting rules are based on a simple principle: High cards are more favorable to the player than to the dealer. That means all you need to do is keep track of the relative number of high and low cards. Dozens of systems have been devised to do just that, the simplest of which is called "Hi-Lo." Each card is assigned a value. When the player sees that card, he adds that value to the running count. The values are as follows: Ace, 10, jack, queen and king (minus 1); 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (1); 7, 8 and 9 (zero).
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Benefits
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By using those rules, players can erase the house advantage and give themselves a small edge. The higher the count becomes, the better the odds are at that moment. A high positive count gives you a huge edge, a sign to increase your bet. Conversely, a very high negative number means the odds aren't in your favor, and you should bet small. On top of that, a high count means the deck is full of 10s, which make standing on hands between 12 and 16 a better idea. A higher count also increases the chance of a dealer blackjack, which means taking insurance becomes more favorable.
History
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Card counting rules have received a lot of attention because of movies and other publicity. But card counting has more than a 40-year history. The first card-counting system was published by Edward O. Thorp in 1962's "Beat the Dealer." Although his early system was less profitable than those to come later, Thorp was the first to prove blackjack is a beatable game.
Warning
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Counting cards is not illegal, but it is strongly frowned upon by casinos. In most gambling establishments, if you are found to be counting cards, you will be asked to leave. This means discretion is advisable. For those looking for a way to exercise their card-counting skills without arousing attention from the pit bosses, elimination blackjack tournaments are a great idea.
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References
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- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
