How to Count Cards With the Lio System
Counting cards with the Hi/Lo system gives you a significant advantage over opponents. The purpose of the Hi/Lo technique is to increase the predictability of a high or low card being served by the dealer. Hi/Lo involves a simple counting technique and is applicable when playing with any number of people. The trick to succeeding with Hi/Lo counting is to employ the Running County rule and divide the cards into three distinct categories: low cards, middle cards and high cards.
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Instructions
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Identify the card categories in the following manner: two through six are the low cards; seven through nine are the middle cards; 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace are the high cards.
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Memorize the Running Count rule: add one for every low card dealt; add zero for middle cards; and subtract one for every high card. For example, say you are playing cards with three other players for a total of four players. The dealer deals two cards each. The cards are dealt in the following manner: Player 1: 2, 4; Player 2: 7, 9; Player 3: King, 2; Player 4: Queen, Ace.
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Perform the Running Count calculation. Add one for the 2 and another one for the 4. You now have two. Add zero for both the 7 and 9. You still have two. Subtract one for the King and add one for the 2. You now have two. Subtract one for the Queen and another one for the Ace. You now have zero.
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When the count is above zero it indicates that extra low cards were dealt. If the count is greater than zero it means more high cards remain in the deck. Hence, when the count is greater than zero and the next deal is your's, it is to your advantage.
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Tips & Warnings
Never count cards in a game when it is prohibited by house rules.
References
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