YES! Counting the cards at the blackjack table in a casino gives you an advantage on the house if you do it properly. Knowing for a fact that high cards like tens and aces are better for players, and low cards especially the 4s, 5s and 6s are better for the casino dealer, we start our card counting.
It’s a popular myth but card counters don’t have a super brain or use photographic memory to count cards. The cards are not counted on their own value but the strategy is to assign a value to each card (value positive, negative or zero). ’Rainman’ can be great with counting six decks of cards (or a box of matches) but this has nothing to with Blackjack card counting.
So each card gets an assigned value of +1, -1 or 0. After dealing the card the count is adjusted to the particulair cards ‘assigned’ value. Low cards will increase the count as they increase the number of high cards (percentage wise) in the shoe, which is better for the player. High cards are counted opposite of course. (e.g. Hi-Lo system adds one value for a card between 2-6 and and takes a value of the count for every Ten and/or Ace. Cards 7,8, and 9 have no effect in the count. This system is known as the one level (single) card count system, cause it never adds or lowers the count with more then one value per card.
Then we have the Zen Count which is known as a multilevel card count system and is more accurat for the player. Besides cards having an assigned value of +1, -1 or 0 additional values are added like +2, -2 even up to +5. More side count techniques exist like special-purpose counts which are used when attacking games with nonstandard profitable-play options such as an over/under side bet. However with additional (more difficult) added values indirect this effects the players ability to concentrate on the game and make quick decisions. Take in consideration that a blackjack card counter plays on a professional base so he needs to figure out whether a lot of quick hands on a simple card counting strategy pays off more then winning hands with more accuracy.
Just to make sure, card counting is not prohibited by the US law. As card counting gives a player advantage on the house this is considered skill gaming. Nevertheless casinos have the right to exclude you form their blackjack tables as they are private companies.
But at the end card counting works, master the skill at home and make your own money next time when you are in a casino!
Babe xxx
Tags: Blackjack, card counting
