Card Counting
Is Card Counting Permited?
How to Count Cards
Unbalanced 10 Count System
Where to Sit
Practice Card Counting
Many experienced players obtain an edge over the casino by applying
card counting strategies. Card Counting strategies can give experienced
players an edge of up to 1.5 percent. There are many different systems
available to players that would like to learn these strategies, some
are very simple and easy to apply, while others are very sophisticated
and hard to learn. It seems to be a common subject of debate as to
which card counting system works best, we advise that you find a system
that works best for you. Simply meaning that even if a complex system
is mathematically better, it may be difficult to learn or apply and
a simpler system may produce better results. We suggested that you
only apply a card counting system that you understand completely and
are comfortable applying.
Many casinos would like their patrons to believe that card counting is not allowed, however quite the opposite is true. In many location throughout the world Blackjack tables are licensed as a game of skill, therefor counting cards, which is accurately defined as a skill set can not legally be prohibited. It is important to note that although it legally should not happen, many casinos ban players that they suspect of counting cards.
The “Unbalanced 10 Count” card counting system is an excellent system to explain the premise behind card counting, and it’s mathematically perfect for determining when to make an insurance bet. There are numerous other card counting systems available to players; and players that invest in learning and practicing a system consistently win more money than average players.
Unbalanced 10 Count System – 1 Deck
• The count starts at -4 before the deal.
• Count +1 for all of the other cards, this includes aces.
• Small bets are advised when the count is below -2, and big
bets are advised when the count is above –2.
• Make the insurance bet when the count is positive.
• Play according to the basic strategy tables
Unbalanced 10 Count System – Multiple Deck
• The count starts at –4 multiplied by the number of
decks being used. For example –4 * 6 decks = -24.
• Count -2 for all 10’s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings.
• Count +1 for all of the other cards, this includes aces.
• Small bets are advised when the count is below -2, and big
bets are advised when the count is above –2.
• Make the insurance bet when the count is positive.
• Play according to the basic strategy tables.
As mentioned above the Unbalanced 10 count system is mathematically perfect for determining when to make an insurance bet. When the count is above –2 the player should make an insurance bet and when the count is below –2 the player should not make an insurance bet as the casino has a mathematical advantage.
Where to sit on a Blackjack table.
If you are just starting to play Blackjack and/or you are only using
the basically strategy tables your position on the table is not important.
However for players that are applying card counting techniques it
is suggested to sit a 3rd base. This is the seat on the table that
the dealers plays last in the table rotation, from 3rd base a player
has the chance to get a stronger count by counting the other players
cards before making a bet.
If you plan on learning to count cards it is advised that you learn
the basics and premise behind card counting before you learn any particular
system. A good place to start from is learning how to count through
a deck of cards. Start the count at –4 and go through the entire
deck, count –2 for all the cards valued at 10 and count +1 for
all the other cards. Your count should be 0 after you have counted
the entire deck. It is advised that you can count through the deck
quickly without mistakes before you move on to any particular system.
It is suggested that you practice your basic skills online, bet small
or play for free until you feel confident that you can win with the
system.