Here at Game2Bet, we love online casino games, and today we have a juicy topic for you. Picture the scene. A guy enters the casino and goes straight to the blackjack table. His face is set in stone and his mind is focused. He starts betting, and he is good at it. He knows when to push, he knows when to stop, and he is making money! However, how does he do it? How is he so good at this? Well, ladies and gentlemen, that’s what we call card counting.
What is card counting?
Now, let’s get into the basics. In blackjack, card counting determines whether the next hand will be advantageous to the player or the dealer. It is the aim and intention of the card counters to keep a count of the high and low-value cards that appear in the game, as is evident in the game, and minimize the house’s edge as much as possible. By counting the cards, players can define the composition of the remaining cards before dealing and playing them, reducing their losses.
How it works?
Players who work card counting change their game based on the composition of the cards left with the dealer. By combining these factors, blackjack players can reverse the casino’s advantage. Essentially, card counting works as follows:
- A player assigns a value to each card based on its face and number, either negative, positive, or zero.
- They keep a 'running count' based on the cards dealt.
- When a player is confident in the 'true count', they can change their bets according to their advantage.
- With fewer cards, the player makes more decisive bets and improves their true count.
Anyone with patience, practice, and attention to detail can learn this blackjack strategy. However, learning to count cards is worth your time and effort, as it is one of the most effective strategies for winning at blackjack. Now, let’s analyze one of the more popular card-counting methods so you can get a better understanding of what we are talking about.
The Hi-Lo Method
Hi-Lo is the most widespread counting method in blackjack. It consists of analyzing the probability of high and low cards appearing, thus creating a certain predictability. To use it, you need to follow the three steps below.
First step: assign values to the cards
The aim is to assign a value to each card that is revealed, which can be +1, 0, or -1. If a number between 2 and 6 appears, it will be considered +1. Cards from 7 to 9 will be assigned a value of 0. Finally, Aces and the 10 cards (King, Queen, and Jack) will be assigned a value of -1.
Second step: counting the value of the cards on the table
The player needs to pay attention to all the cards revealed on the table and add them up. At the end of the first round, if the sum is high, the probability that the next cards will also be high increases. On the other hand, if the sum is low, the likelihood of low-value cards appearing is greater.
Step three: analyze your hand and assess the odds
By knowing whether high or low cards are more likely to come up, the player can make decisions about risking receiving more cards. In addition, it is essential to note that if the sum of the cards in your hand is 1, the advantage is in your favor. On the other hand, if the sum is -1, folding may be a wise choice, since the table has the statistical advantage. And these are the basics of the Hi-Lo method! Now, the question of the day: Is doing all this even legal in the first place?
Is it illegal?
Technically no. For example, the laws of the USA and Great Britain do not prohibit card counting. Casinos, however, strictly prohibit players from using any external card-counting device or person to assist them in counting cards. As a rule, casinos are against card counting. They often ban suspected card counters from playing in casinos. Even though many casinos don’t have the legal right to ban players, considering that a casino is private property, they can expel card counters. Many casinos, especially ones located in Nevada, rigorously ban the use of any card-counting app or device. The reason is that card counters can significantly decrease the house edge, causing the casino to lose money.
For online casinos, things are a bit different. Some virtual casinos have mechanisms to prevent efficient counting. You should pay attention to two variables: whether doubling after splitting is not allowed, or whether there is random shuffling. If they are present, these techniques will not give the same results. In addition, if you are caught using any type of external aid in your card counting, you may have your account banned or suspended by the casino.
Card Counting - The final shuffle
To make a long story short, card counting is a useful, if advanced technique that can help you get an edge against the casinos. However, it is not easy, nor a 100% sure method to win. One way or the other, mastering this technique can only work in your favor. So, now it is time to hit the casinos, and opening a Game2Bet account is the best way to do it online. So don’t waste any more time and best of luck to you!
