how do you count cards in blackjack?

Answer 1

There are multiple ways to count, but the easiest is count

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 as -1
7, 8, 9 as 0
10, J, Q, K, A as +1.

starting at zero after a shuffle.

That will be your "running count" which you have to divide by the number of decks which have not been dealt yet.

The higher the true count, the more the the remaining cards are in your favor.

If the true count gets to +1 or better increase the size of your bet. Do not increase it too much since, even with the deck in your favor, you are still going to lose a lot of hands.

Ideally you also change how you play depending on the count, but in Vegas you get asked to leave the table sooner if you do.

How you change your play depends, in part, on the exact rules of the table and would get fairly involved. If you want to learn more, there are multiple good books that give the details.

Also remember the counting improves your odds. It does not mean you will always win.

Answer 2

You have to be very good and very intelligent to count cards. Basically all cards either get a plus one or a minus one, also there are 3 cards that are zeros. Once you get plus so many in the deck you bet out big, because the deck favors you. But you have to know every single card that has been dealt to every player at the table. You can't be off by any more then one or two or you may be betting at the wrong time, plus with the new policy's such as using more then two decks of cards and random re-shuffles by the dealers it is hard to cheat the casinos.

Answer 3

There are many methods you can use, but the easiest is just to count up from 0 every time a ten or ace comes but take one away if a 2-6 comes up. If you have a really low number then there are a ton of tens left. If you want to add for the low numbers and take away for the tens you can do that too, then a high count will mean to raise your bet.

For a complete beginner, just watch for the tens. If there haven't been too many coming out then its time to raise your bet.

Answer 4

It really helps if you know your math--along the level of an honors M.I.T. physics student. Next, understand how many "shoes" or decks of cards is played per table.

I believe eight "shoes" are average for one such table, unless it's a variant of Blackjack--which often do pop up in casinos.

OK....so you got the math skills and you now know the "inside low" on your favorite table....now.....do you have the photographic memory????

Aha!!! It really helps if you have......if you have.....grrrrrr....uh.....I kinda forgot....what was it???? Oh yeah---photographic memory!!! That's it....yeah!!!!

Answer 5

2-10 = themselves

J-Q-K = 10

A = 1 or 11