Counting cards in Blackjack

Card counting is the process of handling the probability that one has the advantage, primarily in blackjack and its derivatives. This can be achieved in several different methods, all based around the principle of tracking the proportion of low to high cards at any given stage in the game.

Card counting is the process of handling the probability that one has the advantage, primarily in blackjack and its derivatives. This can be achieved in several different methods, all based around the principle of tracking the proportion of low to high cards at any given stage in the game. The basic idea is that high cards are more important for the player, while low cards, namely 4s, 5s, and 6s, are more suitable for the dealer. This is because high cards, specifically aces and tens, offer a greater odds of a blackjack, and smaller value cards reduce the possibility that the dealer will bust (as he is required to hit stiff hands, whereas the player may hit or stand as she sees fit).

The practice is not illegal, although casinos preserve the right to disallow players that are known or assumed card counters. Card counting does not involve affecting the deck in any way, but rather, the player's own interpretation of the deck. Each card the player sees is given a score which states the value of that card in relation to the game, and the sum of those values is tracked. There are a variety of different ranking systems, but all involve designating a positive, negative, or null value to each card. When a new card is dealt, its value affects the sum of the running count. Low cards will increase the count, as their presence means that the percentage of higher cards remaining is increased. Higher cards, likewise, decrease the count.

The High-Low system, a popular and rather easy technique, adds one for each card valued 2-6, and subtracts one for any ten through ace, while the 7, 8, and 9 receive no value. It is regarded an easy program to learn and maintain because of its single-level count; the count is never increased or decreased by any more than one. This makes it easier for the player to keep track of and still keep his head in the game itself.

The Zen Count, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated and allows for more pinpointed accuracy in surmising possibility. The more important cards, 4-6, are allocated a +2 value, while the 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all assigned a value of -2. The 2, 3, and 7 are designated values of +1, the ace is a -1, and the 8 and 9 are null. This technique is a multilevel count, and while it is regarded as more accurate, it requires more consideration and time, and may therefore stop one from playing as accurately, defeating the purpose of the program one is using.

If a player is able to play faster and thus make more money using a simpler method, there is little point in using a more comprehensive and accurate system, but this is entirely up to personal expertise and preference. Many more counting cards systems exist to enhance one's blackjack expertise. It is merely an issue of learning from mistakes to find which system is best for the individual player.

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