How To Read Cards Blackjack

“Let’s hit the cas” are a string of words guaranteed to fire up a bit of excitement and a hint of nervous energy through the group. Instantly, the tantalising (though unlikely) prospect of winning big comes to mind, quickly reinforced by the memory of your mate Dazza’s big win on Roulette last month.

This makes sense, since counting cards online would be so easy. You could even use a pen and paper! Of course, playing online is still a great way to practice, so keep your blackjack casino online accounts open while you learn to count cards. Read, read, read. 1,391 8 minutes read. Their initial two-card hand after and only after the dealer checks their cards and ascertained that they don’t have blackjack. Once a player draws a card, surrendering is no longer an option. If the dealer has blackjack. Description: “Blackjack: Play Like The Pros” is endorsed by 9-time WSOP winner Phil Hellmuth, Jr. This book teaches players the basics of the game but also instructs the reader in basic strategy and card counting. A great place to start if you are new to the game of blackjack! Click here to read more about Blackjack.

As it turns out, Australians shelled out $181 billion at domestic casinos and gaming venues in the 2017-18 financial year, equivalent to more than $9,100 per person over the age of 18. This is an alarming number given the fact that only 39% of people admit to being regular gamblers. Of that money spent, roughly $20 billion was lost.

At the core of all casinos and their success is the law of probability. It is their bread and butter and the lifeblood of their cash cow. Put simply, casinos offer a game with rules that place the odds slightly in their favour. Some people will win and some people will lose, but in the long run the casino will always accrue more money that it loses. The best example of this is betting on a number in Roulette. A correct bet on a number attracts a payout 1:35, but there are a total of 38 numbers on the American wheels commonly found in Australian casinos, thus creating a house margin of 5.26%. In Blackjack, the house margin is around 0.5% assuming the player uses perfect ‘basic strategy’, but actually sits closer to 2% when accounting for a range of skill levels.

But what if you could influence these odds to increase your chances of winning? Enter the method of how to count cards, a highly glamourised Blackjack technique used to beat casinos at their own game. Ever since Hollywood trotted out an autistic Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man and an arguably handicapped Zach Galifinakis in The Hangover, the general public seems to think you need to either be on the spectrum or a true genius to keep track of playing cards. In reality, it’s much easier.

How to count cards in Blackjack

It's not as hard as it looks to count cards in Blackjack. Check out more awesome BuzzFeedBlue videos! MUSIC THE JIG IS UP Licen. Colin has been counting cards for over 15 years, and ran a multi-million dollar blackjack team. You may have seen his team featured in the documentary Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting.

Blackjack is unique in that it can be legally beaten. It is the only game in the casino where past outcomes can influence future outcomes. If you think that betting on red after five black numbers in Roulette is smart, please stop reading.

Realistically, there is no way to know for certain which card will be drawn next, but the art of counting cards hinges on giving you a hint of what it might be. By having an idea of what cards remain to be dealt, we are able to increase our probability of making a good call.

The basic premise is as follows:

As cards from the shoe (finite numbers of decks from which cards may be dealt from, usually six) are dealt, we are given information about which cards remain. For example, if we see six King of Spades drawn, we know that there is now no chance of a further King of Spades being drawn until the shoe is finished.

Blackjack Cards Play

By taking notice of the cards that have already been dealt, we can start making guesses on what remains with greater accuracy. Card counting, or at least the method we will discuss here, simplifies this concept by focusing on low and high cards as groups, rather than getting into specifics.

Inherently, high-number cards are more desirable in Blackjack because they make it easier to achieve a result closer to 21. When there are a greater proportion of high-number cards remaining in the shoe than low-number cards, the shoe is ‘running hot’ and we want to increase the size of our bets. Conversely, more low-number cards remaining to be dealt means the shoe is ‘running cold’ because it is easier for the dealer to draw a good hand, and we should decrease the size of our bets.

In terms of keeping track of what cards have been dealt, the following method can be used. This is the actual ‘counting’, and it’s the part that gets most hopeful punters into a tailspin. That said, it’s easier than one would think if you’re willing to put in some time, effort and a fair bit of practice.

1.Assign Each Card A Value

This is called the ‘High-Low’ method. We segregate the cards into three groups by number, then assign that group a value as follows:

• Numbers 2 – 6: +1
• Numbers 7 – 9: 0
• Numbers 10 – Ace: -1

2. Keep a Running Count

As cards are dealt throughout the game, calculate the sum of the assigned values. For example, consider the below hands:

• Dealer: 6 (+1); 5 (+1).
• Player 1: Ace (-1); Ace (-1).
• Player 2: King (-1); 9 (0).
• Count, or sum of the above values = -1

As the game progresses and we add each hand’s value to the Running Count, we may see the Running Count going heavily negative or positive. A negative Running Count means there are more low-number, undesirable cards remaining to be dealt. A positive Running Count means there are more high-number, desirable cards to be dealt.

3. Calculate The True Count

The True Count is the Running Count adjusted for how many decks remain to be dealt from the shoe. A high Running Count means very little if only one of six decks have been dealt from the shoe because it represents a small sample size of the total card pool.

To calculate the True Count at any given time, divide the Running Count by the number of decks remaining. For example, if we have a Running Count of +9 and there are 3 decks remaining, the True Count is +3.

4. Change Your Bets As The True Count Increases

Firstly, a player needs to establish what their betting unit is, which is based on their total bankroll. A betting unit’s size relative to a bankroll is key for ensuring a player doesn’t run out of cash. Assuming perfect play, a 1:400 betting unit to bankroll ratio gives a player a 40% chance of running out of money. At 1:1000, that chance of ruin shrinks to 1%.

When assessing a betting strategy, it’s important to remember that counting is only effective in the long run, which means grinding for hours at the table. A True Count of +10 (the table is running as hot as Margot Robbie) is actually only a 4.5% edge for the player, so there’s no point throwing the house on the next hand.

There are endless strategies on how to adjust bet sizes based on the True Count, but a decent basic tactic is to bet your betting unit multiplied by the True Count plus one. For example, if your betting unit is $10 and the True Count is +3, then your bet is $10 * (1+3) = $40. When the true count is negative or zero, bet one unit.

Running Defence

Now for the big caveat: most Australian casinos shuffle the shoe using machines between each hand, thus rendering effective card counting impossible. However, traditional shoes are still found at high roller tables and in private rooms, where table minimum bets can be as low as $50.

Interestingly, plenty of casinos in the US stick with traditional shoes that make card counting possible despite the risk because they’ve found that the revenue from people who attempt and fail to count cards outweighs the losses from successful counters, if policed strictly.

In terms of countermeasures, casinos and their dealers are adept at spotting card counting. A dealer will generally signal their suspicions to a pit boss, who will monitor the situation. If you are suspected of counting cards, the casino may reshuffle the deck early, limit your maximum bet, or ask you to quit playing. The hardest part of counting cards isn’t actually executing the technique, but rather going about your business undetected. A player betting large amounts in perfect proportion to the count will generally be picked up by a casino with alarming haste.

So what happens if you get caught? Well, the good news is that you haven’t broken the law, provided your cash was gainfully earned. Card counting using the above method isn’t a crime because you are playing a private game of chance offered by the casino with a set of rules. There is very little legal precedent in Australia and even the US, with casinos choosing mostly to deal with issues in-house. At worst, players are usually asked to leave and refused entry in the future. The above is a general suggestion only and shouldn’t be taken as advice or relied upon.

If this guide on how to count cards seems a bit complicated, you could always follow in the footsteps of this Crown casino dealer who made millions by eavesdropping on gamblers’ stock picks.

Blackjack combines random chance with a low house edge and player skill. Players love the game because it is both challenging and – if you wish – relatively low risk.

Some people can play blackjack for hours. For some the game is a chance to be social. For some the game is an intellectual challenge.

No matter your style of play or why you’re at the table, you only have 1 opponent: the dealer.

A common mistake I myself used to make was believing that other players’ choices affected my own chances of winning or losing. The number of cards left to play dwindles regardless of where you sit at the table. If you’re counting cards then you just count what has been played.

When it’s your turn you need to focus on what is in the dealer’s hand. The up card should play a bigger role in your next decision than how many face cards you’ve counted since the last shuffle.

If you want to win blackjack more often than anyone else then get a job as a dealer. Blackjack dealers are there to handle the cards and enforce the rules. They don’t have to worry about strategy because the rules decide their strategy.

If you count cards you should also know what counter measures the casino is using.

The tips that follow assume you’re playing a table with 4 to 8 decks in the shoe. The goal here is to simplify your decision-making, so it’s easier to see which strategy you want to use.

You should be able to apply these principles to any variation on blackjack. The less time you spend second-guessing yourself the better. Learn from your mistakes and take advantage of online blackjack games to practice simplified strategy.

Here is what you need to know about reading the dealer’s up card.

1 – It’s Your Entire Hand Versus 1 Card

Always count your points first. If you’re holding 18 or higher you’re done. Stand.

Less experienced blackjack players don’t understand why they shouldn’t split 10s. They see two 10 cards, not 20 points.

See the points first and the cards second.

All you’ll ever see in most versions of blackjack is the dealer’s up card. Look at your hand first and recognize either the pair you’re holding or the total points you’re holding.

In most versions of blackjack if you’re holding 4 through 8 points you always hit regardless of what the dealer’s up card is. After you hit you’re dealing with a soft count, never a hard count.

When thinking about strategy it’s easy to confuse the rules for soft or hard 13 but they do make a difference. And the dealer’s up card affects that decision, too.

2 – Assume Nothing about the Dealer’s Chances

You may have a strategy card you rely on, or you may have memorized every strategy play in the book. Either way you feel confident you know what to do in every situation.

By all means play basic strategy but remember that you’re pitting your probabilities against the casino’s probabilities. The probabilities always favor the casino.

They won’t play a losing game. You have two things going for you: skill and luck. The casino has three things going for it: the game rules, the final play, and the probabilities.

Put another way, you’re pitting strategy against rules in a game of luck. The rules have the advantage over blackjack strategy. The game is exciting because the rules give the house such a small advantage players have a real chance of coming out ahead.

Regardless of what the dealer’s up card is you don’t know what she’ll turn up when play returns to her. Frankly, if every player busts it doesn’t matter what comes next – unless you’re playing No Bust Blackjack, which is not a very common variant.

Perfect strategy only prevents you from busting when you stand. If you take a card it could be the wrong card.

And by the same token, standing doesn’t guarantee you’ll win. That’s the nature of gambling.

3 – Read the Dealer Card as High or Low

If the dealer up card is 2 through 7 it’s low. If it’s 8 through ace it’s high. Some people split the range differently but you’ll see why I do it this way as you read on.

When you look at strategy charts one pattern should stand out quickly. You’re going to hit more often when the dealer card is 8 through ace.

That doesn’t mean you always hit on a high dealer card, but if the dealer is showing at least an 8 you’ll have an easier time remembering when you should not hit.

Assuming you are playing 4-8 decks in a shoe, the strategy is very consistent.

If your hard point count is at least 13 and the dealer’s up card is less than 7, you should stand.

If your soft point count you’ll need to put a little more thought into what to do. You’ll always hit if your soft point count is less than 18. But on some of these plays you’ll want to double.

Knowing you need to hit is the simple part of the strategy. Master the strategies for doubling instead of trying to memorize every possible variant on hitting.

4 – One Split Decision Ignores the Dealer Card

When you’re dealt two cards you’ll want to think about what you should do. That’s usually based on what the dealer’s up card is in addition to what your pair is.

One rare exception to this rule is to always split aces. No need to think about it.

5 – The Next Easiest Rules to Remember for Splits

You’ll always split 8s if the dealer stands on soft 17 but you won’t split 8s if (the dealer hits on soft 17 and holds an ace). I put parentheses around that to make it clear the second decision depends on two conditions.

Technically, when the dealer hits on soft 17 the recommendation is to surrender 8s against an ace if you can, otherwise fight the uphill battle and split.

If you’re dealt two 8s you need to remember what the table rules are and pay attention to the dealer’s up card. That’s not a complicated decision but in the heat of the moment some people split 8s on a dealer ace where she hits on soft 17.

That’s not the end of the world. You might come out ahead anyway but the odds of that happening are not as good as when the dealer stands on soft 17.

6 – When Not to Split: High Card vs Low Pairs

Regardless of when the dealer stands or hits on soft 17, you should never split when:

• The dealer’s up card is 8 or higher
• You’re holding a pair of 7s or lower

In other words, it’s easy to see splitting is a bad choice if the dealer’s card is high and your pair cards are low.

If thinking in negatives is hard for you then always hit according to the above rules.

7 – When to Split: Low Card vs High Pairs

If the dealer’s card is less than 7 and your pair cards are at least 7s, you should always split.

Just as there are other times to hit when you’ve got low pair cards against a high dealer card, there are times to split when you have a low pair against a low dealer card.

If you think of strategies falling into four quadrant then the dealer’s up card puts you into 2 of those quadrants and your points or pairs put you into 1 of those 2 quadrants.

Each quadrant has a few exceptions except when your hand totals 18 points or higher.

Conclusion

Reading the dealer’s up card helps you decide what kind of strategy you need. If you’re lucky your decision is quick and simple.

Some players struggle to master strategy because they’re thinking that every situation is unique. In reality many different situations have the same resolution.

How To Read Cards Blackjack

Differences in table rules confuse some people and it’s a good idea to practice playing multiple real money blackjack games so you become comfortable switching between the different rule variations. Just as you should teach yourself to look at your own cards first you should look at the table rules before you start playing.

How To Read Cards In Blackjack

Never ignore the table rules even if their variations are subtle because they are what the house leverages against you. Most of the time when players think the dealer has made a mistake it’s really the players who assumed they were playing by a different set of rules.