Blackjack is one of the few games in an online casino where the cards dealt after each hand are not returned to the shoe and shuffled. Typically, the dealer deals several times from the shoe or even from a single deck. This gives players an advantage - the ability to count the cards that have been dealt and assess the chances of winning.
Counting Techniques
In blackjack, there are dozens of proprietary card counting systems. However, there are only a few basic principles on which they are based. Let's arrange them from simple to complex.
Ace-Five
Ace-Five, or "Ace-Five," is the easiest card counting technique in blackjack. It only takes into account aces and fives.
The essence of the system:
- The count starts at zero.
- Each five dealt adds +1, each ace -1.
- The higher the number, the higher the chances of winning.
| Map | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5 | 1 |
| T | -1 |
Advantages:
- Does not require changes in gameplay.
- Easy to learn even for beginners.
Disadvantages:
- Does not provide a significant advantage in the game.
There are two modifications of the Ace-Five system. They use the same counting principle but differ in the way the bet size changes:
- It doubles once a certain threshold is reached, for example, +5.
- The sum corresponds to specific count values.
Plus-Minus
Counting using the "Plus-Minus" system is also straightforward. No calculator is required - just attentiveness and quick reaction.
By the way, this technique was used in the movie "Twenty-One," based on real events.
The essence of the system:
- Cards are divided into "small" (from two to six), "neutral" (from seven to nine), and "large" (from ten to ace) and are valued at +1, 0, and -1 respectively.
- The higher the count, the more favorable the situation for the player.
| Map | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 1 |
| 7, 8, 9 | 0 |
| 10, V, D, K, T | -1 |
Advantages:
- Simple.
- Allows for advantageous strategy changes based on the count.
Disadvantages:
- Requires attentiveness and timely and correct strategy changes.
- Inaccurate - card values do not correspond to real mathematical expectations.
For example, the removal of fives from the game is more favorable than twos, but according to the "Plus-Minus" system, they are evaluated equally. Attempts to eliminate this omission were made in enhanced versions with a wider range of values, but such techniques are more difficult to apply.
Hi-Opt
At the time of its creation, Hi-Opt had no analogs among other techniques. The authors used an unusual approach - they considered not only the mathematical expectation but also the cautiousness of the game strategy.
The essence of the system:
- Only threes, fours, fives, sixes (favorable) and tens (unfavorable) are counted.
- Other cards are not taken into account.
The fundamental difference between Hi-Opt and other methods is that aces are ignored. The creators of the technique found that this was correct in terms of changing the course of the game.
| Map | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2 | 0 |
| 3, 4, 5, 6 | 1 |
| 7, 8, 9 | 0 |
| 10 | -1 |
| T | 0 |
Advantages:
- Simple.
- Suitable for cautious players.
Disadvantages:
- Aggressive strategy cannot be used.
Counting aces is theoretically effective, but in practice, it can be disruptive, especially for inexperienced players. Therefore, the Hi-Opt strategy is well suited for beginners.
Halves
"Halves" can be considered an enhanced version of "Plus-Minus." This technique is quite complex and requires good counting skills.
The essence of the system:
- Cards are assigned values proportional to the change in the mathematical expectation of the game after they are dealt.
- The higher the count, the higher the chances of winning.
| Map | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1 |
| 3, 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 2 |
| 7 | 1 |
| 8 | 0 |
| 9 | -1 |
| 10, V, D, K, T | -2 |
Advantages:
- High accuracy.
Disadvantages:
- Complexity.
- Errors in counting nullify effectiveness.
The "Halves" technique was described in 1975 in the book "Professional Blackjack" by American player Stanford Wong. In the original version, the card values are half (from -1 to +1.5).
Thorpe System
The Thorpe System is one of the most complex techniques and is more of theoretical interest.
The essence of the system:
- Card values accurately reflect changes in mathematical expectation.
- Jacks, queens, and kings are not counted.
| Map | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 8 |
| 5 | eleven |
| 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 0 |
| 9 | -3 |
| 10 | -7 |
| T | -9 |
Advantages:
- Precise.
Disadvantages:
- Very difficult to keep track of "mentally."
- Does not account for all cards.
The author of the system - Edward Thorpe - is not only a blackjack player and the author of the bestseller "Beat the Dealer," but also a mathematics professor. Therefore, he likely succeeded in applying his own technique in practice.
A common misconception is that it takes several months to learn card counting.
In reality, simple techniques can be mastered much faster, even without phenomenal memory and mathematical talents. After a few weeks of regular practice, counting will become automatic, requiring only attentiveness from the player.
How casinos combat card counting
Counting increases the chances of winning, so players who count cards are usually barred from the casino. Observers monitor this, but of course, it is impossible to identify everyone. Then, casino owners take measures that reduce the effectiveness of any system:
- Disallow increasing bets.
- Increase the number of decks in the shoe.
- Use shuffle machines.
Can you count cards in an online casino?
In online play, the shoe is refreshed after each hand, so counting is meaningless. Counting is only possible in live casinos, where the dealer is a live person, and the cards are shuffled after several hands.
The ability to increase winning chances by counting cards is one of the reasons for the popularity of blackjack. Even simple techniques that provide slight advantages make the game more interesting and profitable.
