Counting Cards
DECEPTIONPosted by Daniel Madison 11 Dec, 2009 12:47AM
Described as a strategy used to determine when a player has a probability advantage, Card Counting is the tracking of the ratio of high to low cards in the game of Black Jack.
In Black Jack, high cards - Aces, Faces and 10s - are better for the player and low cards - especially 4s, 5s and 6s - are good for the dealer as they must hit stiff hands (12 to 16) unlike the player who can hit or stand according to strategy.
Most assume that card counters host incredible mental abilities, but card counting does not require memorizing specific cards, but a single running-score based on a plus/minus system. I only wish that I had known of this system in my day, as I had spent over two years exercising numerous memory techniques specifically for the intention to clock each card dealt from a 4-deck dealing shoe so that I would know the final 20 cards... this offered no answer to the order of the cards but did offer a serious edge on the house.
Based on play with a single deck, at the start of a new deck/game, you will no longer see cards as cards, you will see them as one of three values...
Aces, faces and 10s are -1. 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s are +1. 7s, 8s and 9s are 0.
As the cards are dealt, you will only bet when your count is +2 or above. If you are counting in a game that shoe's more than one deck, the count is divided by the number of decks in play. you may not win every hand, but this strategy is designed to offer you the better odds when playing a concession of games at the same table, with the same cards.
Sounds easy, and although Card Counting is not illegal your calculations can take easy distraction, from interaction with other players or staff, and as Casinos are classed as 'Private Property' the manager has the authority to ban you for any reason he chooses, and once they know your face, you may never play in a casino again.
I'll be writing a post in the near future to offer more detail on my memory practices and other more devious experiences I've had with cheating at Black Jack.
D
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