Card Counting in blackjack is one of the most effective tools which can give the house advantage a range of 0.5 – 1.5 percent depending on the system, rules and ability of the player. Although casinos have methods of identifying skilled players, card counting can be successful to those players who count cards and play disciplinary. We will discuss the five popular systems. There are pros and cons to each system and being aware of these approaches can assist you in playing blackjack with more strategy and confidence.
5 Best Blackjack Card Counting
The selection of the appropriate card-counting system is determined by such factors as difficulty, betting correlation, and learning curve. When you are a novice in counting cards in blackjack, learn how to count cards using a beginner guide that will get you familiar with how to count cards before making a comparison.
Hi-Lo System
The most popular card counting system is the Hi-Lo system, which is considered to have a good balance between simple and effective. In Hi-Lo, each card would be given a value: +1- 2-6, 0- 7-9 and -1- 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. Keep a running count as the cards are dealt, adding or subtracting the values.
The Hi-Lo system is a balanced system. The total value of all cards in a complete deck equals zero. This enables the players to obtain the running count to a true count by dividing the running count by the number of decks left, which is necessary in making the correct betting and playing decisions.
Assign Values
2-6 = +1
7-9 = 0
10, J, Q, K, A = -1
Running Count: Add or subtract values as cards appear.
Estimate Decks Remaining: Approximately count the remaining decks
True Count: Divide the Running Count to Decks Remaining
KO System
The KO card counting system lacks true count conversion which makes it simple. In KO, the cards 2-7 are plus one, the cards 8-9 are zero and the cards 10-Ace are minus one. In contrast to Hi-Lo, KO is an imbalanced system and the total value of all the cards in a deck is not zero.
This is what removes the requirement to compensate on the number of decks left and makes KO simpler to play in a high-paced game or by beginners. Nevertheless, the absence of count conversion can decrease the accuracy of betting slightly than balanced systems.
Assign Values
- 2-7 = +1
- 8-9 = 0
- 10, J, Q, K, A = -1
Running Count: Running Count: Add or subtract values as cards appear.
No True Counts: Total do not go back to zero thus you do not divide by the remaining decks.
Ace/Five Count
The Ace/Five card counting is the simplest card-counting system and it is good to use by casual players or those who are new to card counting. Tracked the Aces and Fives, +1 for every Five and -1 for Ace. It’s best in single deck games because of its simplicity.
Although the Ace/Five count does not give one as high of an edge as more advanced systems, it does properly present an introduction to card counting and learning the basics of advantage play.
Assign Values
- Five = +1
- Ace = -1
- All other cards = 0
Running Count
- Add +1 each time a Five appears.
- Take away -1 every time an Ace appears
Note: When the running count is a positive increase bets. Players keep run-down bets at the minimum in case the running count is negative.
Hi-Opt I
The Hi-Opt I is a developed, balanced, card counting system and is more efficient than Hi-Lo. In Hi-Opt I, 3-6 is plus one, 2, 7, 8, 9, and Ace is zero, and 10, Jack, Queen, and King is minus 1. It is important to note that Aces are not included and thus the players have to maintain a separate side count of Aces in which they are allowed to bet as much as possible in order to maximize the betting correlation. Hi-Opt I should be used when dealing with seasoned counters who are prepared to take the time to learn its quirks and its side-counting restrictions.
Assign Values
- 3-6 = +1
- 2, 7, 8, 9, Ace = 0
- 10, J, Q, K = -1
Running Count
- Add +1 for low cards (3-6).
- Subtract -1 for high cards (10-K).
- Disregard 2, 7, 8, 9 and Aces in the main count.
Side Count of Aces
- Track the Ace independently they are not a part of the major count
- Use Ace for optimize betting and playing choices particularly in blackjacks
True Count Conversion
Divide the Running Count to Decks Remaining
If there’s adjacent, do the side count aces.
Also Read: Card Counting in Poker: Strategies & Tips
Omega II
Omega II is a multi-level, multi-phase, balanced card counting system with fast precision and high betting correlation which is preferred by professional card counters. Similar to Hi-Opt I, Omega II also has an advantage of a side count of Aces to enhance the accuracy of betting. Omega II is also not suitable to every player and only highly experienced and committed players require this game due to its complexity and strict precision of execution.
Assign Values
- 2, 3, 7 = +1
- 4, 5, 6 = +2
- 8, Ace = 0
- 9 = -1
- 10, J, Q, K = -2
Running Count
- Add or subtract values as cards appear.
- High positive counts can be signify, that the deck is more loaded with 10 value cards.
Side Count of Aces
- Track Aces for more accuracy.
- This enhances the correlation with the payouts in blackjack.
True Count Conversion
- Divide the Running Count to Decks Remaining.
- To Maximize precision do the side count aces.