Despite its portrayal as an underhanded tactic, card counting is actuallycompletely legaland doesnt even break casino rules.
Its a legitimate strategy used by gamblers worldwide, relying more on focus and calculation than memory tricks.
What is Card Counting and How Does it Work?
This allows you to adjust your bets and decisions based on the likelihood of favorable cards being dealt.
Once youve memorized the card values, start keeping arunning count.
Each time a card is dealt, you revamp your count based on the card’s value.
Conversely, a negative count means more low-value cards remain, which favors the casino.
Conversely, a declining count means the odds are shifting in favor of the house.
In modern blackjack, most casinos use multiple decks to counteract card counting.
This makes theTrue Count(or the count per deck) a crucial component.
To calculate it, simply divide your running count by the number of remaining decks.
For example:
The True Count gives you a more accurate idea of how favorable the remaining cards are.
The final step is using the True Count to adjust your betting strategy.
When the count is high, the odds are in your favor, so you should bet more aggressively.
Conversely, if the count is neutral or negative, reduce your bets to minimize risk.
This method helps you capitalize on favorable conditions while minimizing losses during unfavorable ones.
This makes the process far more manageable, even for beginners.
Many professionals have spent years perfecting this craft, and some have reported winning significant sums using this method.
However, its important to manage your bankroll wisely and avoid betting recklessly based on the count.
Can You Play Free Blackjack?
Yes, all of the casinos that we recommend offer the option to play blackjack for free.
you’re able to then practice playing until you are ready to play for real money.
What Are These Blackjack Terms: Hit, Stand, Split, Double?
The dealer must keep playing until they either beat the player or go bust (going over 21).
The player must then continue to play both hands with regular blackjack rules.
To learn when to double read our guide onWhen to Double Down in Blackjack.
What Are the Best Starting Hands?
This is an automatic win for the player.
Hard 20- This is any two 10 value cards (10, jack, queen, or king).
It is unlikely that the player will receive an ace next, and the player should always stand.
Splitting is also not recommended.
Soft 18- This is a combination of an ace and a 7 card.
This combination of cards offers the player different strategy options depending on what cards the dealer is dealt.
What Is Single-Deck Blackjack?
As the name implies this is blackjack that is played with only one deck of 52 cards.
What Is Multi-Hand Blackjack?
What Are the Differences Between American Blackjack & European Blackjack?
The key difference between American and European blackjack is the hole card.
In other words, European blackjack has no hole card.
What Is Atlantic City Blackjack?
The game is always played with 8 regular decks, this means anticipating the next card is more difficult.
The other major difference is players have the option to play a “late surrender”.
With a surrender the player loses half their bet.
In Atlantic City blackjack players can split twice, up to three hands.
Aces however, can only be split once.
The dealer must stand on all 17 hands, including soft 17.
Blackjack pays 3 to 2, and and insurance pays 2 to 1.
What Is Vegas Strip Blackjack?
As the name implies this is the most popular version of blackjack in Las Vegas.
4 to 8 standard decks of cards are used, and the dealer must stand on soft 17.
Similar to other types of American blackjack, the dealer receives two cards, one face-up.
Players have the option to play a “late surrender”.
What Is Double Exposure Blackjack?
In other words there is no hole card.
Another key difference is that the dealer has the option to hit or stand on soft 17.
House Edge:
0.67%
What Is Spanish 21?
This is a version of blackjack that is played with 6 to 8 Spanish decks.
The Spanish deck of cards has four suits and contains 40 or 48 cards, depending on the game.
The cards are numbered from 1 to 9.
Due to the lack of 10 card it is more difficult for a player to hit blackjack.
0.4%
What Is an Insurance Bet?
This is an optional side bet that is offered to a player if the dealers up-card is an ace.
If the dealer has a blackjack then the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet.
If both the player and the dealer hit blackjack, then the payout is 3 to 2.
An insurance bet is often called a “suckers bet” as the odds are in the houses favor.
5.8% to 7.5% - The house edge varies based on the previous card history.
What Is Blackjack Surrender?
In American blackjack players are given the option to surrender at any time.
This should only be done if the player believes they have an extremely bad hand.
If the player chooses this than the bank return half of the initial bet.
(For example, a $10 bet has $5 returned).
In some version of blackjack such as Atlantic City blackjack only a late surrender is enabled.
In this case, a player can only surrender after the dealer has checked his hand for blackjack.
To learn more visit our in-depth guide onWhen to Surrender in Blackjack.
Everything you gotta Know
Blackjack vs Spanish 21: Whats the Difference?
