Continued... Blackjack Card Counting

As you can see, the cards with values of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are assigned a +1 count. The cards with a value of 10, as well as an Ace, are assigned a – 1 count. The cards with a value of 7, 8, and 9 are considered neutral cards, and are assigned the value of 0.

How does the Hi-Lo method work?

You have to watch the cards being played.

For every card that is revealed, start your count.

For example, a Jack appears on the table. Your count would receive a -1. If a 2 card appears next, your count should receive a +1, and would reset your current count to 0. If three successive face cards appear, like a Jack, a Queen, and a King, you’d receive a -3, and your current count would be -3. If a 4 card appears next, your current count would receive a +1, and this would make your total count a -2.

Easy, right?

Now, how are you supposed to use the Hi-Lo method to your advantage?

Well, the Hi-Lo method functions on the following principles:

The higher the plus (+) count, the higher the chances of drawing a 10point card. This will be very beneficial for you, the player.
If the count is hovering near 0, then the deck is said to be neutral. There is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage to the player and luck plays a crucial factor in determining success.
The higher the minus (-) count, the higher the chances of drawing small value cards. This is very disadvantageous, since the chances of the dealer going over 21 are very slim, because most of the high value cards have already been dealt out.
Why is this information important for you, you might ask?

It’s because the method has an error margin of only 22.06%. For Blackjack, which has always been labeled as a game of chance, such an error margin is indeed very minimal!

You also have to consider that in Blackjack, you are not compelled to place a bet in every game. Basically, you can join any game you want and leave at any time of your choosing. You’re not obliged to stay at the table for a certain number of games.

Hence, you could become a casual observer, tracking the cards as they come, and joining a game when the count is favorable for you.

A lot of Hi-Lo card counters prescribe the following rules:

For a single deck game, bet only when the card count is +2 or above.
For a multiple deck game, bet only when the card count is +6 or
above. This will assure you of the most beneficial card deals possible in Blackjack, which is a great advantage indeed.

Let’s put this theory into practice, shall we? Study the revealed cards below.

blackjack card counting with insurance

Suppose those are the cards that were revealed in a single deck game. Should you join and place a bet on the next game? Let’s try the Hi-Lo card counting method. We can break down the cards

according to their corresponding points in the strategy.

Ace …………………………….-1
Seven ………………………….. 0
Jack…………………………….-1
Two……………………………+1
Ten……………………………..-1
Eight………………………….... 0
Ace……………………………..-1
Four……………………………+1
Queen…………………………..-1
Four……………………………+1
Ten……………………………..-1
Ten……………………………..-1
Ten……………………………..-1
Six……………………………..+1
Total……………………………-4

Since the card count total is a -4, things look bleak for the next game. The chances of being dealt some stiff cards are great, and the chances of the dealer beating you without going over are likewise overwhelming. The Hi-Lo method would dissuade you from placing a bet on such a game.

But suppose, the previous game revealed the following cards…

blackjack card counting high low methods

blackjack card counting high low methods

If we compute the deck using the Hi-Lo method, we will come up with the following:

Two…………………………+1
Four…………………………+1
King………………………….-1
Queen………………………..-1
Ten…………………………..-1
Five………………………….+1
Seven………………………….0
Eight…………………………..0
Nine…………………………...0
Eight…………………………..0
Three…………………………+1
Four………….……………….+1
Five……...……………………+1
Five……...……………………+1
Eight……………………….…..0
Nine……………………….…...0
King……………………………-1
Seven……………………….….0
Total……………………………+3

A +3 card count on a single deck game offers great, great probability of beating the dealer! It means that big value cards are on the way.

To make the most out of the Hi-Lo method, it is a must that you practice it to coincide with the basic strategy. Remember what we said about the basic strategy? Never deviate from its recommendations? Always look at the dealer’s revealed card? Well, the Hi-Lo method is an exception to that rule, and it is also a tactic that eliminates the risky nature of stiff hands (having a combo with the value of 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.)

With the Hi-Lo method, you can HIT even when there is a danger of going over 21 because you’re able to predict the cards that could be drawn with the most certainty possible!

There are other card counting methods, but the Hi-Lo method is the simplest and the most popular.

I highly suggest that you stick with this and leave the more complicated strategies for the veterans in the field. But for the purpose of discussion, we will also tackle the other card counting strategies out there.