How do i learn to count cards?

Question

just seen '21' and been to vegas recently and really want, no need, to learn this art

Answer 1

Been watching rain man have you?...don't bother it's illegal,not only that you'll end up with broken knee caps if you just so happen to go into a casino run by the mafia/triads/cartel..etc...

Answer 2

card counting isnt illegal the casinos just dont like you doing it

Answer 3

It's not illegal, and it won't get your kneecaps broken.

That being said, it won't help you much either.  There are many different pieces you need to make card counting profitable.

For starters, a small shoe (1 or 2 decks,) a thin cut (keeping the deck in play longer,) a decent bankroll to take advantage of profitable counts, and a partner or two to help disguise the betting so you won't get kicked out if it ever works.

Of course, you won't have to worry about getting kicked out, because most casinos are using several decks at a time for blackjack, and they're cutting a full deck of the bottom, or more.  So the chances of you ever getting a quality count are very slim.

Sorry to pee on your parade; it'd be a blast to try anyway, so why not learn just for kicks?

Answer 4

If you want to be successful, you are going to need to buy a book, take my word for it.

There are too many intracacies that you must learn and they are NEVER found listed in one place except in a book.

You will find bits and peices online, but infromation is only acturate for the type of games you are playing and the counting system it is for.  There are dozens of systems with information availabel on the web and often they dont specify.

A GOOD source for information online is, be wearing of other sources.

http://www.qfit.com/blackjack.htm

there is also software, and blackjack related calculators availabe there, it can be very helpful.

As for what you actually need to learn:

-Basic strategy for the game(s) rules/#decks you will be playing against

-Strategy deviation indexes for rules/decks/the system you are using

-The ability to add the point values as the cards are dealt fast enough to keep the count without error.

-A proven betting strategy for the rules/penetration/decks.  Or you can use a computer to simulate your own betting strategy, provides you buy software.

-At least 2000 dollars, but under the most ideal circumstances, you are likely to need much more do to higher table minimums.

Also i would like to say that the mit team used some additional unspoken tactics involving cut cards , you will not gain the edge they had by counting alone.

Answer 5

Sigh...for the 20893489023 th time...you CAN'T do this in a Vegas casino any longer...dude the events that "21" (Bringing Down The House) is based on happened over 20 years ago!

Answer 6

http://beatthegame.blogtoolkit.com/

check it out its very help full

Answer 7

I can only offer you a bit of advice mate. When films like this come out it a god send for the casinos. The MIT crew have no corroborating evidence to back up their claims of mega fortune, but these days they don't need it they have made more of the books produced and now film rights. You could read a book by the man that taught at MIT and produced the first working card counting systems he is Dr Ed Thorp and his ground breaking book was called beat the dealer. If your looking for a more up to date approach to card counting you could try any of the books by Stanford Wong. It can take years of practise to learn how to count cards well. Good luck.

Why does David W think you can't count cards in a Vegas casino? I was there two months ago and they look like every other casino I've worked in, except the skill level of the staff is appalling.

Answer 8

Card counting theory is pretty simple. Basically, big cards (10s, aces, etc.) favour the player, and small cards (2-6) favour the dealer.

All card counting systems basically keep track of the ratio of small cards to big cards remaining in the deck. When the cards remaining favour the player, you bet more money. When they favour the dealer, you bet less.

The simplest count to learn is a one level count, which is also know as the Hi-Lo counting system, where you assign these values to each card:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (small cards) - +1

7, 8, 9 (neutral cards) - 0

10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace (big cards) - -1

To use the Hi-Lo method, you have to add and subtract the counted values for every card that is revealed on the blackjack table. By mentally keeping an updated running count from one hand to the next, you vary your bets according to the positive/negative value of the upcoming hand.