How to win by counting cards in blackjack?

Question

I have practiced the hi/lo method of counting cards for blackjack and can now get through a deck of 52 cards in 29 seconds. Excellent right? Well it would be I'm sure if I knew what to do with it now. I decided to test it out by playing with some of my buddies. I was going based off of odds. Example: Ok the count is +6 and I have 19. I should probably stand here because there is a great chance of the dealer busting. WRONG. Almost every time I was in that situation the dealer ended up with 19,20, or 21. I have been practicing this for a long time. I even went and watched that new movie "21" that just came out. It is a true story and as long as they knew the count, they didn't lose.

So basically I guess I'm asking, once you know the count is in your favor, now what? Really appreciate any help that can be given. Will be sure to 5 star the best answer.

Anyone with experience WINNING while counting cards please HELP ME OUT! Would really appreciate it.

Answer 1

I once taught a 7-year old girl to count hi/lo. She could count a 6D shoe, trouble was she was a bit slow. Now to you:

(1) You must forget all of YOUR previously conceived ideas and opinions about what is good play or bad play or what might happen. You don't really know what you are talking about. And for God's sake, forget movies!

(2) Because you have learnt the 'running count' you are now ready to convert it into a 'true count.' You must learn to do that and understand why, otherwise you will not win, believe me you wont! The true count is the important one.

(3) You must get the hi/lo strategy charts and learn everyone of the plays, and how to change those plays when the true count indicates a change.

(4) You will need to learn to bet correctly otherwise you can go broke. Don't think counting alone will stop you from going broke, it wont! You need to get things just right, your counting, your betting, your play. Get those right and you can win.

(5) You must believe in the method. It's like the Bible. Believe it or don't believe it. If you believe in hi/lo you will play it religiously and never, ever deviate and then you can win.

Answer 2

DO NOT THINK YOU CAN BEAT CASINOS KNOWING HOW TO ADD +1/-1

I dont want to burst your bubble but learning to asign point values to cards is only about 5% of winning money from casinos, There are NUMEROUS other factors that determin how much you will win, the likelyhood of you winning, and wheather or not you can win at all,  Not every blackjack table is readily beatable.

I could not sum up everything you need to know to be successful at winning money from casinos here, but i will say it is possible to do so, and list the areas you need to understand to be successful.

-The difference between a running count and a true count based on the number of decks remaining

-The effect of the true count on the exhisting house advantage

-The effect of rules on the house advantage

-The effect of cut card placement and the frequence of hands played at an advantage

-The effect fo bet spread in compensating for the rarity of hands played at an advantage

-Basic playing strategy

-Deviations from basic strategy based on the True count (TC)

-When to take insurance

-***Having enough money to be able to play***

-and much more but many other things will only improve your game.

Basic strategy is a big first step and can be learned and practiced at hitorstand.net.

I recommend a good book or maybe blackjackinfo.com where links to plenty of articles are available.  And i help with other mebers to answer questions like this.

Also id like to point out that its not easy winning money, the best card counters in the world will lose about 40% of the time, and will only show profits after tens of thousands of hands, i myself only average 40$ per hour in winnings.

Dont hit the casinos just yet, being successful takes serious dedication.

Answer 3

Keep practicing and come to Missouri, as the casino's are forbidden to harass card counters and will be penalized by gaming commission

Answer 4

what it does is predict then likelyhood of winning a hand for intnace if the count is very high u want to bet more how much more is up to you keep in mind it gives u a small edge so unless you have a large bankroll and alot of time its gard to win. Its also a good predictor for insurance always take on a high count. Also when the count is very low thats a dood time to use the bathroom or teak a break or at least bet min. U could also play 2 hands when its high one when its low