What's all this talk of card counting in blackjack?

Question

I have tried card counting. Most of the time the true count stays at 0 or a negative. The most I have seen it go it up to a +6 on average, I bet my units and lose. Has anyone been successful at card counting? What has been the highest plus count that you have seen?

Answer 1

Wow, I would love to be playing blackjack with a plus 6 true count!

Yes I have won money at blackjack counting cards, less in the last several years, because of all the rule changes that were implemented to thwart card counting.

Most people who have seen the movie 21 think card counting is just the ability to know when you will hit the winning card, LOL. This is partly true, but there are other advantages to a player who ounts cards at blackjack.

The biggest advantage when you are counting cards at blackjack is the ability to increase your bet under favorable odds conditions. Here is why:

First, there will be more blackjacks, and blackjacks pay the player a premium on his bet, of 3-2.

Second, there will be more succesful double downs by the player, since a basic double usually wants a ten count card.

Third, the player has the option to stay on hands that they may normally bust. Since you know the deck is ten count rich, you may wish to take your chances with a 12 or 13 and go against basic strategy by not hitting it.

Fourth, when the dealer shows a 2-6 upcard, you can make your playing decision based on the fact that they are more likley to bust on a hit, since the deck is rich in tens.

FIfth, you may again go against basic strategy in splits, depending on the pair you get, because again the deck is rich in tens and aces. For example, some systems will have you split 9's or even tens (this is usually a card counting giveaway when the deck is rich, and usually very bad strategy) when the deck is very rich in ten count cards and aces.

It is not just the likelihood of a winning hand but also the betting strategy that provides for successful ard counting.

Here is a link to some more information:

http://www.thedoverpro.com/blackjack/bla...

The highest count I have run into over the last few years is a plus 4 game with deep penetration last May at Harrahs on the Vegas strip. I did well there, lol.

Good luck and have fun at the tables

Answer 2

Check out the show about the  MIT blackjack team..

   Just because the count is in the plus..  15 to 20 points.  Does not mean you are going to win. It takes the house advantage away and can put the advantage in the players arena.. This still does not mean you are going to win.

   Take 50 or so players that only bet when the count is 15 plus. The team will win.. BUT.. not every player will win.

   I have played a 6 deck shoe that was 18 to the plus..

                             AND  LOST BIG!!!

                                                                 GL