I have encountered many people (experienced casino players even!) who frankly speak of their ignorance of high/low count method, even though the same is being accepted across the globe as most user-friendly and uncomplicated. Well, you do not have put your faith in me, a minimal research will let you know that hi-lo blackjack card counting system happens to be the most popular of all counting systems at the moment all over the world. perhaps there is the need of more explanations. Remember if you would prefer to win more while playing the game of blackjack, you have got to become skilled at this unproblematic method of counting cards.
What ought to be the task then? There are, in point of fact, two areas that you’ll have to give attention to while learning the hi-lo card counting system. To begin with, the card values that are assigned to a range of cards and secondly how to gauge a true count anchored in the left over cards in the deck or in the shoe. the first step while learning the high/low system is to commit to memory some imperative values. these include cards 2,3,4,5 or 6 value get a positive count. {+1}; cards 7, 8, 9 obtain no value and are remembered in the form of a 0 {Zero}; cards 10,J, Q K, a take delivery of a negative count. {-1}.
Is the entire process advantageous? Lots of experts have stated their confidence on the same and have already stared to brush aside all other sorts of counting systems. as indicated by a considerable section of experts, the concerned player will have an explicit benefit over the dealer when on earth the positive count remains high. All these indicate that majority of the low value cards have been dealt in advance and there is a sizeable amount of 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces.
However, these area a few facts to let you know of the reality and it’s the time to decide. Which way should you go?
Top Casino Poker Reviews » Blog Archive » Make use of Hi-Lo counting system

Casino comps are a great, but are they really free? Chances are you’re losing a lot of money at the tables in exchange for those so-called “free” comps. Unless you’re card counting, and you’re effective at it, the casinos know you’re going to lose more and more money over time. you may get lucky in the short run, but in the long run they know they have you. Let’s take a look at what’s really going on in the casino comp system and how you might be able to take advantage of it.
When it comes to giving out player comps, casinos usually value your worth using a pre-set formula. Every casino company is a little different, but the parameters generally go something like this…
(hands per hour) X (house edge) X (average bet size) X (number of hours)
= Theoretical Player Loss
Casinos assume you will not be playing optimal basic strategy when gambling. therefore they expect your loss-rate to be somewhere between 1% and 2%. for most blackjack players this assumption holds true.
Let’s explore this calculation further by plugging in some numbers. Let’s say you’re playing around $100 per hand over a 4 hour stretch one evening. Let’s also assume this particular casino uses a 1% theoretical edge and 75 hands per hour to calculate player ratings. Here’s how you’re looking in the eyes of the casino’s comp system…
Hands per Hour X House Edge X Avg Bet X Hours Played = (75) X (.01) X (100) X (4) = $300
The casino values your 4 hours of play at $300. for comp purposes they’re willing to kick back a certain percentage of that amount (usually 25%-30%) in free rooms, food, chips, entertainment or cash. That’s about $75-$90 worth of comps for your 4 hours of action.
Make no mistake about it, the casinos are not your friends. Your value to them is strictly a dollar sign. The longer you play and the higher your average bet, the more they will cater to you. Understanding how the comp system works is the first step in taking advantage of the system. Now you can begin to capitalize on this knowledge and get far more than your fair share of casino comps.
Here are some great tips (for non-card counters) that you can use to exploit the comp system by appearing to be worth more to the house than you actually are…
Tip #1 – Play games with good oddsThe house edge can be very different depending on where you’re playing. for example, the 6-deck games (S17, DAS, RSA, LS) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas have a house edge of only a quarter of a percent while the single deck games (H17, DAS, 6:5 on blackjacks) have nearly a 1.5% house edge. That means the house edge is 6 times as bad for you on the single deck game as on the 6-deck game!
Hint: for the very best odds, find a table where the dealer Stands on Soft 17 (S17), you can double after splitting (DAS), re-split Aces (RSA) and surrender (LS). most importantly, avoid any game where the blackjack payout is 6:5 rather than 3:2.
Tip #2 – Play correct basic strategyPlaying optimal basic strategy will put your losing rate much lower than what the house will assume for comp purposes. you might get comped as if you’re losing at a rate of 1% (.01) when in reality you’re playing basic strategy on a good game where the house edge is only around .2% (.002). Games like the Mirage double deck in Las Vegas have this small of a house edge if correct basic strategy is being played.
Tip #3 – Play at a crowded tablePlaying at a crowded table will really slow the game down. This means that you will be playing far less than the 75 hands per hour that the casino is banking on. maybe you’re only playing 50 hands per hour because of how slow the game is moving, but you’ll be earning comps at the 75 hands per hour level!
Tip #4 – take frequent breaksMaybe you want to take a break for 15 minutes or so. well don’t pick up your chips and get clocked out of the game, leave your chips at the table. This tactic keeps you clocked in as if you’re still playing. They’ll be comping you for time spent having a drink at the bar!
Tip #5 – Adjust your bet size at the right timeYou may have noticed that the Pit Boss will come by from time to time and write down what he perceives to be your average bet size. That’s a perfect time to throw a little extra out there. Of course you only want to bet within what you can afford and you don’t want to get carried away with this strategy, but adding a second chip to your bet won’t cost you much. An appearance of having twice your real bet size will get you twice the comp value. As soon as the Pit Boss notes your bet size and walks away, drop your bet right back down.
Tip #6 – Exaggerate your lossesWhen you leave a table you may want to pocket some chips and appear you lost more than you really did. This won’t change the formula they use to evaluate your comp level, but it could certainly sway a decision on whether or not you’re getting your room covered for the weekend.
There are many strategies to increasing your comp value while risking less and these 6 tips should get you off to a great start. The overall concept is very simple. look let you’re betting more, losing more and playing longer than you actually are. use these tips and you can actually earn more in comps than the casino will ever get back from you at the tables.
So what is the downfall in card counting in blackjack? I mean it is like really really really easy to learn from what i seen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HHVob7FiSc (that's how i learned) and it's legal? I mean if it is that easy then i would think everyone would do it but they don't! But i know there is a reason for it. so why don't everyone does this counting cards. I would think that if they just perform this simple little technique then everyone would know what left and win really big! So what really is the catch to it? Mathematical it make sense. Because based off the number system used when counting cards it will the higher or lower the number is it will give you a pretty good ratio on what's in the deck and what the next possible out come would be but still. I'm not trying to sound trite but what's major downfall in card counting?
First of all it is not that easy to do and it takes a lot of practice to get good at it. Technically it is not legal in the sense that a Casino will throw you out and ban you from the casino if you are a good/profitable counter. The Casino has every right to do so. you won't go to jail or anything so I guess it is technically legal – just frowned upon. The biggest misunderstanding is that people think it is a get rich quick scheme. The reality of it is that it only gives you a small edge over the house. Even the best card counters are going to have losing days. Not only do you need to be a good card counter you also need to be disciplined and have a plan and manage your funds properly. to be successful you need to be ble to count without the casino knowing you are doing so. and once you start winning they will watch you like a hawk. honestly, it is just not worth it for the average person to start counting. I just play for entertainment and use a basic strategy to "reduce" the houses edge. Here is the strategy I use for a multiple deck game:
http://www.layitdownandwin.com/blackjack…
Casinos are very good at spotting card counters, and will politely ask you to leave. Even though it's legal, the casino is private property and they have the right to exclude you from their property.
Not anymore. Casinos now replace the deck well before it's depleted so counting doesn't give you an advantage anymore. All the advantages with card counting comes towards the end of the deck.
It's true, card counting is easy to pick up and learn as long as you dedicate enough time to it but it really isn't worth it as they rarely offer a game that will give you enough of an edge to profit from. On the legal side, card counting is completely legal but the casino doesn't like you doing it so if they suspect you of counting they won't make your life easy. The one major downfall of card counting is the tiny percentage you will get over house and waiting to get the positive count, which could take a while. also, card counting is very boring. If you think that it is something you want to do though, I would suggest getting your hands on the Casino Verite software as it will help you train and I would also recommend using a simple count like Hi/Lo with the Illustrious 18 indices as there isn't a lot of maths involved so there is less chance of a mistake.
First of all I should emphasize that I am not interested in counting cards, at least not yet.
I am looking for a program that will run millions of hands and I can develop my own basic strategy based off of these results. I have some questions as to the accuracy of some of the basic strategy charts. I am aware of websites where I can imput rules and they will produce a basic strategy chart. This is NOT what I am after.
Secondly I would like to enter a betting strategy. not based on the count of the cards, but if I win or lose a hand I would like to adjust my betting.
Thank you for your help.
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?
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