Blackjack – Count Cards – Learn How to Win at Blackjack
Blackjack is unique among casino games. Blackjack is commonly played with an eight deck shoe. as play continues, cards are removed from the shoe and placed in a discard pile. this creates a game history. Other casino games are random chance, such as roulette or craps, where each spin or roll is independent of the last play. but in blackjack a discarded card is removed from play and will not be seen again until the shoe is shuffled.
A blackjack player who knows how to count cards can take advantage of this game history. Within an eight deck shoe you know there are 32 aces. if 30 of them have been played and discarded, only 2 remain in the shoe. you can then adjust your play based on the remaining cards in the shoe. that is heart of every card counting system, knowing what cards remain in the shoe.
A casino dealer must hit at seventeen or below. Cards with a value of ten are detrimental to the dealer because he will like bust if he draws one. So the blackjack odds that normally favor house shift to favor the player when there are more ten value cards in the shoe. using simple card counting techniques, you can learn how to track the number of ten value cards remaining in the shoe. when you realize the odds have changed to your favor, you increase your bet to take advantage of the favorable conditions.
One easy method of card counting is the Red seven method. the Red seven count is an unbalanced count, meaning you only need to keep a running count. you don’t need to divide the running count by the number of decks remaining in the shoe to get a true count. Keeping the running count is all that is required. this makes the Red seven an easy method of card counting.
When a black game is started or the decks are shuffled, you must reset your running count. the running is beginning value is -2 multiplied by the decks in the shoe. So, an eight deck shoe has an initial running count of -16. a six deck shoe is -12.
When each blackjack hand is played, the cards are examined and points are added to the running count. Cards with values between two and six count as +1 point. Cards with values of ten or aces count as -1. Black seven cards (clubs and spades) count as +1 point, while red seven cards, eight cards and nine cards have no value. it is this division among the seven cards that gives the name Red seven to the system.
The card counting method requires you to use two bets. the low bet is the table minimum. you bet the minimum when the count is not in your favor. the high bet is 10 times the low bet. if your low bet is $10, the high bet is $100.
Whenever the running count becomes greater than zero, you bet the high bet. when the count is zero or below you wager the minimum.
Is basic strategy in blackjack BS or is it me?
Assuming most people don't count cards at table
Everyone seems to believe in the basic strategy method to play blackjack but if you study the math behind it – Isn't the player favored to lose?
in all hands totaling 9-16 on the chart not counting soft hands or pairs
there is 80 hands , 44 of the 80 hands seem to give bad advice does that mean the house has a 10% theoretical edge if you follow it?
Futher examples – all 9, 10, 11 doubles you have 38-46% chance of getting good card so hence isnt doubling a bad bet?
Assuming dealer has a 10 in the hole is only a 31% chance
all hands they say to hit on 15/16 odds are against you?
all hands they say to stand on 12 through 14 the odds are against you?
Someone explain is Basic Strategy all Crap or am i missing something?
You seem to have a very good grasp on the mechanics of the game. Most stratagies will work for some but not all. in my experience I hit on low 12-15 and hold on 16+ and that has generally faired about 50-55% in my favor. not real good winning percentage but it is fun to play. I have found great success when friends play at the same table who play the same system, you can see the others cards and know what they will do getting you better odds at beating the dealer or not losing more $.
Does anyone have any tips on how to count cards, or know any good websites with good tips?
Seeing as it's a great technique, is skillful, and a great way to improve your memory, I was just wondering if anyone could help me out?
yeah, here's the technique that I use…
start with one deck of cards. Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10's, and 9's get a point value of -1. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 get a point value of +1. 7 and 8 are nothing. start flipping out cards, each time one comes up say the count. Obviously you will end up at zero. then do 2 decks, and so on. do this all the time, and you will begin to count cards like a pro.
I doubt that counting cards will improve your memory and I also doubt that it will make you a better blackjack player. first off, unless the game has only a single deck (most now have 5-6 deck shoes), counting the cards will not help you.
The whole basis of the strategy is betting more money when the deck is 'good' (more high cards). however, when your chances of getting a blackjack go up – so do the dealers.
If you continue to play blackjack, you will lose money (along with any of the other pit games).
Does anyone have any tips on how to count cards, or know any good websites with good tips?
How do I manage my blackjack bet?
I play with a system that I leaned a couple months ago. Basically I wait until I have won 2 hands in a row, then I press my bet. I was told to bet 5 times my original bet on the third hand, but I usually go about 3 or 4 times depending on my initial bet, where my bankroll is sitting etc. however, I usually pull back the 4th hand…..regardless of the outcome on the 3rd hand. if I win, I usually double my original bet for the fourth hand, but if I lose, I pull back to my original bet or even table minimum. I've heard this "raise after 2 winning hands" is a popular strategy, but what's the rule / best options for the 4th hand, 5th hand, 6th hand etc.?
There really is no literature out there supporting your assumption that winning 2 hands in a row gives you a better chance of winning the next hand. It's really just taking a blind chance. There is no betting "system" that works with blackjack. The only time you should ever increase your bet is when the deck is extremely stacked in your favor, and the only way you would know that is to count cards. if you can't do that, then you should stop thinking that you can consistently win money playing BlackJack
I don't have the math to do a full analysis, but gambling is supposed to be fun. do what's fun.
Those that are basically saying "it doesn't matter" are correct. There is NO WAY to beat blackjack with mere betting systems. The only time you should raise you bet is if you thought there was some reason that you WOULD have better odds the next hand. The fact that you won the past 2 hands in a row has NOTHING to do with that.
Card counting with a disciplined bankroll management is the only way to gain any sort of advantage.
Review of “21″ (2008) PG-13 123min
The plot: (from IMDb) Inspired by the true story (based on “Bringing down The House” book by Ben Mezrich) of how some of the very brightest young minds in the country took Vegas for millions, 21 stars Jim Sturgess as Ben Campbell, a brilliant M.I.T. student who desperately needs to pay his school tuition. Thanks to unorthodox math professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey) and seductive fellow student Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth), Ben is recruited to join a group of the school’s most gifted students, ones who travel to Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities, the ability to count cards, and an intricate system of signals. But as they push the limits to beat the casinos, the challenge also entails staying ahead of the casinos’ menacing enforcer (Laurence Fishburne).
The good: this movie is based on true story – that’s always a plus for me. It’s got a very likable young crew. Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne have heavy presence in the movie. Nice stylish music to set the mood. cool twist in the end. The thrill, of course, in movies like this is about waiting whether they will get caught and how long and how many times can they get away with it. Jim Sturgess gave great performance – he was also great in The other Boleyn Girl and that last year’s musical based on Beatles’ songs, Across The Universe. Nice visuals and cinematography. The audience in the theater was clearly satisfied, people were leaving with the smile on their faces and talking about the movie with excitement.
The bad: some holes in the plot. Human relationships were oversimplified and perhaps even dumbed down to target this movie to 13-22 age category, with some scenes designed to extract laughter and woos. Too much time spent explaining how their signal and card counting scheme worked.
Similar movies: Ocean’s 11 (the comparison is not exactly fare – one was a heist movie with comedy involving professionals, but this movie is about kids – different style), Confidence.
The summary: very likable movie based on real events with plenty of suspense and thrill. It will probably spur new interest in books describing card counting techniques.
The credits: Director – Robert Luketic (Monster In Law, Legally Blonde), Writer – Peter Steinfeld (Analyze That) & Allan Loeb (Things we Lost In The Fire) | Ben Campbell – Jim Sturgess, Mickey Rosa – Kevin Spacey, Jill Taylor – Kate Bosworth, Choi – Aaron Yoo, Kianna – Liza Lapira, Fisher – Jacob Pitts, Cole Williams – Laurence Fishburne, Terry – Jeff McGee, Cam – Sam Golzari | Producers: William S. Beasley, Dana Brunetti, Michael de Luca, Ryan Kavanaugh, Brett Ratner, Kevin Spacey | Musical Score – David Sardy | Cinematography – Russell Carpenter | Columbia Pictures
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