Card Counting
Another widely strategy that was highly secretive until recent years is using card counting. Card counting is based off the principle that if a player can track both high and low value cards and determine the optimal time to bet, they can turn the tables in their advantage. This strategy is highly effective when done correctly, however is quite difficult to master and is disliked so much by casinos that if they think you are doing it, they will kick you out. It is however legal as it does not use any electronic device and simply relies on a sharp mind and memory.
How Card Counting Works
As previously mentioned the principle of card counting relates to tracking different cards in a deck and figuring out the optimal time to bet. This is all done through a tracking system that uses the “count” to measure how hot or cold a table is. By assigning values to different cards in the deck, the player is able to keep tabs on the count of the table uses a + - scale. In the basic Hi-Lo card counting system, cards 2 through 6 are assigned a -1 value, cards 10,J,Q,K and Ace are given a +1 value and cards 7,8 and 9 have a neutral value of 0. This system is then used to track the cards as they come out of the shoe to determine when the best time to bet is.
Card counting generally involves anywhere from 2 to 4 people, with spotters and small players who play the table minimum bets while tracking the count. When the count reaches a reasonable level in the players favour (say +10), the small stakes player will signal the bigger player to come over when the so that they may place the big bets and it does not look as suspicious. The reason that two or more players are used is to confuse the casino so that they do not catch on to the strategy. This is the basic principle and strategy of card counting as it is used by players to gain a significant advantage.
In online casinos, card counting is very difficult because most casinos online reshuffle the deck completely after every hand and therefore the process is randomized and tracking cards is near impossible. There is however some great games that increase the player’s odds even without the use of card counting which are mentioned further down.
