The Most Popular Blackjack Card Counting Systems

Blackjack is one of the most popular real money casino games around the world. The skill-based game gained its popularity back in the ‘60s and has become a casino favourite for many players, especially those looking to make money. Online blackjack is a game of chance that requires lots of discipline, concentration, and skill. Blackjack card counting systems are efficient tools that you can use to boost your game.

Are you a blackjack player? If so, blackjack card counting is a proven way to reduce the house edge, some gamblers are so good at card counting that they make enough money playing blackjack in the long run.

Commonly known as 21, blackjack is a casino game between a dealer and players. This means players don’t play against one another but compete against the live dealer. The main goal is to collect the highest total point than a dealer, but it shouldn’t be more than 21. Nevertheless, when the player collects points that exceed this number, they lose or in other words ‘busted’.

Blackjack games might include several players, each competing against a dealer. Usually, 2 to 8 standard decks, comprising 52 cards. After each player is dealt a 2-card hand, they are faced with the option of getting the ‘hit’ again and might request extra cards. Also, if the hand is equal or below 21, and the dealer losses, the player will win. The cards will be dealt until 17 cards are reached. In case the player and the dealer have the same score, the latter neither wins nor losses.

The best combination comprises an Ace- that can be counted as 1 or 11 and a 10-point card (, , , and ). This is the combination that is usually known as a “natural” or “blackjack” 21 that automatically earns the win for players unless the dealer collects the blackjack. If both player and the dealer have a hand of 21, the player gets their bet back.

This is a game of chance, nevertheless, using the adequate strategy, significantly improves your winning chances against the casino. This is one of the most common blackjack strategies.

Basic Strategy

A basic strategy is ideal for recreational players who enjoy playing blackjack just for fun. Essentially, learning and trying out the best basic strategy is important in blackjack and we strongly recommend that you memorize it. This reduces your loss rates and partially eliminates the house edge.

However, the basic strategy might vary based on the number of decks being used in a game. Its usually calculated based on the cards the player has been dealt and also the card the dealer has shown. On the other hand, the dealer’s upcard might help players decide their next move. For example, if the value of the dealer’s upcard ranges from 2 – 6, the player might hit.

This basic strategy helps a player determine the best way to approach different situations that happens on the table since it’s based on mathematical probabilities.

It’s always important to take note of the fact that the strategy might differ based on the rules of the game that you are playing. For instance, you might not be allowed to split pairs, at what point you should look for another appropriate basic strategy that fully complies with the specifications of the game.

There are many times when the basic strategy is presented as a chart that shows when players ought to split a pair, double, hit, or stand, based on the dealer’s hand, but the best thing you can do is to memorize the scheme because many online casinos do not allow players to use the chart.

Advantage Play

Experienced and skilled online blackjack players do not have to rely on this basic strategy chart. Especially if their main goal doesn’t revolve around playing recreationally or gaining experience, but winning more against the house and ultimately benefit financially from the game.

Experienced players usually employ different techniques that allow them to have an advantage over the casino. In most cases, skilled players rely on their memory, practice, and honest skills. These methods are usually known as an advantage play and are safe and legal as long as the player doesn’t gain a better advantage over the casino. Else, the player might be added to the blacklist and/or complete ban from the casino establishment. However, their gestures and behavior while playing blackjack might show whether the player is using an advanced play strategy.

What is Advantage Play?

Advantage play refers to different practices that can be used by players to boost the mathematical probability of collecting the best hand and ultimately against the casino.

Blackjack card counting is the most common technique that is employed by experienced and skilled players. Keep in mind that card counting requires lots of concentration and time to master.

Blackjack Card Counting Systems

Choosing the right blackjack card counting systems largely depend on some level of experience and skill. There are simpler card counting systems that are perfect for newbies, while others are more complex and can only be employed effectively by expert blackjack players. Following are some of the best blackjack card counting systems out there. Also, it’s important to mention that these are the simplest card counting systems for both newbie and expert blackjack players.

Ace Five Count

The ace five-card system is the simplest blackjack counting system out there. Beginners can also learn how to use this simple card counting system in minutes, and after you have started using this system, you can eventually reduce the house advantage. It’s easy to understand this card counting system instead of using the basic online blackjack strategy.

The good news is that you can use this ace give count in all blackjack games, but there are two things that you must-do if you want to take full advantage of this card counting system. You should memorize the basic strategy or get the blackjack card and start using it.

One of the things you must do is discover blackjack titles with reasonable rules. Some of the rules that you should look out for when looking for the best blackjack games include:

• Can split multiple times
• Double following splitting
• Deal stands on 17 (soft)
• Surrender
• 3:2 blackjack payout

An ace five system works on the basis of the notion that an ace is a highly valuable card for players and the 5 is the worst blackjack card. After a five is taken from the deck, it improves a player’s chances of winning. This will eventually lower the casino edge.

After the ace is picked from cards deck, it harms the chances of a player winning and further raises the casino edge. With this data, you may easily track the fives and aces and use this information to change your bet sizes.

Speed Count

Another amazing card counting system you can rely on, as a blackjack player is speed count. Speed count was created by Scoblete and has been featured in different games. The most basic manner of using speed count is by tracking the low cards and comparing their volume to the hands, which are dealt on every round.

As mentioned earlier, the main reason we have included speed count here is that it’s pretty ease to learn and use. Although it’s not as easy to use Ace Five Count, it’s much easier to learn as opposed to other highly advanced blackjack card counting systems.

With this system, you carefully track all the cards with a value of 2 to 6 that are dealt on each round and deduct the hands that are dealt on that round. You can then use the number to change your total count and change the bet size depending on the current count.

Knock Out or KO

If you know how to utilize speed count and Ace Five systems, then you already know how to use the Knock Out system. This is not a system that you discover on many pages that are designed for novice blackjack players. Also, it’s much harder to learn as compared to the basic strategy. However, experienced and skilled players can easily understand how to utilize this card counting system.

Also, if you check through the Knock Out system, but still don’t want to use it, you can check out Hi-Lo and Red 7 systems. You can rely on any of the 3 systems to make more money while playing blackjack online.

The main difference between the simple card counting systems, such as the two listed here, and more advanced counting systems is the dealt cards you must track. With the ace five methods, you only track 2 cards. When it comes to the speed count, players track five cards. However, in the Knock Out system, you get to track eleven cards.

The good news is after you have learned how to track just a two-card then it becomes easier to track more. Keep in mind you should remember the cards.

Conclusion

You could start with the Ace Fie system immediately. It’s the simplest system out there and you can use it to play the breakeven blackjack games. After you know how to use Ace Five, you can then start to learn using the Knock Out System, it’s the best overall system. If you enjoy playing blackjack online, you check out our recommended online casinos that offer many variants of this game