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Card counting has accumulated a reputation as a difficult task requiring near genius levels of intellect to perform. In reality, it is a simple mathematical formula players use to judge the relative strength or weakness of the deck of cards that is being dealt to them. Decks with a greater proportion of high cards are considered more advantageous to players than one with many low cards in it. A deck with many high cards in it is thought to be better to bet large amounts into.

For the most part, card counters do not keep track of specific cards. Instead, they assign positive and negative values to the various cards and then tally them up as they are being dealt. In the simplest system, all face cards (10, J, Q, K, A) will bring the total value of the deck down by 1 and when low cards are dealt (cards from 2 to 6) the decks value will go up by 1. Middle cards (7,8,9) do not change the value of the hand in either direction. Remember- be sure to start over when a new deck is used or your calculations will be off.

If an accurate count is kept, a player should always have a good idea on the odds of any given hand. Card Counting in no way guarantees players will win every hand, however. The main advantage of card counting is knowing when to bet big and when to bet small. It can also help players to know their odds of drawing a high card when it comes to decide if they should hit or stay.

Other systems exist as well, providing different numbering systems. Some weight aces more or less, while other systems consider middle cards to be the most dangerous cards for players as they are likely to make a player pass 21 when drawing. We have presented the most basic system to help you get moving on your journey towards blackjack supremacy. If you’re still interested, there are many in-depth books and guides to take you into the mathematical minutiae of card counting.

For a newbie card counter, it is likely a good idea to go somewhere safe to practice. Online casinos such as Bodogs or Golden Palace can provide a safe, comfortable environment to try out new methods and tactics.