Poker Winner Blog

Another technique for reducing the house advantage is card counting, which gives players a chance of beating the casino. The house advantage on blackjack is given as an average (normally 5.6 per cent) because frequent random card shuffling means that the house advantage constantly changes throughout a game.

There are times in a game when the player has an advantage. This arises if more high cards (those with a face value of ten) remain in the shoe than low value cards. When this occurs the dealer is at a disadvantage, due to the rules that determine when he or she must take further cards. Players can stand on any score but the dealer must hit (take another card) on 16 or lower. Therefore the dealer has a much greater chance of busting if there are plenty of tens left in the shoe. Spotting when this happens is the basis for card counting. The player can then make increased bets knowing that the casino has little chance of winning.

Accomplished card counters can have an advantage of between one and 1.5 per cent over the casino if card counting is combined with the basic strategy. Card counting techniques work by assigning a value to each card. As the cards are dealt, players keep a running count and when a certain level is reached, bets are increased. There are numerous methods that can be used but the simplest ones are often the best.

Becoming an accomplished card counter takes a lot of practice and complete concentration. Learning to count several cards or whole hands at once improves the speed. It is best to practise at home until the techniques have been mastered.

In the example of card counting shown below, a running count is kept as the cards are dealt. Aces and cards with a face value of 10 are counted as minus one. Cards with a value of two to six inclusive are counted as plus one. When the count is positive, the player begins to increase his bets.

CARD COUNTING

Using the card counting technique effectively is only half the battle, however. The other challenge is to avoid detection by the casino. Although card counting is not illegal, casinos do everything in their power to deter card counters. Players suspected of card counting are usually asked to leave.

Casinos also try to combat card counters by ‘burning’ cards (dealing a few cards unseen into the discard pile), adding more decks to the shoe, shuffling the cards frequently, and using shuffling machines.

A classic sign of card counting in action is a player making much higher bets in the second half of the shoe. Casino personnel are trained to look out for this and report it to pit bosses. Once spotted, a suspected card counter will be watched, often by the pit boss, but also from the camera room.

If you want to try card counting, the best way to go undetected is to be a small fish in a big pond. If the casino is busy, with lots of high rollers playing, all the attention will be on them and a player betting small stakes may be overlooked. Limiting the length of sessions means a player is less likely to be remembered. Avoid high denomination chips as these will attract attention. Put your winning chips in a bag or pocket, not on the table, and exchange them at the cash point at frequent intervals.

If the pit boss starts watching you, then continue playing normally for low stakes. The pit boss regularly checks each table’s float. If you’ve suddenly won a lot of money, make yourself scarce. The inspector may not notice you winning small amounts, but the pit boss will realize this once the float is counted.

To evade detection, professional card counters work in a team and enter the casino separately. One player starts playing blackjack for low stakes and counts the cards. The other members of the team wait for a signal from that the shoe favours the players and when it is given, the other team members quickly join the game and start playing for high stakes. This technique can only safely be used once in a casino, as the players will be identified and a record kept of their big wins. If the same group returns and wins again, the casino staff may quickly become suspicious.

Game Speak

Anchor box – the player who is dealt cards first is sitting on the anchor box Basic strategy – a playing strategy in blackjack that reduces the house advantage

Blackjack – traditionally a score of 21 made with an ace and the jack of spades or clubs, now more commonly an ace plus any card worth 10

Break – a score over 21

Burnt cards – cards discarded by the dealer without being seen by the players

Bust – to achieve a score over 21 (to go bust) Card counting – an advanced technique for reduc‑

Cut card – a blank card used for cutting the deck, to show when the cards must be re-shuffled Draw – to take another card

First base – the player who is dealt cards first

Hard hand – a score of 12 or more Heads up – playing alone at a table Hit – to take another card

Hole card – the dealer’s face down card

Natural – a hand that scores 21 with the first two cards dealt

Pair – two cards of the same value Pass – to take no further cards Push – a bet that is tied

Sabot – box where cards are placed for dealing Shoe – box where cards are placed for dealing Soft hand – a score of 11 or less, meaning a card can be drawn without busting

Stand – to take no more cards Stand off – a tie with the dealer Stiff hand – a score of 12 – 16

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Blackjack Card Counting

• Adapting the Strategies for any Casino Games Tournament
• Blackjack Casino Playing & Winning Strategies part 1
• Paper Cards and Sport Betting, Origins of Gaming
• Blackjack Casino Playing & Winning Strategies part 3
• Blackjack Casino Playing & Winning Strategies part 2
• How to use the Strategies for normal Gambling Sessions
• Poker Tip - Captivating On Your Poker Game
• Six Mistakes to Avoid in Video Poker
• Sitemap
• Understanding Casino Gambling Odds, Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Slots; think before take a Bet