[SBR Drew]

Card counting is the technique you use when you keep track of the number of high and low cards left in the dealers’ deck. Count cards successfully and you can raise your bet when you know the odds are stacked in your favor, making you much more likely to win big. Remember though, card counting is not for learning how to consistently win at blackjack, or how to cheat in blackjack. It’s simply a skillset in addition to your normal gameplay, to give you a better idea of what’s in the deck.

To card count properly all that you are doing is keeping a running tally based on the face value of any cards revealed. Learn how to count cards with these 4 simple steps:

• Start by assigning cards a value of either +1 (cards 2-6), 0 (cards 7-9), or -1 (cards 10-Ace).
• Keep a running count with each card the dealer pulls a card from the deck, using the values mentioned above.
• Providing you keep an accurate count as the cards are dealt, you'll be able to monitor the running value of the cards left remaining in the deck.
• After each round, if the count is negative, increase the size of you bet. This is because there will be more low-value cards remaining in the deck. If the count is positive, lower your bet instead.

So how does this create an advantage over the casino? Well, if you're playing blackjack perfectly, the house edge is around 0.5%. If you play perfectly plus master card counting, you are playing with a 1% advantage over the casino! So, it really does pay to start practicing.

[SBR Drew]