Card Counting Information and Famous Blackjack Card Counters

Blackjack Card Counting Systems

Basic Premise

The term “counting cards” refers to any strategy a player can utilize to track the cards that have been played in the game of blackjack. Counting cards  successfully can be very profitable for the player. The main principle behind tracking cards or “card counting systems” is that the player assigns a value to each card dealt in order to determine if the remaining cards are in their favor or not. Computer simulations have proven that a high running count (more high cards remaining) is beneficial to the player and a low running count (more low cards remaining) is beneficial to the dealer. The reasons that a high running count is more favorable to the player include but are not limited to the following:

•    “Blackjacks” become more common for the player

•    Dealer will bust more “stiff hands” (eg. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16’s)

•    “Double Downs” become more successful for the player

•    The “insurance” option becomes more profitable

If a player can successfully combine both a “blackjack basic strategy” and “card counting systems” the casino advantage can be eliminated completely.

Card Counting Systems Blackjack Information in Detail

•    “Hi/Lo” or “plus-minus” system

The player assigns a value to each card which will increase or decrease the count by 1 or the count will remain the same.  Cards from 2 to 6 are assigned a value of +1 (positive cards), cards from 7 to 9 are assigned a value of 0 (neutral cards) and cards from 10 to Ace are assigned a value of -1 (negative cards). The player begins the count at 0.  Every positive card that is dealt will add 1 to the count and every negative card will subtract 1 from the count.  Each neutral card is counted as 0 and the count remains the same.  As the dealing of the “shoe” progresses and the credibility of the count increases the player may decide to raise his/her bet amount if a favorable positive count exists.  “Hi/Lo” is also known as a “single-level” or the “level-one” method of counting because the overall count never increases or decreases by more than one.

•    “Multilevel” system

The difference between a “single-level” and “multilevel” counting system is based on the assignment of value for each card.  In a “multilevel” system a player may assign card values of +2 or -2 for greater distinction and accuracy.  A “multilevel” counting system is more advanced and the results are often more profitable.

The following is a table which illustrates various “counting card strategies” and the card value assignments they assign:

Counting Cards Strategy	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	J	Q	K	A
Wizard Ace/Five	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-1
KO	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	0	-1	-1	-1	-1	-1
Hi-Lo	1	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	-1	-1	-1	-1	-1
HI-Opt I	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	-1	-1	-1	-1	0
Hi-Opt II	1	1	2	2	1	1	0	0	-2	-2	-2	-2	0
Zen Count	1	1	2	2	2	1	0	0	-2	-2	-2	-2	-1
Omega II	1	1	2	2	2	1	0	-1	-2	-2	-2	-2	0

•    “Cluster Counting” or “Shuffle Tracking”

A method of determining when a high percentage of high cards (10 through Ace) will be dealt based on observation of “clusters” from the previous “shoe” or game.  Players who track “clusters” mentally take note of cards from the previous game and where they were grouped.  After the shuffle as the next game progresses they raise their bets when the groups or “clusters” begin to appear.  Casinos have begun to discourage “shuffle tracking” by using automated shuffling machines.

Running Count and True Count in single deck/multiple deck games

Players who “count cards” must make a distinction between the “running count” and the true count”.  The “running count” is the count from the beginning of the deck or “shoe”.  The “true count” is the “running count” adjusted for the decks remaining to be played.  In a single deck game the “running count” is also the “true count” because only one deck is being played.  However, in a multiple deck game the “running count” must be divided by the number of decks remaining to calculate the true count.  Let’s take an example to explain:

Player is in the middle of a single deck game.  The player is using a Hi/Lo system and the “running count” from the beginning of the “shoe” is +6 or a “positive 6 count”.  What is the current “true count” of the game being played?

Answer: The “true count” would be +6

Reason: The “true count” is equal to the “running count in a single deck game

Now let’s take a look at an example in a multiple deck game:

Player is in the middle of a game using six decks.  The player is using a Hi/Lo system and the “running count” from the beginning of the shoe is -8 or a “negative 8 count”.  There are an estimated two decks discarded.  What is the current “true count” of the game being played?

Answer: The “true count” would be -2

Reason: The “true count” is equal to the “running count” in a multiple deck game divided by the remaining decks to be played.  If two decks have been discarded there are still four decks to be played.  The “running count” of -8 divided by four decks remaining equals -2.

Expected Profits from Counting Cards

A player who has the ability to “count cards” effectively and implement a “basic strategy” can create on average a 1% advantage over the “house”.  Keep in mind this is an average and the actual number can vary based on certain rules, player skill level, hands per hour as well as “penetration” or how far into the “shoe” the dealer continues to play.  We know that a “basic strategy” alone will lower the casino advantage from an average of 2% to less than .5%.  Add in an accurate count and appropriate betting levels and the player has just turned the blackjack odds into his/her own advantage.

The following example will illustrate the expected profit a player can realize at this 1% percentage:

Player sits at a blackjack table (minimum $50/maximum $5000) and plays $100 hands on average for 6 hours.  The table is empty so the player is able to play on average 120 hands per hour.  The player implements a “basic strategy” based on the casino rules as well as a “Hi-Lo” counting system to keep track of the current count.  The player periodically raises and lowers his bet amount based on the current count at that time.  How much money on average can this player expect to win over time?

Answer: (100 x 6 x 120 x 1%) = $720

Breakdown: $100 per hand x 6 hours of play x 120 hands per hour x .01 or 1% advantage = $720 in expected profits for the player.

This example would be considered small-scale when determining how much professionals capitalize by playing effectively.  Let’s raise the stakes a little in the next example:

Player sits at the blackjack table (minimum $50/maximum $5000) and plays $250 hands on average over the course of the same 6 hours.  The player is aggressive during optimal counts and raises his bets accordingly.  The player is alone and able to play 120 hands per hour.  Casino rules dictate the “basic strategy” and he uses an advanced “multilevel Hi-Opt II” counting system. The combination of his skill, strategy and counting system will yield an expected profit of 2%.  How much can this player expect to win in theory?

Answer: ($250 x 6 x 120 x 2%) = $3,600

Breakdown: $250 per hand x 6 hours of play x 120 hands per hour x .02 or 2% advantage = $3,600 in expected profits for the player.

The player in the example above just netted $3,600 over a 6 hour period or $600 per hour.  Not too bad for an honest days work.

You can understand now why casinos have historically frowned on card counters.  The examples above show the money that can be made at the game of blackjack with the correct understanding and skill.  Let’s take a look at the history of “card counting” as well as some of the individuals who have become famous for their success.

Is counting card legal?

Card counting is not illegal in the United States.  As long as a player is not using the help of an outside device there are no laws banning a player from creating an advantage.  Ken Uston, considered by many to be the greatest card counter of all time, took the Atlantic City casino to court (Uston vs. Resorts International) and won making it illegal for casinos to ban skilled players.  However, that does not mean casinos welcome skilled players with open arms.  Casinos will do everything within the law to discourage a suspected card counter including but not limited to the following:

•    Harassment of the suspected card counter to break concentration

•    Adding more decks to the “shoe”

•    Switching dealers more often during the game

•    Shuffling more often or even before the end of the “shoe” to break the count

•    Changing the rules for “splitting”, “doubling” and other player decisions

•    Changing the table limits and stakes

•    Forcing a player to “flat bet” or not allowing them to raise their bet

•    Automatic shuffling machines which eliminates ability for counting cards

•    Cancellation of any earned or promised casino comps

They also spend a large amount of money on surveillance and facial recognition software.  The “eye in the sky” is always watching and trying to stay one step ahead of the card counters.    In jurisdictions like Nevada, where casinos are rules to be private places, they are allowed within the law to ban a player from entering the premises.  Suspected card counters are either told to “back off” and play the other games besides blackjack or they are read the Trespass Act and banned for a year from entering the casino.  Atlantic City is not able to take advantage of the Trespass Act.  Therefore, other measures are used to thwart counters including forcing the player to “flat-bet” (not allowed to raise bet) and also disallowing a player from entering in the middle of the shoe.  All of these actions whether in Nevada or Atlantic City are legal and making “counting cards” difficult in the long-run.

Famous Blackjack Card Counters/Card Counting Teams

•    Ken Uston

Strategist and author credited with popularizing the concept of “team blackjack”.  In the 1970’s he perfected techniques for counting cards and was eventually banned from casino around the world.  Filed a high-profile lawsuit against the Atlantic City casinos (Uston vs. Resorts Internal) and successfully received a ruling from the New Jersey courts that the casino can not ban a person for being a skilled blackjack player.

•    Dr. Edward O. Thorpe

An American mathematics professor, author, hedge fund manager and blackjack player.  In 1962 wrote the book Beat the Dealer, which proved mathematically that the game of blackjack could be beat.  The technique in the book eliminated the 5% win percentage of the house and created a 1% win percentage for the player.

•    Jess Marcum

Professional card counter who is known as having developed the first full-fledged point-count system.

•    Al Francesco

He invented blackjack team play and is known as the man who taught Ken Uston how to count cards.

•    Tommy Hyland

A well-known card counter who managed the longest running blackjack team in history.

•    Stanford Wong

He first proposed the strategy of “back-counting” or “wonging”.  The strategy involves a “card counter” to stand behind the players as the game progresses.  When the count becomes favorable for the player the counter will then sit down and begin to play.  Advantages of the strategy include the fact the player does not have to play hands in which he/she does not have a statistical advantage.  Disadvantages include unwanted attention from casino personal as well as the ire of other players who may frown upon a player entering mid-shoe.

•    MIT Card Counters

The MIT groups over the years perfected the system known as “group counting”.  In this strategy the “card counter” will sit at a table playing the minimum amount until the count becomes favorable.  At that point the “counter” will signal another player in the casino, known as the “big player” who will enter the game to take advantage of the high count.  This strategy and the success of the MIT team were made famous on the big-screen in the recent movie “21”.

Advantages of “group betting” include tracking multiple tables and playing larger bet amounts at times with a statistical advantage.  Disadvantages include needing multiple counters with skills, splitting the profits between more members and the fact that the “counters” must play long hours at a statistical disadvantage.