Boost Your Odds with 12bet Blackjack Card Counting Techniques
Are you losing more than winning? Did your strategies and plans fail? Then no need to worry because 12bet gives you an advanced strategy called card counting which will increase your winning odds and help you understand deeply the game tactics. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of card counting and how you can incorporate this strategy into your game to increase the odds of winning the game.
What is Card Counting?
Card counting is a strategic technique used by players in blackjack to assess the probability of advantageous hands. By keeping track of low and high-value cards in the game, players can make more informed decisions for potential upcoming hands. Many people believe that it requires a great level of intelligence but it depends on the strategy which you adopt in the game, whether it is a basic strategy or an advanced one.
How does Card Counting Work?
Contrary to common misconceptions, card counting in blackjack does not require memorizing every card that has been dealt from the shoe. The key is to have a general understanding of the remaining deck’s value. By doing so, players can adjust their playing style and bet sizes accordingly for a strategic advantage. In other words, card counting works like this:
Basic Blackjack Card Counting Strategy
Counting Cards with the Hi-Lo System
This is the simplest and the most popular strategy to learn for beginners and casual Blackjack players. The Hi-Lo system breaks the cards into three camps- the high cards, the neutral cards and the low cards. Players can count the cards according to the values given below:
| Card Value | Card Types | Assigned Value |
| High Cards | 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace | -1 |
| Neutral Cards | 7, 8, 9 | 0 |
| Low Cards | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 1 |
High cards (10 to Ace) are valued at -1 because their depletion reduces the player’s advantage, while low cards (2 to 6) are valued at +1 because their presence benefits the player. Neutral cards (7 to 9) have a value of 0 as they don’t affect the game significantly.
The Hi-Lo system is termed a ‘balanced’ counting method because the combination of High, Neutral and Low cards in a deck results in a total value of zero. Players using this system need to calculate the running count by adding or subtracting the card values for all cards played including those in the dealer’s and other players’ hands.
‘Running Count’ in Blackjack
The running count in Blackjack is a fundamental component of card counting strategies. It involves keeping track of the relative point value of the cards that have been dealt during a game. Players assign specific values to different cards based on their card counting system.
The running count provides a snapshot of the overall composition of the remaining cards in the shoe. By maintaining the running count throughout the game, players can determine when the deck is rich in high cards (favourable for the player) or low cards (favourable for the dealer).
‘True Count’ in Blackjack
Today online casinos complicate the system by adding more decks to the game and that’s where the true count comes into play. So, the player can have an advantage at any point in the multi-deck Blackjack game. The true count can be taken by dividing the running count by the number of decks remaining in the game.
True count = running count / remaining decks in the shoe
The more the true count, the more the advantage.
How much to Bet when Counting Cards?
In card counting, betting styles and sizes are influenced by several factors including the player’s bankroll size, risk tolerance, specific blackjack rules and chosen betting strategies. While older gambling guides used to recommend certain betting patterns for card counting, many casinos are now aware of these tactics and actively try to identify and discourage card counters. Below is the simple equation of how much the player should bet:
Bet amount = True count – 1 betting unit
Advanced Card Counting Strategies
The Hi-Lo system is a great starting point for beginners in card counting. However, for players seeking higher precision and more advanced techniques, the Omega II and Wong Halves systems are worth exploring. These Level II and Level III systems are designed for intermediate and expert players respectively and demand greater accuracy to be effective. Though more complex, these systems provide players with enhanced betting efficiency in blackjack, making them valuable tools for those looking to take their card counting skills to the next level.
Counting Cards with the Omega II System
Unlike the simple +/-1 count values used in Hi-Lo, the Omega II system employs a multi-level approach with +/-2 count values. This means players must calculate additional values to maintain the running count.
In this system, card counters assign the following values to the cards:
| Card Types | Assigned Value |
| 2, 3, 7 | 1 |
| 4, 5, 6 | 2 |
| 9 | -1 |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | -2 |
| 8, Ace | 0 |
Similar to Hi-Lo, in Omega II, players keep track of the running count using the same method. Omega II is also a balanced card counting system, starting the shoe at 0 and players will need to calculate the true count for multi-deck games. The formula for determining the true count remains the same for Omega II. This advanced system offers more precision and complexity, making it suitable for players seeking greater accuracy in their card counting strategy.
Counting Cards with the Wong Halves System
Wong Halves stands as the most complicated card counting system in blackjack employing three value levels in its multi-level approach. Only seasoned players, well-versed in other card counting methods, should attempt Wong Halves, as it can overwhelm beginners. The system’s use of fractions in its values adds to the complexity, making card counting particularly challenging amidst the distractions of a blackjack game. Counters can assign the below values:
| Card Types | Assigned Value | Alternative Value |
| 3, 4, 6 | 1 | 2 |
| 2, 7 | 0.5 | 1 |
| 5 | 1.5 | 3 |
| 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | -0.5 | -1 |
| 10, Ace, Jack, Queen, King | -1 | -2 |
However, Wong Halves excels in accuracy when predicting the player’s advantage, boasting an impressive 0.99 betting correlation out of 1.00. This near-perfect prediction capability makes it a valuable tool for seasoned card counters.
To utilize Wong Halves effectively, players must maintain a running count of the cards in play, just like any other card counting system. As a balanced system, the count starts at 0 after each deck shuffle, and players incorporate the true count into their strategy.
In terms of betting, Wong Halves suggests increasing wager size as the true count rises, indicating a favorable situation for the player. Conversely, when the dealer gains an advantage, players should reduce their bets, even wagering as little as nothing in certain scenarios.
Tips for Mastering Card Counting
Card Counting systems may be simple and straightforward but some players struggle to keep count when they combine it with basic strategy. To master the art of card counting, you need to do a lot of practice. Some of the below tips can help you count cards more easily:
FAQs
Conclusion
Card Counting techniques can certainly help the players to increase the odds of winning and improve their winnings. However, casinos today have become active and banned some of these tactics. If a player gets caught, he would find himself in some sort of trouble.
If you are a beginner, then the Hi-Lo system will be the best option to start with the basics of card counting. It is simple and easy to grasp while advanced counting systems like Omega II and Wong Halves require a lot of practice to master them. It is important to gamble responsibly and safely as these tactics are being banned in many casinos. Playing through online casinos will mitigate any risk of getting caught since dealers won’t be able to see how a player plays, especially when said player is betting behind.
