Can you count cards and win in an online casino? That is the question that many people ask themselves when deciding what to do with their free time. If the answer is “yes,” then you should be focusing on counting strategies. Many people spend time increasing traffic to their favorite casino and fail to improve the odds of winning once they get there. This is a huge mistake. This blog post will discuss eight steps that will help increase your card counting skills and let you enjoy playing at your favorite online casino. Before reading this article, check the list of the best Bitcoin casinos.
Start with Blackjack Basic Strategy
Many of the best card counters have learned how to count cards by using a basic strategy chart. The only way that you will be able to determine which actual playing strategy is optimal for your casino, the number of decks being dealt, and the rules of play is if you perfect blackjack basic strategy first! It also gives the house a tiny edge over you, which is essential for anyone who wants to win in the long run.
Assign a Value to Every Card
Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck, which means that there are 52 possible cards. The easiest way to determine the odds of your card combinations coming up is by assigning a value. As you practice, you will start to memorize the values of each card in certain positions so that you do not have to use this system. It will still help you when you are in the beginning stages.
Keep Track of All Fours, Fives, and Tens
These cards are precious because they can be used to create numerous strategies that allow you to double your bet when the odds are in your favor. The more fours, fives, and tens dealt, the better your odds of hitting a blackjack. If you are counting cards and notice that fours, fives, and tens are not being used as much as they should be, then it is time to take off your bets until more cards have been dealt.
Keep a “Running Count” based on the values of the card dealt
Many card counters will count the cards being dealt, which is calculated by taking all odd-valued cards minus the total of all even-valued cards. You can also do this in your head or with a calculator. The higher your running count gets, the better your odds are of winning in blackjack. While it might be tempting to make a large wager after you have created a high running count, remember that the odds can change at any moment depending on if more even-valued cards are dealt.
For example, if a five is dealt, add one to your running count. If a six is dealt, add two to your running count. You must continue to keep track of these values until the end of the shoe so that you can determine the value of any other cards left in play.
Keep an “Estimated Value” of All Unrevealed Cards
This is then the next step in increasing your chances of winning. When counting cards, you will soon notice that certain cards are more valuable than others. If you have a higher estimated value of the unrevealed cards, then your bankroll should increase.
Remember that this is just an estimate, so do not perform these calculations until all of the cards have been dealt with because the actual values could be completely different. This takes a lot of practice to get it right regularly, but it is also extremely beneficial when improving your card counting skills.
Count Aces as -1 or 1
While casinos use the term “soft 17” to refer to a blackjack that is an ace plus any card value between seven and ten, it can confuse new players. It is easiest if you count each ace as either -1 or 1. After enough rounds of play, you will see if the casino is favoring or not. If the casino has a big lead, it is time to take your bets off of the table.
Know How Many Decks are Used
It is almost impossible to count cards if you do not know how many decks are being used. This information can typically be found on the table, on a sign near the table, or by asking a dealer or floor supervisor. If you have all four of these numbers in your head, then it will help you determine which strategies to use and how much to bet.
Change your Bets as the True Count Rises
It is also important to know when you should increase or decrease your wagers. The actual strategy that a player uses will depend on the total number of decks being used and the true count. While an aggressive strategy will have a higher expected return, it can be difficult to keep track of all of this information in your head. Knowing when there are too many cards left in the shoe will be difficult at first, but you can take advantage of all of the available options with enough practice.
Do Not Split Pairs
When a pair is dealt, you will have a higher chance of winning in blackjack if you do not split them. If you must split, then only split Aces with Aces and Kings with Kings. It would be best if you never split eights or nines because they will become tough to count in the future when you split them. If the dealer is showing a ten, meaning that you will most likely lose your bet, then it might be time to remove yourself from the table and find another one with better conditions.
Conclusion
If you want to count cards in blackjack, then keep these points in your head. As long as you have a good system for keeping track of the running count and paying attention to which cards are being dealt, you will minimize the house edge. The best players have an expected return of over 100%! That means that you can play for free (other than your time) after only a few hours of practice.