how to count cards

 by the4est
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learn how to count cards in blackjack (21)! a quick easy way to beat the dealer! this especially comes in handy on a trip to vegas, or anywhere else that they have casinos.
 
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Step 1: Card values

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in counting cards, you add up card values to see what your odds are of getting a good hand. cards 2-6 have a value of +1, cards 7-9 have a value of 0, and 10-ace have a value of -1
nukez28 says: Jul 21, 2011. 5:27 AM
oh gosh. most of you commenters have no knowledge at all in card counting. it is not illegal AT ALL! most casinos actually sell card counting charts in their GIFT SHOPS! the count VERY rarely gets higher than +10 and i mean very RARE. the movie 21 is a horrible interpretation of real card counting.
Burge in reply to nukez28Apr 2, 2013. 3:55 PM
21 is a good representation due to the people looking for the rare rise that helps to find the table and there multiple decks at one table such as six can make the count go from 20 to a possibility of 120 also -120 but that is so in a casino it is possible to get that lucky number everyone is looking for
Burge says: Apr 2, 2013. 3:54 PM
21 is a good representation due to the people looking for the rare rise that helps to find the table and there multiple decks at one table such as six can make the count go from 20 to a possibility of 120 also -120 but that is so in a casino it is possible to get that lucky number everyone is looking for.
grimfig says: Aug 23, 2008. 8:04 PM
What's the point?
Foaly7 in reply to grimfigMay 19, 2011. 5:32 PM
Winning is the point. Or at least not losing to bad.
M4industries says: May 1, 2010. 1:11 PM
  I understand true count, but once you have the true count, what happens. In other words, what do you do with the number? Just bet big or what?
the4est (author) in reply to M4industriesMay 1, 2010. 2:15 PM
once you have the true count, if it is a high enough number, then you bet big. be careful, though, because the more decks there are, the less accurate it will be.
M4industries in reply to the4estMay 1, 2010. 3:41 PM
 How high is high enough? I mean, in the movie 21, the count gets up to 16, 17, and 18. (Sorry for all the questions)
the4est (author) in reply to M4industriesMay 1, 2010. 10:58 PM
true, the count does get that high, but keep in mind, they are playing with multiple decks, and (i haven't seen that in a while) if my memory is correct, that is not the true count. as far as how high is high enough, that depends on the risks you are willing to take. the higher the count, though, the better odds you have of winning
suzukisuv says: Aug 6, 2009. 12:46 PM
why is counting cheating. Thats weird. I would like to play this.
danlab in reply to suzukisuvFeb 7, 2010. 10:34 AM
It isn't cheating, but the casinos want to make as much money as possible so they will throw you out if they catch you since it gives you a better chance of making money off them.
fauge7 says: Nov 11, 2009. 4:34 PM
i want that
coolz says: Jun 24, 2008. 7:57 PM
thats actually cheating and casinos can kick you out...
meeeeeeewith7es in reply to coolzAug 15, 2008. 8:30 AM
it is not cheating, you would have to alter the outcome of the game using sleight of hand or a machine of some sort
AngusNotSoYoung in reply to meeeeeeewith7esSep 2, 2008. 6:54 AM
yeah I agree it isn't cheating its strategy
mg0930mg in reply to AngusNotSoYoungMay 8, 2009. 6:13 PM
Casinos consider it cheating. :P
awsome in reply to mg0930mgMay 22, 2009. 11:24 AM
yep it is cheating and also illegal to do so in a game in which you are making money....you technically could be arrested but...not on the casino grounds anyways
Foaly7 in reply to awsomeJun 1, 2009. 6:04 PM
It is not illegal at all. Casinos will only kick the crap out of you with their bouncers and then kick you off of the property and red-flag you to every other casino in Vegas. So it's not illegal, just a bad idea to not keep it a secret. Also, it is not cheating. View AngusNotSoYoung's comment above.
the4est (author) in reply to coolzJun 25, 2008. 8:39 AM
but it isn't illegal... they can kick you out (casinos are private property), but they can't have you arrested.
jmacfarland in reply to the4estJul 1, 2012. 2:49 PM
Casinos can only kick you out in states that have voted to make casinos private property (e.g. Arizona). In most other places like Atlantic City they can only change dealers more often, add decks to the shoe, etc. also, they can ask you to stop playing. That is all.
mg0930mg in reply to the4estSep 6, 2008. 7:59 PM
Or beat you o a bloody pulp... Watch 21 or read raising the house( i think) It is a true story about a few mit students who cheated at 21 in vegas.
john henry says: May 22, 2009. 7:50 PM
I meant casinsos not casing and did A make a trip to the bank for the money shot lol
john henry says: May 22, 2009. 7:47 PM
I bet A a hundred bucks the dealers do it at the casing and this is our best chance of beating them at there own game muhahahha
ikoda says: Sep 27, 2008. 10:56 PM
Can you count cards playing with just you and another person?
the4est (author) in reply to ikodaSep 29, 2008. 5:27 PM
yes, you need at least 2 people to play blackjack, and you can practice counting cards by yourself
maharg20 says: Sep 26, 2008. 12:04 PM
I am sorry but I don't think that this tutorial is specific enough
LuminousObject says: Sep 8, 2008. 3:52 PM
It's not cheating. If you have the mental capacity to do this with all of the distractions around, then go for it. Just don't get caught. And remember, don't be like the king of hearts! (suicidal king)
junits15 says: Sep 4, 2008. 12:45 PM
Thats also illigal
KLUTZYengineer says: Jul 16, 2008. 9:24 PM
Yes they are eligible of kicking you out, but there is no fine/penalty, and the dreaded "Back-Room", Kafkaesque bureaucracies...
JSeb says: Jun 18, 2008. 9:35 AM
Would have appreciated if you took us through a sample game.
Sergeant Crayon says: Jun 13, 2008. 2:09 PM
"but casinos can still throw you off of their property if they suspect you." I used to count cards when I played with my friends in high school. When they finally caught me one of my friends told me a story about how his uncle was caught in Atlantic City. (This was before they used all the preventative measures: multiple decks, etc.) The casino he was staying at basically beat him up (breaking two of his fingers and his nose) then kicked him out of his room with no compensation for the cost. I didn't believe him at all until I met his uncle, whose fingers were, in fact, mangled. Bad. Long story short: don't get caught, casinos are way more powerful than we give them credit for.
the4est (author) in reply to Sergeant CrayonJun 13, 2008. 3:42 PM
your right, and they can do that (even though it's illegal)...... so i wouldn't advise using this in casinos until you are really good.
Sergeant Crayon in reply to the4estJun 14, 2008. 11:08 AM
Although I think he got caught because he was doing by himself. Casinos monitor people who bet small for a while then suddenly bet big and win. It looks kind of suspicious unless you have a team.
fathomreach says: Jun 13, 2008. 10:49 AM
This is a wonderful technique for multiple decks. Keep in mind some casinos are now switching to single deck shuffling machines. While you play one hand, the shuffler works on another deck. After the round is finished, the dealer grabs the newly shuffled deck and puts into the shuffler the recently used one. This method has made card counting irrelevant. The best thing in this situation is to memorize and stick with rules of when to stand, hit, split, double based on the dealer up-card and hope like crazy you come out on top.
mattgibby says: Jun 11, 2008. 3:55 PM
u should add some pics
mattgibby says: Jun 11, 2008. 3:54 PM
Cool!
benthekahn says: Jun 11, 2008. 11:24 AM
Thanks Aidan, this is cool.
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