Blackjack: The Art of Counting Cards and Winning

The Basics of Blackjack
Before we dive into card counting, let’s recap the basics. The goal of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You’re playing against the dealer, and your job is to beat their hand. While rules can vary between casinos, the main points of the game remain the same. Before playing blackjack for real money, you can practice playing blackjack and counting cards online for free in demo games at bizzo casino online. This will help you save nerves and money.
Types of Blackjack
Gambling houses have always sought to attract customers to themselves, and if now this is done through crazy bonus offers, like at Bizzo Casino Germany, then earlier through small edits to the basic rules of the games, which brought variety to the assortment and increased the player’s chances of winning.
So, the blackjack that was formed from the rules of several continents in the United States began to have additional variations and types of play.
The most famous:
American Blackjack (basic) – when dealing, one card of the dealer is open, the other is closed;
European Blackjack – the second card is taken by the dealer after the players have finished drawing the cards;
Double exposure blackjack – is a variation of the game when the dealer immediately deals himself two cards face down. Due to the fact that the player thus gets the advantage of seeing the opponent’s cards, other rules have been tightened in favor of the casino: the institution takes bets with an equal score, the win at blackjack is 2 to 1, not 3 to 1, and a number of other adjustments are possible in different gambling houses;
Blackjack switch – two hands are dealt for one playing position, between which the initial exchange of cards is allowed.
The Art of Card Counting
Card counting is a technique that helps players keep track of the ratio between high and low cards left in the deck. This knowledge can guide your betting and gameplay decisions. The idea is simple: some cards favor the player (like tens and aces), while others benefit the dealer (usually low-value cards).
One of the easiest methods is the Hi-Lo system. In this system, each card is assigned a value:
- Cards 2 to 6: +1
- Cards 7 to 9: 0 (neutral)
- 10s, jacks, queens, kings, and aces: -1
You start with a score of 0 and adjust it based on the cards you see. A higher score means more high cards remain, which is good news for the player.
Thorpe’s Card Counting Method
There is also an even more complex version of card counting in blackjack, which was brought out in the early 60s of the XX century by the American mathematician Edward Thorpe. To get the highest efficiency from the ability to count cards, he suggested performing the following arithmetic operations with them:
- 2 + add 5;
- 3 + add 6;
- 4 + add 8;
- 5 + add 11;
- 6 + add 6;
- 7 + add 4;
- 8 is 0;
- 9 is subtract 3;
- 10 – take away 7;
- Ace – take away 9.
Of course, this method is more difficult, and a person who really has a mathematical mindset and can add, subtract, and memorize very quickly and easily will be able to work with them at the card table. At the same time, it is worth behaving at ease so as not to attract attention to yourself.
How Card Counting Helps You Win
A positive card count suggests there are more high cards left, boosting your chances of winning. This is the time to increase your bets and make strategic moves. Conversely, a negative count indicates more low cards, so you might want to lower your bets.
However, remember that card counting isn’t a guaranteed win. It’s a tool to tilt the odds in your favor, but luck still plays a role.