80%
75%
USA
Canada
Australia
UKHow to Count Cards in Blackjack: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Asking how to count cards in blackjack is one of the most common questions from players looking for an edge at the table. And while it might sound overwhelming at first, you’ll quickly see it’s not that hard to pick up.
This guide walks you through what card counting really is, how it works, and why it matters. You’ll see the gap between basic and perfect strategy and get a look at the main systems players use worldwide. To wrap up, we’ll break down a simple 6-step guide on how to count cards playing blackjack so you can start practicing right away.
What is Card Counting?
Card counting in blackjack means you track how the shoe changes with each card that hits the felt. Players focus on whether more low-value or high-value cards have already appeared, since that shifts the balance of what remains. This is possible because standard games use multiple rounds before a reshuffle, so the leftover mix changes the statistical edge. Learning how to count cards in blackjack shows you that flow and makes it clearer when conditions tilt slightly more in your favor.
How Does Counting Cards Work In Blackjack: The Basics
Counting cards in blackjack works on the principle that different values favor opposing sides. Low cards (2 through 6) make life easier for the dealer by lowering the risk of busting when forced to hit weak totals like 12, 13, or 14. High cards (10s, face cards, and Aces) swing the edge toward you because they create more natural blackjacks paying 3:2 and increase the likelihood of the dealer breaking when stuck drawing from fragile positions. 7s, 8s, and 9s generally sit in the middle without much influence.
By keeping a mental tally of which type of cards have left the shoe, you can tell when the deck is rich in high cards. That’s the spot where the odds lean more your way.
Why It Matters: The Edge In Numbers
Card counting matters because it turns blackjack from a game where the casino has an advantage into one where you can claim the edge. Playing perfect basic strategy without counting leaves the house with roughly a 0.5% edge. That means every $100 wagered carries an expected 50-cent loss over time. By tracking how many high or low cards remain in the shoe, you change that balance.
When the deck is rich in tens and aces, your chances rise. You’ll hit more blackjacks paying 3:2, build stronger totals like twenty or twenty-one, and see more dealer busts on weak hands. Knowing you’re in such situations sets the opportunity to bet more confidently because probability finally leans toward you. Over time, this swing gives you about a 1 – 2% advantage.
Is Card Counting in Blackjack Illegal?
Card counting in blackjack is not illegal in land-based casinos because you’re relying only on memory and observation. No jurisdiction can prosecute you for mental arithmetic at the table. However, casinos are private businesses, and they have the right to refuse service. In Las Vegas, for example, Ben Affleck was banned from the Hard Rock Casino after staff noticed his counting. Joe Stiers was also barred from all Caesars properties for the same reason.
Basic Strategy vs Perfect Strategy
Before card counting even comes into play, you must master what’s called basic strategy. This is the mathematically proven set of decisions that tells you the best way to play every possible hand against all dealer upcards. It covers when to hit, stand, double down, or split, all based on probabilities worked out from millions of simulated hands.
For example, holding a hard 16 against a dealer 10 is a hit because the chance of busting is lower than the chance of surviving if the dealer makes a strong hand. Splitting eights is always correct, as two weak hands have better winning potential than one total of sixteen. Following this charted system alone cuts the casino’s edge from around 2% to about 0.5%.
Perfect strategy
Perfect strategy now goes a step further. It makes the optimal decision not only from your total and the dealer’s upcard, but also by factoring in the exact composition of your hand and the remaining deck.
For example, basic strategy says hit 16 against a dealer 10, but with perfect strategy, the right play might change if your 16 is made of a 10+6 versus a 9+7, or if you know many small cards are already gone. It’s “perfect” because it squeezes out every last fractional edge by adapting to card distribution, but it’s far more complex and not practical without counting.
Card Counting Systems Overview
There are several ways to learn how to count cards playing blackjack. Each system varies in complexity and accuracy, but they all follow the same idea — tracking the ratio of high cards to low cards.
Here are the best card counting methods in blackjack:
- Hi-Lo Strategy: Think of Hi-Lo as entry-level counting. You tag 2–6 as +1, 10–Ace as -1, and 7–9 as 0. Keep a rolling tally for every card. When the count climbs, more tens and aces remain, giving you stronger betting opportunities.
- KO Count: Similar to Hi-Lo in structure but unbalanced, meaning the running total won’t end at zero after a full deck. Cards 2–7 score +1, 8–9 are neutral, and 10s, faces, plus aces are –1. Key counts replace true count conversion.
- Omega II: This balanced system by Bryce Carlson assigns 2,3,7 a value of +1, 4,5,6 as +2, 9 as –1, and 10s plus face cards as –2, with 8 and Aces neutral. Stronger accuracy than Hi-Lo, but harder mentally.
- Wong Halves: Here you juggle fractions. 2 and 7 = +0.5, 3, 4, 6 = +1, 5 = +1.5, 9 = -0.5, 10–Ace = -1, 8 = 0. To simplify, double all numbers and ditch decimals altogether.
| System | Values | True Count Needed? | Difficulty | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Lo | +1/0/–1 | Yes | Medium | Very good |
| KO | +1/0/–1 | No | Easy | Good |
| Omega II | Multiple weights | Yes | Hard | Excellent |
| Wong Halves | Fractions | Yes | Very hard | Top-tier |
How to Count Cards in Blackjack for Beginners (Step By Step)
The best entry point for learning how to count cards playing blackjack is Hi-Lo because:
- the system keeps values simple with +1, 0, and –1 assignments
- the approach builds habits you can later adapt to more advanced systems
- the strategy is widely documented with plenty of charts, guides, and drills available
Here is how to count cards in blackjack step by step:
Step 1: Assigning Values
- Cards 2 through 6 = +1
- Cards 7, 8, 9 = 0 (ignore them)
- Cards 10, J, Q, K, A = –1
That’s the whole Hi-Lo system. Every card that comes out, you mentally assign one of these values.
Step 2: Practice the Running Count
Shuffle a single deck. Flip cards one by one face up. After each card, say the value out loud and keep a running total in your head.
Example:
- First card: 5 → count = +1
- Next card: Queen → count = 0
- Next card: Ace → count = –1
- Next card: 3 → count = 0
- Next card: 2 → count = +1
When you finish the deck, your final running count must equal 0. If it doesn’t, you made a mistake at some point. Keep practicing until you can successfully count down a deck in under 30 seconds.
Step 3: Scale up to Multiple Decks
Most blackjack games use multiple decks. When you’re practicing, shuffle two, four, or six together and run the same drill. Don’t panic if your numbers get bigger. That’s totally normal.
Step 4: Convert to the True Count
A running count by itself isn’t enough with multiple decks. You must adjust for how many remain. That gives you the true count, which tells you your actual edge.
Formula: True Count = Running Count ÷ Decks Remaining
Let’s say the running count sits at +8 and you figure there are about 4 decks left. 8 ÷ 4 = true count of +2. That’s the number you base your decisions on.
Step 5: Adjust Your Bet Size
Start by breaking your bankroll into smaller bets. A standard method is to treat it as 100 units, so a $1,000 roll works out to $10 each. This setup helps you avoid risking too much on one hand.
When the true count is low, wager the minimum (one unit). As the count rises, scale bets upward in a measured spread:
- TC 0 or lower = 1 unit
- TC +1 = 1 unit
- TC +2 = 2–3 units
- TC +3 = 3–4 units
- TC +4 or higher = 5–6 units
Step 6: Add Strategy Deviations
Basic strategy stays your foundation, but certain plays change when the true count is high or low. For example:
- With 16 vs dealer 10, basic strategy says hit, but at TC +0 or higher, you stand.
- With 12 vs dealer 3, basic says hit, but at TC +2 or higher, you stand.
Final Notes: How to Count Cards in Blackjack
Card counting in blackjack means tracking high and low cards so you know when the odds lean your way. You start with a basic strategy, then add counting to flip the edge. Hi-Lo is the simplest system: +1 for smalls, -1 for tens and aces, 0 for the rest. The running count becomes a true count once you divide by decks left, and that’s when you scale your bets up or down.
80% 
