Counting cards in blackjack is what can give the player the edge over the casino, which is why casinos frown upon players counting cards –Casinos can remove you from the premises if you are caught counting cards, but it’s NOT an illegal activity. The basics of card-counting can be learned in minutes, but to accurately keep count when the cards are flying fast and furious at the blackjack tables it takes a lot of practice –especially if you don’t want to get noticed!

The most basic method of counting cards involves what is known as the Hi-Lo system, or simple count, which adds 1 point for every card between 2 and 6, Subtracts 1 point for every card 10 through Ace, and ignores all cards between 7 and 9. As a player’s count increases (goes into positive territory) this means there is a higher likelihood of high cards coming –the higher the count the greater the percentage of high cards vs. low cards.

There are a number of more advanced counts as well, but many experts believe that the extra time it takes to maintain an accurate count is actually counter-productive since you can play more hands per hour using the simple count without giving up much equity.

In addition to your running count you must also take into consideration how many decks are being used, and how many decks have already been dealt. For instance having a +5 count after seeing ½ of a deck in a 7-deck shoe is not as good as having a +5 count after 4- decks of the shoe have been dealt.

This why it’s important to practice your card-counting techniques at home  –as well as your deck recognition, i.e. how many cards have been dealt at this point. This will also make counting second-nature, which will help you avoid detection by casino staff.

Another important aspect of card counting is to know how to vary your bets and strategies, but you must also be willing to make some poor plays when your bets are small to once again avoid detection. So, if you only make unorthodox plays when you bet big it’s likely the casino staff will be keeping a close eye on you, but if you seem to be a wild player regardless of the stakes –it’s best to be viewed as a hunch player—the casino will not be watching you as closely.

Remember, card counting is not illegal, but a casino can, and will, throw you out/ban you, for engaging in this practice. So it’s best to stay under the radar and not sit at the blackjack tables of the same casino day after day!