Card Counting

Is it legal?

YES
Do I need to be a math genius to count cards? NO

Will I make money from counting cards?

PROBABLY NOT

History of Blackjack

Originated in Spain or France in the 16th or 17thth Century First referenced in a book by Miguel de Cervantes

In the U.S., bonuses of 10:1 were introduced for having a black Ace and a black Jack
Edward O. Thorpe

How to Play Blackjack

Decisions
1) Hit

2) Stand
3) Split

4) Double Down
5) Surrender Insurance

Results & Payouts

Normal hand pays 1:1 Blackjack: 3:2 Tie: Push Insurance: 2:1

How to Play Blackjack

What is the objective?

BEAT THE DEALER!!

Basic Strategy
There is a mathematically correct way to play every single hand.

Practice Time!
And videos!

Why does Card Counting Work?

Blackjack has a history!

Blackjack advantage
4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3
Length of Shoe

Advantage (in %)

Roulette Advantage
0
Advantage (in %)

-0.5 -1 -1.5 -2 -2.5

Length of Game

How Does Card Counting Work?

The more high cards left in the shoe, the higher the advantage for the player. The more low cards left in the shoe, the higher the the advantage for the casino.

How Does Card Counting Work?

Card counting is simply finding the ratio of high cards to low cards left to be played.

Why are high cards good for the player?

1) More blackjacks which pay 3:2

2) More double down wins

3) More chances for the dealer to bust

Running Count: Hi-Lo Strategy

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 = Counted as +1

7, 8, 9
A, 10

= Counted as 0
= Counted as -1

True Count (TC)

Running count
---------divided by---------

# of decks left to play

The TC tells you your advantage, thus telling you how much to bet!

Basic Strategy Deviations

That chart I just showed you saying how to play perfectly?..... It's not always perfect.

Counters vs. Casinos

Cat vs. Mouse

Is Card Counting Legal? Casino Countermeasures

1. Barring
2. Reduced Penetration 3. CSMs 4. Griffin Book

Team Play & Famous Counters

Gorillas and heat. Not Gorillas in heat.

MIT Blackjack Team

Josh Axelrad
Ken Uston

Blackjack Traveler
Israelis in South Korea 3 Days in Prague

Card Counting Today

Information is King! Stories from the internet

Advanced Techniques
1) Side Bets
A)
B)

Over/Under 13
Lucky Ladies

2) Shuffle Tracking 3) Hole Carding

In Search of EV
Casino Rules & Their Effect

A specific Casino's rules have HUGE effects on a player's advantage

In Search of EV
Bankroll Management

Effective bankroll management can mean the difference between success and failure