Blackjack : Counting Cards in Blackjack

Blackjack is a game where past actions can affect the future of the game, because the player will eventually receive those undealt cards. It depends on the player's luck if the remaining cards are high or low. This does not happen in other casino games such as roulette or craps. One can remember the cards that have been dealt but that is pretty difficult. If a multiple deck shoe is used it gets even more complicated.

The card counting method always allots positive, negative or zero point values to the remaining cards. The counting method depends on the counter, but usually the higher valued cards receive negative value whereas the small valued cards receive positive value.

If the dealer wants to be as accurate as possible he can estimate both the dealt and the undealt cards. The process gets more complicated if the range of point values is larger. The easiest way of counting cards is when the cards have very low values such as: 1, -1, and 0.

It is often difficult for the counter to give a value for the Ace, because generally the Ace is not very useful except for blackjack scenarios. But still the Ace usually receives a positive value. The counting helps the player adjust his strategy; increasing the bet when the good cards follow and lower the bet when the bad ones follow.

The counting should be performed very carefully, so that the results will be positive. If a mistake is made in the counting process the counter risks losing a lot of their stake.