He's taught and entertained over 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel NeverSplit10's . With this lesson, I’m going to unwrap the veil of mystery which seems to surround the concept of card counting. This leads to more hands being available in the game. The Hi-Lo card counting system is a card counting strategy designed for use by beginning and intermediate blackjack players. It’s not necessary to change your strategy based on the count, but if you want to milk the casino for every tenth of a percent, you can do so. It involves keeping track of the cards that have been. In this blackjack strategy guide we explore some of the many popular blackjack myths. The key is consistency. This was created by Bryce Carlson, who also published a book on card counting in 1992. Here’s the A-5 card counting strategy: Start the count from zero. In blackjack, the player is more likely to win when there are more cards worth 10 or 11 points in the deck. On average - and depending on the rules number of decks in play, number of decks dealt out before the shuffle and bet spread (difference between the highest and lowest bet) – Card Counting can provide the player of an edge between 0. 2% 42. Read more. Play. The most basic systems are Level One, which assign each card just one level of values (+1 or – 1). It is a set of 18 indices or exceptions to the common rules of basic blackjack strategy. The Ace Five blackjack strategy is one of the simplest forms of card counting in the game of 21. Lean towards a basic strategy – Casinos make a killing from blackjack players who don’t understand what they’re doing. If the table doesn’t allow surrendering, then hit. Hi-Lo card counting system is considered to be one of the easiest blackjack systems which was created specially for new comers and intermediate players of blackjack card game. It’s also the most talked about strategy among players and blackjack experts, which was invented by Harvey Dubner in 1963. The Uston SS (Strongest and Simplest) Blackjack Card Counting System. These two weapons—your bankroll and your knowledge—are dependent upon one another. 3. 15 questions (or so) BLACKJACK CARD COUNTING PRACTICE. dealer’s Ace. This system was first used in 1992 and was called the All Sevens system. This is because you have a fantastic chance to hit 21, and even if you don’t, you’re likely to get a score close to that magic number. His book only gave the single-deck version. Free daily Sweepstakes Coins. 1. The MIT Blackjack Team was a group of students and ex-students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and other leading colleges who used card counting techniques and more sophisticated strategies to beat casinos at blackjack worldwide. Data - I figure, if you're going to play billions of hands, you ought to record what happened. 2. Here are the basic steps: Assign card values of +1 (cards 2-6), 0 (cards 7-9), or -1 (cards 10-Ace). However, two actions can grab the wrong kind of attention from casino. The point values are distributed. In addition to practice, there are drills, tests, and a variety of useful calculators included. Counting cards could give you an edge of up to 2% on the house – but it can only be done in land-based casinos. The most commonly used card counting strategy for blackjack is the Hi-Lo counting system. If the strategy says. If it were an easy way to. With balanced counts, the counting begins with the value of 0 and if the player goes through a deck, or multiple decks, of cards. The features of this app are designed to allow you to easily learn to keep the running count and convert it to the true count based on the number of decks remaining in the shoe. The other one is your knowledge of the game and the ability to apply proper strategy. 4) CVCX Simulation Software – $85Surrender 15 against a 10. It is a three-level blackjack card counting technique, which is suitable only for advanced and expert card counters. Generally, there is not much difference in. You may have heard some of them. A straight flush gets you a 180 to. This is called a “natural blackjack. The most basic systems are Level One, which assign each card just one level of values (+1 or – 1). " A hundred such books exist. If card counting is played correctly, they can get higher odds. In 1980 blackjack expert Leon Dubey published a book called No Need to Count in which he promotes a strategy for winning at blackjack which is much different from most blackjack books, which are almost exclusively about basic strategy or card counting. Step 2: The Running Count How it Works Following is a brief explanation of how to use the Hi-Lo. 12 vs 4: 0. 4M views 6 years ago. Counting cards is a technique that a player can use to determine whether the next hand gives a probable advantage to the. The variant uses two decks instead of standard six and eight, opening possibilities for better RTP (99. This is a simple yet effective technique to keep track of the cards played and how they affect your chances of winning. Here are the full rules of the game. Low cards, 2 though 6 are given the value of +1 and high cards such as 10s and aces are givenStand with 12 vs 2 at +3 or higher. dealer's 9 upcard or less. September 30, 2022. The Hi-Lo is the most commonly. The Red 7 system is a very simple card counting strategy for beginners because it is a one-level system, unlike the others. Aces and 10-point cards are assigned a value of -1. The Hi-Lo (High Low) system is one of the easier and more popular card counting systems for blackjack. Double soft 18 vs. They are shuffled together and dealt at the beginning of each hand. Repeat practice until you’re able to keep your total quickly and quietly. In a typical 6 deck shoe, each additional true count point gives the player a 0. In this Blackjack Card Counting Challenge we will be dealing to Professional Blackjack Card Counters and 1 Amateur Gambler. 1 – Assign Values to Each Card. Also, some variants are dealt with one deck (see single deck blackjack strategy) while others use multiple decks. A pair of 9’s splits against dealer 2 through 9, except for 7, otherwise stand. D. 9s are zero, we stay at plus 3. Blackjack Card Counting Using the Omega II Strategy The Omega II card counting strategy assigns values of up to +2 and -2 to cards as explained in the following table. Spanish 21 is a fast-paced variation of blackjack that has become increasingly popular. This means games like double-deck blackjack are better for counting. Overall, Double Up Blackjack is a fun and entertaining rendition of a beloved casino classic. An independent and uncensored Blackjack Forum community to discuss Card Counting techniques, Strategy, Tournaments, Advantage Play, and more. Keep a running tally while the dealer draws cards from the deck, using the abovementioned values. Card Counting in Blackjack. When you’re playing at a table, you want to see a 4. His approach is the most commonly-cited non-counting system in use. Also, it cannot always be applied in multi-deck blackjack games or online blackjack. If a four is dealt, you add two. The counter would add one, for the three card, add another one, for the six card, and subtract one, for the 10 card. Our strategy cards come in 1 deck, 2 deck and 4/6/8 deck versions. • In Halves, the 2 and 7 cards are worth +5, the 5 is worth +1. If you don’t end up at zero, then you did something wrong. I. The Card Counter’s Advantage in Multiple-Deck Blackjack. * FEATURES ***. To use the basic strategy, look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. 5%This practice is known as card counting and casinos don't like this because they know they will be losing money. He edited the monthly Blackjack Insider Newsletter, and was a featured. Card count and values. The only difference is that 7s are assigned a value of +1, just like the low cards. Unlike a 4- or 6-deck game, the running count, which is converted to the True Count (count per remaining deck) in a DD game can rise or fall quickly, but it’s gone almost as fast, due to the shuffle. After a win, the player adds a unit; after a loss, the next. Blackjack is a game of probability and blackjack strategy has a significant role to play in it. Count through a deck of cards. CV Blackjack is used for card counting practice and drills. Again, the best blackjack card counting systems will account for this. That way, a player gets information about the cards that the dealer has not dealt the gamblers. Never bet more than half your stack on a. Like in any other card game, blackjack has good cards and bad cards. So, in addition to using blackjack basic strategy, you can also use card counting to earn an edge over the casino. Card counting, as a blackjack strategy, might appear to be a simple one but in an actual game of blackjack, it is very hard to master the skill of card counting. To use the basic strategy, look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. Free Blackjack Game Rules. Increase your odds of winning by learning the fundamentals of blackjack, plus some basic blackjack strategy in this article. See moreLearn basic strategy. Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart in Text. Gameplay features: KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED- This is an entertaining and immersive game based on classic blackjack. Blackjack is a game played against the dealer, considered. Depending on which counting system you are using, this count will fluctuate with every card that is dealt. This adds up to a count of -2, which, added to your own +4 equals +2. If you're not yet familiar with the blackjack basic strategy or just need a quick refresher, we recommend checking out the basic strategy page. This system works similiar to the the Hi-Lo card counting system but has a few additional rules and card value changes which make the. If the draw creates a bust hand by counting the ace as an 11, the player simply counts the ace as a 1 and continues playing by standing or "hitting" (asking the dealer for additional cards, one at a time). It will help you learn how to play blackjack smartly by eliminating potential errors. The reasoning is quite simple, and it’s similar to Hi-Lo. 0. 5, 8 is 0, 9 is -0. 0. There's a lot more to counting cards in Blackjack than meets the eye. 40% = 1. Blackjack is the most profitable game in Las Vegas Casinos, as well as the most popular. Blackjackinfo Store. 16: Basic strategy when dealer exposes both cards; 17: The Ace-Five card counting method; 18: Basic strategy exceptions for three to six cards; 19: Blackjack splitting strategy when a back-player is betting; 20: Blackjack doubling strategy when doubling after splitting aces is allowed; 21: Details on the Wizard’s Simple Strategy;. The 4 is a low card. Blackjack FAQ ; Bad Strategy ; View All. Play. Gameplay features: KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED- This is an entertaining and immersive game based on classic blackjack. In either blackjack or baccarat a good first step in developing a card counting strategy is to determine the effect of removing any given card from the game. Use the 4/6/8 deck chart for any number of decks over two. The other 6/10 card counters will hit some positive variance and never look back. Losing is part of the game. We want you to be on top of your game when you go into the casino. Our blackjack strategy guides are a great place to start. You gain valuable information about the remaining deck by. Card counting systems for Blackjack are compared here, along with their Card Values, Betting Correlation, Playing Efficiency, Insurance Correlation, Ease of Use and Type. Red Numbers indicate the index that the true count must meet to deviation from basic strategy `+` after the index number indicates the deviation happens at that true count and above `-` after the index number indicates the devation happens at the true count and below 0-indicates the deviation happens at any negative running countPlay Online Blackjack Now! For Real Money or Free. The progression strategy you will use depends upon being able to win multiple hands of blackjack in a row, and you can only expect to do that when you know what the count is. There's a lot more to counting cards in Blackjack than meets the eye. You would then multiply 4 x 4 to get 16 and divide it by 3 (a little over 5). 9% 42. Now that you know the value of the cards it’s time to count them. A player's action in a single-deck blackjack game when dealt the following pairs should be: 2-2: Split if the dealer shows 3-7, or else Hit. High-Low Point Values Step 2: Start with a "Running Count" of zero at the start of the deck/shoe. For example, card counters who use the popular Hi-Lo card-counting system will split tens vs. With a 3. Advantages of the True Count. It works by assigning a value of +1 to cards 2-6, a value of 0 to cards 7-9, and a value of -1 to cards 10-Ace. The app has 3 modes: Play, Train, and Simulate, all of which aid players in mastering basic blackjack strategy and card counting. The basic blackjack strategy involves various moves, such as standing when your hand value is 12–16 when the dealer has 2–6 and hitting if your hand is 12–16 when the dealer has 7–ace. Figuring out how many decks are in play is called blackjack deck estimation. Enter: the free blackjack strategy calculator we’ve built for you! This is pretty easy to use and learn from. This blackjack card counting technique works by assigning a value of either -1, 0 or 1 to each card dealt face up. That’s obviously good when the count is negative, but no. There are many more differences between the strategies than just the card values but we cannot cover them all. Here are the charts you need to memorize to get your blackjack strategy perfect. . $25). The Omega II blackjack strategy card counting uses a “balanced” approach with zero as the base. To make it as simple as possible to count cards, put the cards in the deck into three groups and assign them the following values:. Since the game exists over many hands, learning to develop a strategy of betting and alternate between a pattern and breaking your own pattern is a good way to win money in the long haul. Hi-lo Card Counting Strategy. In fact, there is a very simple chart that summarizes the strategy in a very straightforward and clear way. Ease of use is rated from 1 (hardest) to 10. Arguably, it’s effective only in estimating the soundness of the “insurance” and “even money” side bets. Except, a "blackjack" is the highest hand. They then use this knowledge to modify their bets and playing styles. He wrote in detail about the strategy in his most famous book called "Million Dollar Blackjack". The card removed is indicated in the image. Basic strategy, card counting , and a betting progression all work hand in hand to help you become successful at playing blackjack. It is mathematically established that each one-unit increase in the true count yields a half-a-percent increase in the player’s advantage. Oscar’s System – Blackjack Betting Strategies. Simple concepts through advanced techniques are examined. To display the previous card, click on the left pile. This means that when you first sit down at a blackjack table, the count is 0. Card count and values. If the strategy says to double but you’re not allowed, then hit, except you should stand with a soft 18. And now, look at those same indexes shown in the traditional way (this is the same table shown earlier): 12 vs 2: +3. Introduction. Keep track of your wins. From here, you count every card that comes out of the shoe. The numbers going horizontally at the top of the chart. 5% and help you increase your expected value (EV). The blackjack Illustrious 18 chart was created by famous gaming mathematician and author Donald. 4. Like the name of the system itself, you need to count halves. The chances of landing a low value card if you hit are minimal. Learn Blackjack with Michael Shackleford ; Blackjack Rules, Part 1 ;. As well as any other system, Hi-Opt 1 is based on blackjack strategies and the principle of adding/subtracting points where your move will depend on the final result of your count. Once you know the basics, it’s time to learn more. Hit 12 vs 5 at -3 or lower. Alternative Strategy Card – Dealer Hits on Soft-17. Players - 1-7 seats, each seat can use a different playing & betting strategy. He is the author of the Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide, and Blackjack: Take The Money and Run. shuffling the cards). This involves dividing the count by the number of decks still in play. When losing, you should keep betting one unit at a time, trying to recuperate your losses steadily. Ideally, card counting is not the same as cheating. Self-practice is the simplest and easiest way of practicing the technique of blackjack card counting. They are as follows: Assign each card a value based on the plus-minus count. In 1980 blackjack expert Leon Dubey published a book called No Need to Count in which he promotes a strategy for winning at blackjack which is much different from most blackjack books, which are almost exclusively about basic strategy or card counting. The major aim in the construction of these tools is the accurate simulation of play in a live. This calculating strategy, known as card-counting, was made famous by the MIT Blackjack Team, a group of students from MIT, Harvard University, and Caltech, who for several decades starting in 1979, optimized card-counting and other techniques to successfully beat casinos at blackjack around the world — a story that later inspired the. So a card counter keeps a running. A fool-proof blackjack strategy or blackjack cheat sheet will always advise players to keep a mental tally of the cards dealt. Like most "ten-count" card counting systems, Thorp's Ten Count tracks the ratio of high cards to low cards in the deck by assigning each card a numeric value, which is then counted as each card is seen. When the count drops to a low number (+1, 0. The 10 Count system is a simple way of keeping track of the cards in a game of blackjack. How to. To summarise, a card counter will observe and tag each card in play - waiting for the deck to. Keep a running tally while the dealer draws cards from the deck, using the abovementioned values. All you need to do is keep track of 2 cards – Aces and Fives. RULES Decks: Double After Split: Surrender: Soft 17: This is our first blackjack game and trainer and I'm proud to finally add our version 2 with enhanced graphics and the ability to learn how to count cards to my website. In blackjack, or 21, high cards favour the gambler, low cards the casino. In this, card 5 is counted as +1. Number of Decks: Determine how many decks are in use at the particular game you are playing. The first step is to take a deck of cards and count through it, one at a time. program assigns a count of +1, 0, or -1, based on the value of the card, to every card dealt on the table (Hi-Lo count). If you are new to this variant, you’ll find the BestCasinos team’s carefully crafted. On top of the blackjack strategy charts above, here are a few additional rules to remember: Surrender if you have a 16 and the dealer is showing a 10. This strategy works for most types of tables that allow you to surrender. Actions that Bans Players from Casinos. I know that the rules of Spanish 21 say that the "envy bonus" is always $50, and the super bonus is $1,000, for bets of $5 to $25, or $5000, for bets of $25 or higher. And if you start over-betting in a short-sighted attempt to win back your money, you are going to risk losing more money, or even your entire bankroll. Omega II. 5, cards 3, 4 and 6 are +1, cards 2 and 7 are +0. The Revere Advanced Point Count is considered one of the more accurate, but also one of the more difficult, blackjack card counting systems. You can read about them on our basic blackjack strategy page. Card counting is a strategy used in blackjack to try to predict whether the next hand is likely to provide the player an edge or disadvantage over the dealer. The Hi-Lo system is the most popular and prominent card counting system that is also easy to learn and widely practiced by blackjack players in casinos. Single-Deck Blackjack Strategy – Rules, Charts, Tips & FAQ. When combined with basic strategy, card counting gives players a 1% advantage over the dealer in 21. Clearly. Blackjack: Play Like The Pros, by John Bukofsky. I’ve never understood why the Silver Fox system isn’t more popular. PBA is a Research Tool. Use our Blackjack Training Drills to master blackjack basic strategy and card counting: Our Basic Strategy Drill trains you at basic strategy so you never make a wrong playing decision. Always hit a hard 12 vs. As cards are revealed, keep adding or subtracting from the Running Count, according to the point system in step 1. You might decide that $25 is your unit, so your betting range is $25 to $100. The best way to improve your results is by using a optimal blackjack strategy as you play. Surrendering 15 sometimes vs a 10 is a sign of card counting (basic strategy says to do it always). This will help you in creating new associations with cards, essentially “learning the language” of card counting. 5% advantage against a basic strategy player. Then if your two cards and the dealer’s up card are a three of a kind, you’re paid 90 to 1. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands. Oscar’s System was proposed in the 1960’s in a book by mathematician Dr. US Players and Credit Card, BitCoin Deposits. In this, card 5 is counted as +1. Introduction Let me say loud and clear that card counting is hard and is not as rewarding as television and the movies make it out to be. 2 Policy Comparison between Q-Learning (left) and Reference Strategy Tables [7] (right) Table 1 Win rate after 20,000 games for each policy Policy State Mapping 1 State Mapping 2 (agent’shand) (agent’shand+dealer’supcard) Random Policy 28% 28% Value Iteration 41. 12 vs 3: +1. It requires that you bet both the 21+3 bet and the top three bet. With this lesson, I’m going to unwrap the veil of mystery which seems to surround the concept of card counting. The reKO Blackjack Strategy (99. A card counting system assigns point values (weights) to the cards. The time now is 05:04 PM. Those sections are hard hands, soft hands, pairs, and surrendering. Advanced Card Counting Strategy. Combining card counting and strategic actions gives you the best results. 1. Only advantage players should consider adopting betting systems. The most common method is the Hi-Lo system, where cards 2 to 6 are assigned a value of +1, cards 7 to 9 are assigned a value of 0, and cards 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace are assigned a value of -1. At this point, his or her running count is “plus-one” (i. The level of a card counting strategy refers to the number of values given to cards. For an essay on starting out as a card counter, see Card Counting 101. Method 2. [21]Learn to count cards: *Bonus Card Counting Content: this I explain. Players around the table can stand, hit, double down, split and surrender. Basic strategy is relatively simple, meaning that someone can pick it up and start playing without tons of practice. Memorizing blackjack basic. The basic strategy is adjusted based on the variant in order to produce the best results. , charts and tables). Beating Blackjack isn't nearly as hard as the movies make it out to be, but it's not as. A pair of 5’s doubles against dealer 2 through 9, otherwise hit. Great first purchase bonus. Factor in the following changes: Double 11 vs. 5 cards from any suit adding up to 21, payout offered is 3 to 2. Learn the rules and Wizard's Simple Strategy in this introductory video. When the count hits +2 or more, bet the maximum. 5%. . Standing on a hand that is 21 or lower, while the dealer goes over 21. When your cards total 11. 0. A definitive guide on side bets in Blackjack such as Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Lucky Ladies, Insurance, Double Down, etc. The most common card counting strategy is the hi. 77%) and lowering the house advantage. It is based. Advantages of CSM in Blackjack include: CSM blackjack means blackjack with at least 6-8 decks of cards. Blackjack Forum. If SUM = 0 then count is balanced! This table lists all blackjack card counting systems that are listed in The Encyclopedia of Blackjack (Twenty-One). Blackjack Strategy - The Basics To Card Counting Blackjack Strategy Blackjack is the world’s most popular casino game and is one of the top choices for online casino players. When using the "plus-minus count," each card has a value. Rank Value One of the ways casinos try to counteract card counting is by using multiple decks. 93–101). Oscar’s System – Blackjack Betting Strategies. Adjusting your strategy to account for the true count nets you an additional 0. The player keeps track of a running count and decides how much money to lay out for his initial bet according to the running count. When using blackjack basic strategy, the house edge could be closer to 2%, but it could get even worse. Cards 2 through 6 have a +1 count. If you are not sure, just ask the dealer. By adding up the values of the cards that are dealt, the player can determine whether the remaining deck is favorable for the player or the dealer. That's like 8 decks with 6:5 payouts for blackjack. The main difference between Spanish 21 compared to blackjack is the removal of all 10's in the decks. All 8s are 0, 9 is valued at -0. Blackjack card counting is often portrayed as a mysterious technique that only math geniuses can pull off. In both cases, an A stands for ace. As you would in the classic variation, you’ll need to be able to assess the probability of the cards with the dealer and gauge them against your own. Here you will discover that you don’t have to be a genius to keep track of all the cards in a six-deck shoe; you just have to know a few card-counter secrets. The Halves is one of the most complex and complicated card counting systems out there. The bottom line is that if you over. World’s Greatest Job: Life as a full-time blackjack pro, by Kevin Blackwood. Blackjack Table Rules New players may notice that online gambling sites and casinos have different rules and procedures for their blackjack games. The bottom line is that if you over. The other 6/10 card counters will hit some positive variance and never look back. Lucky combinations adding up to 21 for earning bonus payouts in blackjack tournament strategy include: Type 1. More complex systems have two levels (+1, +2, -1, -2) or more. The Card Counter’s Advantage in Multiple-Deck Blackjack. From Peter Griffin’s book The Theory of Blackjack [ qfit. If they show a 2, 3, or a 7 through ace, hit. If going through charts makes it hard for you to memorize those actions, we break down the basic blackjack strategy into a simple text format below. As you begin to play make sure to keep your basic strategy guide open on a separate window so you can refer to it quickly. 5. I wouldn’t recommend playing at this level of risk for long. The Hi-Low consists of assigning a point value of +1, 0, or -1 to every card dealt to the player. • Omega II assigns a worth of +2 to cards 4, 5 and 6, and the 10 and face cards a value of -2, where aces are worth 0. dealer's 9, 10 or Ace upcard. Learn a proper card counting system – To beat the house in Blackjack, you should master one or more systems like Hi-Lo or Speed Count. ”. The methodology of the KO card counting system is explained in the book Knock-Out Blackjack, written by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. Specifically, cards you do want to draw, and. Blackjack All-In-One Trainer is an advanced blackjack trainer app for basic strategy and card counting. 9 rating in the play store, it is an app that is high on the list of the best blackjack apps for enthusiasts. With a 3 to 2 payout, that same bet pays off at $150, which is much better. The team and its successors operated successfully from 1979 through the. Never split tens. ”. 1. If you decide to use the Hi-Opt II system, you will have to spare a bit more time to study the values used in this method of card counting. You can read our basic blackjack strategy page for more information. Cards 2 through 6 have a +1 count. A practical system for counting cards in. If the true count is one, for example, the house edge is the same as the players advantage. Turn over the cards one by one, adding up the values as you go. Blackjack 101 Play Perfect. The higher the count, the. Globally, blackjack plays account for 31% of all actions taken in casinos. If the dealer has less than 21, you win. The house edge under those rules is normally 0. Hi-Lo count is based on the following rules: +1: Cards from 2 to 6; 0: Cards from 7 to 9-1: Cards from 10 to ace; The Hi-Lo card counting strategy is known as a "balanced system" where the sum of all cards in a 52-card deck is 0. For example, normally you will hit a 12 against a 2. 5%. Here’s the A-5 card counting strategy: Start the count from zero. Blackjack Advanced Strategy Cards: View Instructions. You can read about them on our basic blackjack strategy page. Kevin has won over a million. Step 2: Counting Cards. All times are GMT -7. 2 through 10 count at face value, i. Spanish 21 Introduction. Basic strategy While there’s a lot of chance involved with Blackjack, you can optimize your chances of a successful round by factoring in the totals of your cards. Land-based and live casinos can do this by including extra decks. With payouts, odds, rules, etc. The High-Low count simply assigns a value to each card, the player then keeps a running count of what cards have been dealt. Memorize it perfectly! This is where the. Casino Vérité Blackjack software products by Norman Wattenberger for Windows PCs, and Android and Apple mobile devices, for card counting, basic strategy, shuffle tracking and Ace prediction are now mentioned in 29 books. 44% Pure) The KO Strategy is one of the very easiest Blackjack card counting strategies, contained in the book Knock-Out Blackjack--The Easiest Card Counting System Ever Devised by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. But, there are other strategies, such as card counting, that you can play at the same time to cut this edge down to 0. A 2% house edge with the typical strategy is actually pretty crappy blackjack rules. You need to surrender, if your hand is 15, the dealer's upcard is an Ace and your true count is +2 (in S17) or -1 (in H17). Blackjack card counting books generally provide a simple example, like a running count of +6 divided by three remaining decks yields a true count of +2 — and they leave it at that. The single-level Hi-Lo count, for example, assigns 2 – 6 as +1, 7 – 9. This is the easiest card counting system to learn and is generally recommended for blackjack players who just play here and there, on the side, and aren't full time players. Additional Basic Strategy. Thus, the game has changed to using more decks to prevent this strategy. Having a hand value equal to 21 from the first two cards dealt to the player.