When the little known professor of mathematics, Edward Thorpe, wrote his now classic book, Beat the Dealer, the science of blackjack card counting was officially born.

So what is blackjack card counting and why does it work? We will look at blackjack card counting here and a method any player will find easily to apply and win consistently.

Blackjack card counting & how to beat the dealer

Professor Thorpe proved that if you can follow what cards that have been played; you can also determine what cards were left in the deck.

Having this knowledge can guide a player on how he should play his hand to take advantage of the odds.

If the player could determine that there were more cards left that favored himself (rather than the dealer), the player had an advantage and could raise the bet size to capitalize on his advantage.

In blackjack card counting low cards favor the dealer and high cards favor the player.

Why?

Because the low cards help the dealer to make winning totals on his hands when he must hit (this means when he has a 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 total on his first two cards, the rules say he must draw a card).

High cards in blackjack card counting favor the player not only because they may bust the dealer when he hits stiffs, but because both tens and Aces mean blackjacks for the player.

Probability the key to blackjack card counting

In blackjack card counting you are not required to count the numbers of each of the individual cards to get an advantage over the casino.

All you need to know is when the deck is rich or poor in high cards.

Keep the following in mind:

Blackjack card counters do NOT memorize each card dealt.

Blackjack card counting will not tell you what card is coming next.

Card counting is simply a probability theory that can turn the odds in the players favor over the long-term and this was the fact that Thorpe explored in Beat The Dealer

How to count cards

All blackjack card counting methods are based upon blackjack basic strategy, this is easy to learn and until you do, there are pre printed cards on the net free.

blackjack card counting the hi - low system

One very popular method of blackjack card counting is called the Hi-Low System.

Here you will give a value of +1, 0, or -1 to all the cards dealt to all players and the dealer.

Aces and 10-point cards are assigned a value of -1. The number cards of 7, 8, 9 each count as 0. The number cards of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 each count as +1.

So, as the cards are dealt, you keep a running total. The higher the + total, the deck will favor the player.

A player can then increase their bets to take advantage of better odds.

If the total is around the zero mark, nether the player or the dealer has the advantage. Keep the bets in the average zone.

When the total enters the (minus) range, the deck favors the dealer and you need to be cautious with your bets.

The logic of blackjack card counting also says the more cards that are dealt, the more accurate your card counting will be.

Card counting and multiple decks

The casinos also know the above, so they implemented a multiple decks. While blackjack card counting still works it is better to play at a casino that uses less decks as the odds are better. If multiple decks are played this is how you count.

If you know there are six decks used, and start counting, notice also the used cards and divide it by the decks remaining in the shoe.

If your total is +4 for example, and there are 4 decks left, divide 4 by 4 and you have +1 as youre total.

Keep an eye on the running count

You also must remember there is a running total and true total A running total is the total regardless of the amount of decks used, and a true total is the amount achieved after dividing the running total by the number of decks.

Remember, anything in the + range will be to your favor. Any total in the minus range will favor the dealer.

With practice you will soon get the hang of blackjack card counting, and start winning!

You will be able to bet heavily when the odds are in your favor, but also keep in mind that as blackjack card counting is not probability theory and you have to play it for the longer term.

Short term results can vary but you can win big longer term and thats the aim of blackjack card counting!