Which Card Count System to Choose

Right after you decide to learn how to count cards you must decide which system to use, the choice depends upon each individual and his knowledge of the game. Many factors determine which system you should use, such as what type of games you play, your skill level, where you play, and how many hours you are playing.

Start with Easy Systems

There have been over 100 card counting systems published and you can buy blackjack simulation software to test them out and pick the one to stick to. Beginners are recommended to learn the most basic system first, either the Hi-Lo count or the KO count. These systems are the easiest to master. Practice this system thoroughly before moving on to more complex systems. Even though complicated systems could theoretically make more money per hour, you are exposed to higher error rate because of its complexity and can thus lose more.

Going form a simple one-level count to an "advanced" multi-level count produces marginal gain at best, especially in multi-deck games. Again we recommend you to start with Hi-Lo system. It is an extremely easy but also effective system to make money.

How to Asses Card Count

You can evaluate each Card Count System using certain criteria and statistics. These criteria are Playing Efficiency, Betting Correlation and Insurance Correlation. These are terms created by Peter Griffin, author of Theory of Blackjack.

Playing Efficiency

Playing Efficiency tells you how a card counting system handles changes in playing strategy. Playing efficiency plays role in one and two deck games.

Betting Correlation

Betting Correlation is the correlation between card values and the effect of card removal. Betting Correlation shows how well a card counting system predicts good betting situations and can approach 1.00 (100% correlation), this number is particularly important in six and eight deck blackjack.

Insurance Correlation

Insurance Correlation is the correlation between card point values and the value of cards in Insurance situation.

We present to your attention some useful tips that may help you to understand whether your Card Counting system is effective and learn to use it the best possible way. First, you should choose the system, if you are a novice, and then select the simplest ones. When the running count is negative just bet the minimum or take a break. When it is positive, make a bet in proportional to it. We strongly advise you to have sufficient practice at home before going to casinos or playing for money online. When you go to casinos, try to find a good blackjack game. A blackjack game is good if doubling on any two cards is allowed, Surrender is allowed, Shoe penetration is deep and Dealer draws to soft 17.

And remember, gambling is a risky business, so don’t gamble any money you can’t afford to lose.