Card counting is a strategy that can be applied to the card game of casino blackjack, commonly known as “twenty-one”. There are many different tactics and methods used to count cards, and some have developed such skill and developed such expertise in the strategy that they actually consider card counting to be their profession; it has proven so successful for them that they are able to earn a sufficient income simply from casino card games. However, starting as a card counter is an incredibly difficult process, and it has been estimated that a beginner must set aside at least twenty hours simply to become proficient in the fundamental basic strategy officially recognized as basic card counting strategy.
The basic principle of card counting is that by watching the movement of cards in a game of blackjack, a player can judge the best times to increase their bets and thus improve the extent of their winnings. Card counting is a common feature of Hollywood films, with the underdog winning hundreds of thousands of dollars from major casino companies. In reality, card counting does not increase the probability of winning to this extent, but it certainly improves the black player’s position with the house. Card counting allows the player to track the ratio of higher value cards to lower value cards (lower value cards, which are usually considered to be under five).
This ratio is important because it is the higher value cards that are more beneficial to the player and place them in a more advantageous position, above the house or dealer. Lower value cards are better for the dealer simply because they have to hit them or draw another card if they have cards worth 17 or less. With lower value cards, they are less likely to go “bust” or have their cards total exceed 21. Once the player has established that the higher value cards are in a much larger number than the remaining cards, it is, of course, more likely that the dealer will go bust, so the player will increase their bet accordingly. Once you have learned the basic card counting principles, the most important step in the field counting process is really learning to cope with casino disturbances. It is one thing to learn card counting in the calm environment of your home and then immerse yourself in the real disturbances of a casino.
Understandably, there are a huge number of distractions, some from the dealer himself, and the general hustle and bustle that goes on around the blackjack table. Concentration is key when counting cards, as losing a single trick can mean you could lose a significant amount of money. Additionally, most professional card dealers recommend that a player act in concert with the match. Players who appear to know what they are doing, and who therefore come across as overconfident, are immediately recognizable and raise a lot of suspicion in the casino and gambling business. Of course, card counting requires attention 100% of the time for the entire duration of the game. This means that you have to create an idle chat with other players and the dealer while simultaneously practicing the skill of card counting. For this reason, it takes a professional player many years and many hours of practice to perfect their skills in card counting. Card Counting, therefore, requires an incredible amount of dedication if a player wants to reap the true benefits of this gambling strategy.
