How Difficult is Card Counting?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Here's a collection of resources for the curious beginner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWSYkHmjd9qGqck

[@JimMakosCom]

I remember 15 years ago when I was practicing card-counting for hours at home, it was a totally different experience when I counted cards in a real casino for the first time! Took me weeks before I comfortably sat down at a blackjack table for the first time, despite counting a deck of cards in less than 20 seconds at home. Nice video Colin!

[@russlehman2070]

I think a lot of books and courses overstate the value of being able to count really fast in practice. You don't need to be extremely fast to count a real game. You do, however, need to be able to keep the count while also tracking the total of your hand, making conversation with the dealer and other players, ordering or declining drinks, and all of the other distractions that go with playing blackjack. You have to build that little compartment in your mind that keeps that count no matter what else is going on, and speed-counting through a deck with no one else around, while a useful exercise for a beginner, doesn't really teach that skill. However, once you learn to do that, you will find it hard to sit down at a blackjack table and not count. Another vital skill, that some books do cover, is counting pairs of cards. You need to be able to evaluate a two card hand quickly. A lot of hands will be a high and a low and therefore zero, so you ignore them and count the ones or twos, plus or minus.

[@axlrose9054]

Is it hard?

[@JimMakosCom]

@@russlehman2070 these are all very true! The most common question to throw me off the count is "what time is it?" Even if I don't answer, just hearing someone else say "eight fifteen" might do the trick.

[@JimMakosCom]

@@axlrose9054 everything is hard until you master it, in which case you feel you haven't accomplished much!

[@axlrose9054]

@@JimMakosCom haha thanks, Yea i watched a video on the high low count system and i was so lost but i want to learn this so ima keep trying, but whats the most you won at casinos ?

[@danieljoseph3462]

"Lonely grind". I'm right there. lol. Haven't met anyone at a table that even knows how to play a 12 or 16 much less a soft 18 and I'm still red chipping due to a low bankroll $700 (started with $200 and have won $1500 overall). It would be really nice to have even one fellow counter as a friend. I'm at the least fortunate enough to have a fiancé that understands the math and supports the endeavor even if she doesn't want to play herself. :D

[@Gamenetreviews]

How did the counting work out for you?

[@neillcampbell3138]

I’ve been watching your videos and have started to memorize basic strategy. I am reminded of the quote: Success is a function of persistence and doggedness and the willingness to work hard for twenty-two minutes to make sense of something that most people would give up on after thirty seconds. Malcolm Gladwell

[@FilthyFingers42]

Colin produces some of the best card counting content ever! Keep up the great work!

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Thanks man!

[@ChristmasEve777]

@@Blackjackapprenticeship Colin, but the only thing you said wrong is that you need perfect card counting skills to not lose. I know a non-perfect card counter who is just barely above breaking even over time. There is a LITTLE bit of leeway but not much. Playing your game perfectly, however, is strongly encouraged because it maximizes your profits.

[@jerryp6001]

5:37 "...just enough to have false confidence" Wow! Powerful statement

[@MondoLeStraka]

Believe me, you practice, practice, practice and by the way, you also have to practice.

[@MondoLeStraka]

Jon Hirschtick.

[@jorgedominguez2256]

Mondo LeStraka how do i practice

[@MondoLeStraka]

I can send you something through PMs.

[@jorgedominguez2256]

Mondo LeStraka alright do you want an email address or ?

[@cgasucks]

I can count down a deck from 2 mins when I started 7 weeks ago and now can do it in 25 sec. Lots and lots of practice. Count down a deck while watching something distracting like TV or a Netflix movie or talking on the phone...it really helps. To see if you're on the right path to card counting go to your local casino find the fastest blackjack dealer there and backcount that table (the more players the better) and see if you can keep up with him/her.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

That's what I do. Take 2-4 hands worth of buy in with me (roughly $100), back count a crowded table with a stupid fast dealer, see if I can keep up, and if I can, get in, the closer to last base the better. If I kept up with the count properly and the true count is really good, I'll usually win one or two hands. Shuffle tracking is also a big deal, especially with 6 or 8 deck shoes. Unless you shuffle track, your winning percentage in blackjack will never rise above 55% or so even if you are counting, using perfect basic and index strategy.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

Is it? I haven't been in the discord lately so I wouldn't know...

[@wonderfullife737]

Yes learning how to count cards took me like an hour. It's all simple all you do is add or subtract. It's being perfect that takes time. I have been counting cards it has been a two weeks I discovered this website and. and I am frustrated it's so hard to get perfect. I would say it would take me a few months, I am better then before :). It's same as riding bycycle when you were a kid, I trust the process because anybody can master any skill if given time and effort. Frustration is good thing, it means your brain is adapting

[@cgasucks]

wonderfullife Very true. Your brain will get used to card counting eventually....even subconsciously.

[@ardamoin3859]

Name of the website?

[@TheArmchairrocker]

The Russians have a saying: повтерения мать учения Which translates to repetition is the mother of study. In Russian, it rhymes so it sounds a lot better.

[@josephsawyer9714]

Programmer/IT guy here. I can safely say that learning about technology/coding is a lot easier than counting.........It's taken me four months to learn the Wong Halves system perfectly. Colin, have I wasted four months learning the Wong Halves system?

[@cgasucks]

Most likely as Colin and Ben used the Hi-Lo to make their money.

[@laloeastside9669]

I don't think you have. Wongs halves is a little more precise than Hi-Lo, and although the advantage is slight, it's worth it if you can master it. It's a great system to use in double deck games. So good job in my opinion. I would keep at it and get even better.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Haha. I don't know about "wasted." I'm sure you would have mastered Hi-Lo a LOT faster. But if you are perfect at Halves, you will get more EV/round than Hi-Lo. You can get my full opinion here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4HQoaGog9B6etU

[@josephsawyer9714]

Thanks Colin, i remember speaking to you via email actually about counting. I don't play blackjack often, as I'm better at poker, but I just want to be able to play with an edge I guess. I think the Hi Lo system is easy in terms of methodical calculations. I am able to count Hi Lo even when drunk or worse. Obviously Wong halves I can't do it drunk or even tired. I find the hardest thing about counting Hi Lo is not going overboard with betting, and not getting bored when the high counts don't come. Going to be honest here, I've gone from table minimum to 300 when the true count reaches +4 (something I've only seen once). I actually think I lost that hand as well.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

5:40 Yup, Colin is talking about me. Only I didn't hit him (or anyone else) up about it because I'm just doing this for fun and to back count, get into a table, see if I can win a few hands in a row, then leave. I have no idea how Colin and the teams do it where you play several thousands of hands.

[@GardenHood]

Man we need you back sir Colin

[@notJafar]

I'm relatively new to this channel. I like it.

[@brianbaker2884]

I went to Casino's just to practice basic strategy and started getting heat just for winning by luck. they came to my table and started raising the minimum bets. I was only up 277.

[@wealthelife]

Sorry, that ain't heat. If they suspected AP they would limit you to only being able to make minimum bets (so you can't increase bet when there is a high true count), or would reduce deck penetration. Casinos increase the min bet when the tables get more active (they can afford to turn away people wanting to bet $5 a hand if there are enough people around that are willing to play $25 a hand). Higher min bet will increase casino profits if the table is full of gamblers (as the fixed cost eg dealer salary, gets smaller relative to the table turnover), but would actually decrease the casino profits if there was an AP at the table.

[@RogueReflections]

Dude... I've watched the movie Rain Man at least 27 times. I'm going to Las Vegas!!!

[@sterlingsilver2343]

Practice the skills. But at the end of the day it’s all about being composed. Card counting is just a weapon it’s up to you how you use it.

[@blake99368]

I love that shirt!!! I need to find one and buy it, now!

[@christopherhuerta3154]

It's not just math it's alot like money management knowing when to quit being fully dedicated to it.

[@francky5865]

I think it should be how effective it is to earn money by counting cards

[@Loudes012]

Been card counting on my own more then a year. Haven't made significant wins but it is a profitable game. Here's the thing,even if you have the correct running count and calculate the true count, you still can lose. I have won more in negative counts.Seems like luck plays a great deal in winning. I don't know if this game is for me, to make money I should say, but great video man.Very insightful! It's still a very fun game to practice and I can figure out using my own way, if I was accurate in the running count when I practice on a six deck shoe, everything should come back to a count of "zero".

[@jerryp6001]

Same here. There are a lot of holes in my game...but when count was high ..and not just slightly, but significantly...I'd bet heavier. The count being high ..and me getting bigger....made me run through my bank roll so fast. More losses..it feels...when count high, I bet more, and have more out there to lose. And I lost it. Now...my pov is more...and I heard Colin say it...gonna lose more hands than win...we don't want to play blackjack...we want to play hands of higher count when odds are in our favor. Really changed my perception...and...I also play to hit blackjack. I play to split. I play to double. Winning or losing regular hands ..fine with losing those. I'm here for splits doubles and blackjacks. He also said...min bet is the rent we pay for being at the table. I like it

[@JohnsonnPlays]

Do you recommend practicing counting on online live casinos?

[@jonabitstream]

The one thing better than earning money as a card counter is earning money as a teacher of card counting.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

I love what I do! - Colin

[@jonabitstream]

Blackjack Apprenticeship . . . AND it’s so much easier!

[@russlehman2070]

After all the casinos know who you are and won't let you play, what else are you going to do?

[@Jo2lentino1981]

What is the best way to bet big amount is it high negative numbers or positive in the deck of cards?

[@mscalzo48]

Just returned in April 2022 from Vegas. Blackjack had been tightened up for the majority of casinos. Payout is 6/5 and all tables are equipped with card shuffling machines. Counting is not possible. Basic strategy is your only friend.

[@ryanhendrix5914]

I only follow basic chart,Maybe one day ill pick up how youll count.Great job!

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Thanks!

[@edwinhesketh9720]

Hi Colin, of course your channel is popular and probably attracts a global audience, do you know of any people like yourself in North West England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 that I could contact and learn from as that’s where I live so would be good to have some local contacts when learning how to card count etc

[@user-yo6ju2xc6y]

Τι νόημα έχει να θυμάσαι τα φύλλα που πέρασαν; Αυτό αφορά τα παιχνίδια που ήδη έγιναν Τι χρήσιμο έχει αυτό για τα επόμενα;

[@lanterna1602]

Is it possible to mack 30k in a year

[@wonderfullife737]

I used to think only math genius can count cards, now I know it's all BS, anybody can do it if given enough time and effort

[@cgasucks]

wonderfullife True. Anyone can do it, but very few are willing to put the work to become successful.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

That's right. Practice, memorization, and crackerjack attention to detail is all you need. Also you should try to notice patterns. If the 5th card out of the shoe has been 2-6 for the last 5 hands, what would that tell you? I wish Colin would say some stuff about shuffle tracking.

[@cjirving6169]

Great vid. How is Ben these days?

[@venkatachaitanya3509]

Y we don't play in online casino.. Can you please explain this??

[@russlehman2070]

Most online blackjack games are shuffled every hand, so card counting is useless and there's no way to get an advantage on the game.

[@eligarlong2209]

I’m surprised you didn’t pitch your app for training.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Haha. "Train with our iOS App or become a Member at BlackjackApprenticeship.com to train with our full suite of Blackjack Training Drills!" - Colin from BJA

[@IB14GDTMS1]

What do you value the bury card?

[@wealthelife]

Do you mean 'burn card'? It is part of the undealt/unseen deck - so just reduces the penetration a tiny amount. And it goes into the discards, so automatically gets included in the true count calculation.

[@GoldenGate003]

done.

[@jlrage9293]

Went to casino tonight. Played 25 min bet double deck w split on 10/11 only no double after split. Started w 600 first few hands ok. After that hands were 12 vs 10 (hit and bust with count of -2) 17 vs 18, 19 vs 20. Couldnt do anything right. Lost 600. Suggestions. Sometimes cards just dont fall in your favor.

[@DerMichael]

Just because you lost doesn't mean you didn't do anything right. Sometimes you still get unlucky. That's why you need a big enough bankroll (or small enough bets) to play enough hands/shoes to get positive outcomes. I don't know how many hands one has to play to have a 90% probability to be positive, but I think 25 minutes is just too few. Other than that, as you know, once you always make perfect descisions based on basic strategy and the (correct) true count, you can't improve much on that side. At the same time, as long as your counting or your basic strategy is not perfect, you should work on that before anything else. Good luck.

[@russlehman2070]

Unless it's dealt pretty deep, that's not a very good game with the doubling rules. With a 25 minimum, your max bet should be $200 or $250, so $600 isn't much at all. If losing $600 is a big deal for you, then you definitely need to find a smaller game (even if you have to play 6 deck shoes). I would also look for better rules. I don't know what's available in your area, but I wouldn't play that game unless it was 1. deeply dealt 2. Everything else in the area is worse. Card counting doesn't guarantee a win every time. It gives you a rather small edge on a very volatile game, and as it requires you to make big bets, which don't come anywhere close to winning all the time.

[@jerryp6001]

​@@russlehman2070wow. What a comment. I'm serious You said a whole bunch that is really really good stuff. May have gone over my head before

[@LifeWithRilla]

I'm a Software Engineer with time on my hand about to start van living. Screw it, why not, lol.

[@rubenkeala7415]

Is there too late of an age to start

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

It's less about age and more about being able to master the skills. My advice is to see if you can memorize the Basic Strategy chart and get accurate with our running count drill. Both are free drills on the website: www.blackjackapprenticeship.com/blackjack-training-drills/

[@JeffMartinez648]

This is so true,,, from my personal experience, I started learning on June 1, 2023, committed to learning & practicing repetitively everyday & in 2-1/2 months I can barely keep the hi/lo count on dealing two decks. One card in the running count is the difference between betting and not betting, & I’m not a gambler, I only invest in a sure thing. Take your time to be perfect, perfect practice makes perfect, period. Don’t give your hard earned money to the rich casinos by gambling, takes theirs with a perfect strategy. GOD bless.

[@wonderfullife737]

Can I start card counting career with 2000 bankroll??

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

I started with $2,000. So yeah, it can be done. But you will have to be very patient and be ok starting slowly. And again, perfect skills come first.

[@wonderfullife737]

Blackjack Apprenticeship thanks for reply. What is the maximum I can bet with that bankroll?

[@cgasucks]

Ben said on Holy Rollers he started with $800.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

You can use as little as $100 if you want. If you are good at back counting, you can turn $50 into $100 easily. Just get in when you see the count go sky high, leave the table when it evens out.

[@wonderfullife737]

Sir Joelsuf that sounds great idea. But is it allowed to stand there, not playing?? Won't they be suspicious

[@chuckzamzow]

Nobody taught Wilbur and Orville Wright how to fly a plane and they apparently did just fine.

[@garysharp849]

Colin with a 51 percent edge there are lots of card counters that lose because they dont have the bankroll to handle the losses and some people just are not lucky. A 51 percent edge is not much and of you dont have some kind of luck on your side you wont win. I know people that had better luck than card counters and I have seen plenty of card counters lose their shirt when a was a dealer and pit boss, a lot of times we would allow counters because they kept losing lol

[@michamin1739]

Is it impossible to card count at online casino?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

It is not impossible, but it is not really worth your time. I've got a video coming out in the next few weeks that will break down the math.

[@NinjarioPicmin]

@@Blackjackapprenticeship i get all things you are saying in the video about online casinos, but it is basically my only choice because in my country there are like no casinos with blackjack... -.- :(

[@TazLitty]

Hey all certified card dealers I’m looking forward for this job but I’m going to start school soon what is your biggest tip$$!!

[@RightURKen7]

Already said. Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. And then when you think you're ready you're not. You need some more practice.

[@TazLitty]

American Jedi lol I was talking about money tips like how much has a player give you like big tip

[@RightURKen7]

Yeah I obviously thought you said "card counters"Since that's what the video is about.

[@leavingsoonduetocensorship3453]

This is really stupid to even talk about anymore because it is a guarantee they have a camera with a computer right there telling them the moment you start playing like a card counter and your 100s of hours of practice will result in 1 hour at 1 casino before your face is plastered at every one of em and you just spent hundreds of hours learning to make a few measly bucks

[@RonghuiMrYe]

Also you need some luck too.

[@TheCladi8or]

The way I do it it WAAAAAAAY easier

[@pradaflipflops2387]

I would love to join the program right now and dedicate my time to it but 250$ is something I can't afford ...probably for awhile.

[@xXtrin1tyXx]

The thing about counting cards is that most of the time (95% of the time), ALL the tables are going to be either super negative, which is super bad or just going to be a bit negative or positive which gives you no more chance of winning.

[@wonderfullife737]

qual1ty how can you say that?? that doesn't make sense because both high cards and low cards are equal in deck. It is as much possible to be super positive as it is to be super negative

[@laloeastside9669]

+qual1ty you have no idea what you're talking about. The count is gonna be between -1 and 2 about 48% of the time. The rest of it is distrituted on the normal curve between counts lower or higher. But that's what wonging is for, so you never play counts lower than a -1. Sorry, you're math is way off. And if you're playing at tables where the count is that bad higher than 50% of the time, you're probably playing at a casino that's cheating, or you're playing spanish 21.

[@SirJoelsuf1]

Um what? I've seen running counts get as high as 26, with only two decks left in the shoe. About half the time it will get to about 7 or 8 when the shoe has 2 decks left. And this is on a 6 deck shoe that isn't hand shuffled. Are you sure you aren't playing Spanish 21? Cuz in Spanish 21 the counts get stupid bad.