How To Count Cards: Take Back the Edge at Blackjack

[@adammtroutman]

One of the hardest parts for me is the deck estimation

[@bruce4139]

Same

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Just practice and practice. It's why we have a whole deck estimation drill our members can use and run through until they're on point.

[@bruce4139]

@Blackjackapprenticeship a casino around me actually uses 8 deck discard trays but only plays with 6 decks and that makes my deck estimation difficult. (Also colin would you be able to put in a drill where you estimate how many cards are in as oppose to figuring out the TC please?)

[@connorgillispie7128]

So the only part that’s hard? 😂

[@115switch]

Yes 100% because i overthink it because im not sure and over calculate thus confusing myself =/

[@lnick9428]

Played back in the late 1970's with single deck in Vegas. Back then as I remember the card counting book I read assigned plus 2 to non 10's and minus 1 to 10's. Anytime the count got to plus 4 and higher it was an advantage to the player. We were there on vacation and never played high stakes. High for us though. lol

[@JoelTickner]

Hey, I am a Card counter in Canada. at most of the casinos that I play at in my area there is a rule that you can early surrender on any card but a dealers ace, I believe the only way this would change basic strategy is surrender 14 and a pair of 8s vs a dealer ten but not 100%. I was hoping someone with a bit more experience could tell me how the ES10 rule would effect basic strategy and what the playing deviations are for early surrender. Been trying to get an answer on this for a while but haven’t been able to find anything online. Thanks!

[@JoelTickner]

@blackjackapprentice if you could give an answer to this that would be greatly appreciated!!

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

It would be too long to list every deviation here but we have the full ENHC surrender chart in the members part of our website. For example S17 ENHC 14 surrenders vs 10 (TC -1 and above) & always vs Ace. There are a lot of deviations for ENHC surrender so def check out the full chart on the website.

[@JoelTickner]

@@BlackjackapprenticeshipHey thanks a lot for getting back to me. Will definitely checkout your website. It’s not European style BJ because if the dealer pulls a BJ then you will only lose your original bet and keep double and split bets. But definitely good to know that 14 v 10 is for sure a surrender.

[@JoelTickner]

@@Blackjackapprenticeship Hey thanks so much for getting back to me. I’ll definitely checkout your website. Rules of the game are H17, DAS, ES10 and the dealer doesn’t take a whole card but if they pull a black jack players will only lose their original bet.

[@JoelTickner]

Conditions pretty good here with only a .33 house edge

[@PeterMoore-q5k]

Just got back from Vegas. You'll be proud to know I refused to play any 6-5 and even thanked the pit boss at PH for having several $25 3:2 tables.

[@gethookednub1163]

Hello Colin, my group of friends and I are starting to practice counting cards to beat blackjack in Spain but all casinos we see have CSM. Do you know a forum or a list that shows what casinos don't have CSM?

[@nicholi2789]

You might try contacting Steven Bridges directly. He has done some Europe trips. There isn’t a directory like the casino 411 or CBJN we have for the states. If you are a member of the BJA forum you could probably get some help there as well.

[@ak74brass41]

Do dealers have “tells” when they have blackjack and offer insurance? It seems like they know, before they scan, when playing online. Is it like that live?

[@fatezera]

Hey Colin, are the chip photos at 0:03 stock photos or from BJA members

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Those are all real photos from our members.

[@harryr3989]

Hey Mr Jones, your app on Android isn't keeping proper count. For awhile now i thought it was me, but it got to the point that I knew it wasn't me. I finally started screen recording while i played, and it turns out i was right. I have the video. I was playing soft totals, but i believe its off on regular play also. I always hide the count but look at it from time to time. The count was -6 and then the next hand came and it was, one set of cards that cancelled out and three face cards. Then when i looked again it went to -3 when it should have been -9. I appreciate your videos and the apps you provided, but if you could look into that that would be great. Thanks.

[@yuvisingh9320]

so where do we learn how much to bet when we have a specific card count?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Check out our Free Mini Course: www.blackjackapprenticeship.com/card-counting-mini-course-opt-in/

[@Andre-j8f7t]

I can’t wait to be a member I truly need help lol I’m always on a roller coaster knowing more will save me see the program by march hopefully

[@triforcewielder8500]

Is this a reuplad?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Had to swap out a background music track

[@FreezeDriedIceCreamPrepper]

I caught that, too. But I'm totally watching it again, anyways. The more practice and repeat, the better!!

[@kaiyili4938]

Hello colin, on the H17 deviation chart, when the hard total is 13 and dealer is showing 2, there is a ‘-’ before the true count 1, so it’s -1-, could you elaborate more what does it mean when you have the ‘-‘ before the index number?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

- after the index number indicates the devation happens at the true count and below. Basic Strategy 13 vs 2 is a stay so at True -1 and below it would be a hit.

[@mikefetters6674]

So obviously the best deviations for single deck will be different than a shoe game, but can you still follow the deviations on your deviation chart for single deck and generate good EV? Or do you think the difference is substantial?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Yes you’ll still generate good EV one of the more valuable deviations for single deck is taking insurance at a True 1.5 and above. You can find that on our H17 Expanded Deviation chart.

[@mikefetters6674]

@ oh interesting, I had no idea! Thank you!

[@BingTheGallant]

Silly question so don't tease me, but how do you guys keep the running count in your head when adding up the cards to determine your hand total? I know basic strategy but I still have to add my hand together for some hands to determine the right play.

[@AntStoriesYT]

Hi keeping running count in your head is hard but if you play on a online casino i’ve made a program on python that calculates true count running count and keeps track of it if you are interested i am selling source code for very cheap

[@nicholi2789]

Practice practice practice. Really the only way. To be a truly proficient counter you have to be able to keep the count absolutely mindlessly. It will come with time. Just keep practicing

[@barnescycle]

I live 2hrs from a casino in north carolina, I'd be happy to win 1000 a week for as long as possible if possible. What would be the best strategy to win the most money over the long haul?

[@RealAnthonyJones]

Spending that extra 5 hours a day driving uber instead.

[@barnescycle]

@RealAnthonyJones your probably correct. I'd just like to beat the system out of some bucks if possible but it's probably not

[@lore3334]

My local casino offer a strange side bet where you can bet on the outcome of the dealer from 17 to 26 including 21 and 21 blackjack. They pay blackjack 19:1 and in normal conditions you have 1 in 21 chance to hit it but with a true count of 3+ it happens every 17 times. Do you think this could be a good strategy? Since in 100 bets you are expected to win 30% of the total amount of your bets

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Have you seen our video on beatable side bets? We don’t cover the exact one you’re describing but it will give you a guideline on how to attack it. Always get the math verified before you play. Even a slight pay table difference can drastically affect your edge: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmGYqJqOh85mnpYsi=GL6HA1jDeNT19nb1

[@lore3334]

@Blackjackapprenticeship i have already watched that video, but i didn't understand what you mean by a slight pay table difference. In this casino the rules are the europeans one, with 6 decks and no shuffling machines

[@nigglewiggle4214]

Is there a correction somewhere in the video?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

No correction had to swap out a background music track

[@barnescycle]

But when the deck is full of low cards I'd hit when the book says stay, depending on the number im delt ect. Keep in mind im new to actually trying this. I can count on expert level on the app 8/10 the last 2 stack numbers are hard for me

[@michaelmurdaca9615]

How do I know how many decks are left in the shoe?...

[@ElGalloGg]

Never played black jack at table How do you keep your eyes on all the cards And add& Subtract so fast/ Withoutg getting caught looking at others cards without the pit boss looking and you and getting suspicious

[@persistantcontender8528]

What's the difference in the last video

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

No difference just had to swap out a background music track

[@Lybrel]

So good he had to triple re-upload 🎉

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Only a double! We're perfect counters, but not always perfect with YT

[@b.m.4066]

Didn't I just watch this a day or two ago?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Sorry had to swap out a background music track that had an old license.

[@LazyNinjass]

Why is this guy re uploading

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

Sorry had to remove a background music track and re-upload

[@LazyNinjass]

@ ok got ya. I will like again.

[@pauldalnoky6055]

I lose track wgen the count is high and the bets too.

[@robertpratt6664]

I’d like to start a sponsorship program. Could you help me do that.

[@charismacolada9846]

How do you even keep track of that😂

[@triforcewielder8500]

Feels like I'm having deja Vu...

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

That's on us, we had to remove a background music track and re-upload

[@triforcewielder8500]

@ Thank you for the update! I'll watch it over and over regardless, I've been playing bacarat and blackjack for the last few weeks and want to learn how to count cards

[@davidsmith3382]

Uploaded 39 seconds ago!

[@andrewskiljan5423]

I think I watched this yesterday thought right?

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

That's on us, we had to remove a background music track and re-upload

[@MrShanester117]

This guy made this EXACT same video 6 years ago

[@Snowball_Earth]

This is all fun & games if you're an American. What if you live in a country where they use an automatic re-shuffling 6-deck shoe putting the cards straight back in after 1 round. Aka: you never run through a shoe and the cards are always random. Makes counting utterly useless.

[@viniciusreno8516]

Wait, dejavu

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

That's on us, we had to remove a background music track and re-upload

[@Depressed1818guy]

Sir I follow your all guidance but still I am down 2000$ please help me I am in huge trouble I am from poor family in india I can't afford to lose I didn't think if I lose then what happen I want help I know you can't do it this but still having some percentage chances you can help me😢

[@enderlovesajane]

Third

[@JEDmovies1]

First

[@arte9855]

I don't count... really who could possibly count into a 6 card shoe.

[@monkeySkulls]

if you are asking that question, you have absolutely no idea about anything about counting cards. you count a 100 deck shoe the same as 1 deck.

[@mrmr314]

You can't count the cards because 1/. you don't know how many decks they're using, 2/. how often they are changing the decks and 3/. even if they tell you it's a four or eight deck or whatever table ... is it really? You're relying on their honesty when the entire business is designed to steal your money. This guy is full of shit. If he was so flash he wouldn't be looking to get subs revenue out of KZbin, he'd be a squillioinaire from counting cards. Go get a job digging ditches or something.

[@StealthSecrecy]

You can literally just look at the shoe and see how many decks they are using. If you can't tell that it's different than what they say then you won't be able to succeed at counting in the first place. The industry is also pretty well regulated in most places and casinos can't just blatantly cheat. They also don't need to, they already have the edge and people are still willing to play those games.

[@monkeySkulls]

1. you absolutely know how many decks they are using. 2. changing the decks? you have never looked at a casino table in your life. you absolutely know exactly when they are changing decks. 3. again, you can literally see all of the cards spread out in the table before they shuffle. Can't trust the casino? You can't give me one reason that a casino would cheat and risk their entire gaming license, when they already have a game where they have an edge. sure, you can say they want to make more money. but they don't need to. running a blackjack table is a ridiculously profitable business. The casino's honesty and stealing money? again, their games are designed for them to win. A player knows that going in. A player has access to all of the math that verifies everything. So is the casino actually stealing money? I don't think so, players are simply giving away their money in exchange for the dopamine Rush and excitement of a win here and there. The casino knows that the player is going to give back the money that they want anyway. 4. The way I look at things actually aligns with what you're saying about the guy in the video to a point. for some reason I always watch a bunch of these videos around the same time of beer.lol. So over the last couple years of watching a bunch of these videos, he has explained why he doesn't count cards anymore. My personal experience, I used to have a career where I did my hobby and made my living doing it. I made very good money, got to travel a lot, etc... I quit doing the job/hobby because it simply stopped exciting me. So it's highly possible that somebody could get burned out working as card counter and a casino. Not to mention that the casino environment really can take a toll on you in general.

[@RA-dq4ro]

First