Card Counting - The Tricks
Lesson 5: Card Counting - The Tricks
No, I'm not going to teach you card tricks here, but I am going to show
you a few interesting ways to practice the count you've decided to learn and
then teach you the methods we use to keep track of the cards as they're
played at the casino. Developing your speed at counting is an important
part of your training, because if you can't count quickly at home, you'll
never keep up with the dealer in a casino. Inaccurate counting can cause you
to give up any edge you have over the house and it's frustrating to
constantly "drop" the count when a faster dealer comes along.
At this point you should have the point values of each card memorized and
you might be doing some single-card countdowns of a deck. I'm sure
you're slow at it, but that's OK, since accuracy is the most important
factor right now. Speed will come as you work your way through the exercises
I'll show you this week.
This entire lesson that you are studying is very visual. You might want
to consider our
DVD or dual CD product, to enhance the learning experience.
Pairs Value Practice
Just as you learned the point value of each card according to the system you
wish to use, here you will learn the point value of different PAIRS of
cards. This is one of the real "tricks" of the card-counting business:
the ability to count cards in pairs. With enough practice, you'll see a
hand of Queen, Jack as both a "20" and an M-2. That capability will bring
speed to your game. Here are the values of pairs using the Hi / Lo method of
counting
Hand Net Point Value
-2 
-2
-1 
-1
0 
0
+1 
+1
+2 
+2
Important! Make sure you understand why each pair is valued as shown
and don't forget that if you're learning a different count, these pairs may
have different values.
If you understand everything above, then start going through a single deck
and turn two cards over at a time. DO NOT keep a running count, just recite
the value of each pair so you can get used to the adding and subtracting
which is required. Do this until you are totally familiar with the values of
all possible pairs. Then do it some more.
Laying down a good foundation here will allow you to build your speed
quickly later on, so this exercise is time well spent. For you
"Type-A's" out there, you might even push this to learning 3-card values.
That is a very helpful skill to have, particularly if you intend to play
one-on-one with a dealer, since you always see 3 cards at once; your initial
pair and the dealer's up card. Most of you will want to begin play at tables
with other players since things move slower that way, but like I said --
knowing the 3-card values won't hurt.
Pairs Countdown
Once again, remove three random cards from a single deck and set them aside.
(No peeking!) Now, turn over the cards two at a time, keep a running
(cumulative) count of the deck and check your accuracy by adding the cards
you set aside in at the end. This exercise will be your primary way of
practicing card counting.
Gradually, your speed will increase to a point where you will count as
quickly as you can turn over the cards. To go even faster, hold the deck
in your left hand, face up, and pull the cards -- two at a time -- off the
deck with your right hand. (Opposite if you're left-handed). Help the cards
along with your thumb and you'll start to build some speed. How fast is
"fast"? I go through a deck in 10.5 seconds, but all you need to keep up at
an average table with 2 or 3 other players is 20 seconds, though 15 is
better (and easy attained if you practice).
Counting at the Table
The method we use to count cards at the table is the real secret of this
business. For those games where the cards are dealt face up to the
players, the diagram below will show you how we do it. Games where the cards
are dealt face down (mostly single deck) require a different methodology and
we'll cover that next week.
Most dealers keep their up card face-down until each player has received
both cards. The procedure for counting at a table like that is to begin
counting when the player at "first base" receives his second card and to
count each player's pair as the cards are dealt. End your count with the
dealer's up card and then count each player's "hit" cards. Finally, count
the dealer's hole card and any cards the dealer may take as a hit.
You can see that this method of counting by pairs allows you to look more
natural at the table. Most people think counters track each card as it's
dealt, so supervisory people at casinos watch for players who follow every
cards as it comes out. My method allows you to look away from the table as
the first card is going down and then watch as each hand is made with the
second card. That looks a lot more natural, since most players are
interested in seeing what hands other players get.
Homework
Besides continuing with your basic strategy practice, start playing some "kitchen table" Blackjack. If you can con someone into dealing to you, great, but if you can't, just deal four player hands out in a manner they use at your favorite casino. Don't assume the role of the dealer; you want to get used to seeing all this from a player's perspective so deal one card to an imaginary first-base player, then to yourself and then to two other imaginary players on your left. Finish with a dealer's card face down across from you and then deal the second player's card. Begin counting as shown above and finish with a dealer's up card. Now, play ALL FOUR player's hands according to proper basic strategy and keep the count. Busy, huh? Don't worry, with practice it will all come to you. When you're done with the first round, do another and then riffle through the few remaining cards to verify that you've kept the count accurately.
This exercise will form the basis for all of our practice -- except speed
development -- from here on out. As you'll discover, this type of
"overload" makes it very easy to play and keep count at an actual casino
game; all you need to do there is just sit back, count and play.
