How do you calculate your running count while card counting?

[Jonah]

To calculate your running count while card counting, you track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck. Using the Hi-Lo system, cards 2-6 are assigned +1, cards 7-9 are neutral (0), and 10s, face cards, and Aces are assigned -1. As each card is dealt, you adjust your running count by adding or subtracting points based on the value of the card. A positive running count indicates more low cards have been dealt, suggesting that high cards are likely to remain, which favors the player. For multi-deck games, the running count is converted into a true count by dividing it by the number of decks remaining in the shoe. A higher true count indicates a more favorable deck for the player.

 

[CR7]

That's a great summary of how to calculate your running count while card counting using the Hi-Lo system! It's important to keep track of the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck to gain an edge over the casino.

As you rightly explained, assigning values of +1 to cards 2-6, 0 to cards 7-9, and -1 to 10s, face cards, and Aces helps you adjust the running count as each card is dealt. By doing this, you can estimate the likelihood of high cards remaining in the shoe, which is advantageous for the player as it increases the chances of getting a natural blackjack or drawing high-value cards for doubling down or splitting.

Converting the running count into a true count is crucial in multi-deck games because it helps you normalize the count to account for the number of undealt decks remaining. Dividing the running count by the number of decks left in the shoe gives you a more accurate representation of the card composition and how favorable the deck is for you.

Thanks for sharing this detailed information on calculating the running count while card counting with the Hi-Lo system! It's a valuable skill for blackjack players looking to improve their chances of winning in the long run.