Counting Methods
The Key to Winning
On the other hand, when there are many tens and aces remaining in the deck, the cards become favorable to the player. You have the option of standing or hitting any hand you hold, and if you're dealt a stiff hand, let's say, 10, 5, and the dealer shows a bust cards such as a 4, you can stand pat and let the dealer draw first. The dealer must hit his hand, and if he has a total of 12 or more with his first two cards, he stands a good chance of busting.
When there are many los and aces in the deck, you as a player stand a good chance of getting a blackjack. Even though the dealer has an equally good chance to get a blackjack, you are paid 3-2 for yours, while the dealer only gets even money. And should the deck be very favorable, and the dealer shows an ace as his up card, you have the further option of making an insurance bet and saving your hand.
The Basic Counting Method
The important cards, as far as the card counter is concerned, are the small cards' and the 10s, and more important, the ratio of one to the other. The earliest counting methods concentrated solely on cards like the 5, for computer studies showed that when the 5s were removed from the deck, the deck became favorable to the player. These methods had some value, but were rather primitive.
Then a 10-count was introduced by Thorp, but this was complicated and required the knowledge of several figures and ratios at one time, which was quite difficult for most players to put into practice under actual casino conditions.
cards
are favorable
gets
even money
the
most damaging
by
balancing cards
hit
and get another
the
remaining deck
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