Online Gambling |Counting Methods The Key to Winning 6

Counting Methods

The Key to Winning

A word about aces. Although they're not included in the count, there are important reasons for keeping special track of them. First of all, they're the most important cards in the deck as far as the player is concerned. You can form a blackjack only with an ace in your hand. If you get a soft hand, it can easily be improved into a strong hand.

Second, late in the game, under certain circumstances, it's important to know the count on aces in double-down situations. With four aces remaining in a deck, a double-down with a 10 against a dealer's 10-value card may be a feasible play. This kind of play is rarely made, but with a very favorable deck and one rich in aces, it can be used to good effect.

In a big game I once played, I doubled down with a 6, 4 against a dealer's 10, with the deck at plus 6 and three aces remaining, although the deck was almost two-thirds depleted. I didn't worry too much about the double-down, because the dealer had already peeked at his hole card, and since he hadn't turned over his cards, he obviously didn't hold an ace in the hole. Therefore, I doubled down and, to the casino's surprise but not to mine, I received an ace, beating the dealer 21 to 20.

To summarize the point count we're using:

Each 3, 4, 5, or 6 played out has a value of +1.

Each 10-value card has a value of -1.

All other cards are excluded from the count.

The aces are counted separately. They're useful for individual moves, such as the double-down situation just discussed. They're also useful in determining the value of the remaining deck. If the aces are depleted at the beginning of an early round of play, the value of the deck drops and you should be aware of this, since your chances of getting a blackjack are weakened.