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Card Counting

Is it legal?

YES

Do I need to be a math genius to count cards?

NO

Will I make money from counting cards?

PROBABLY NOT

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History of Blackjack

Originated in Spain or France in the 16th or17thth Century

First referenced in a book by Miguel deCervantes

In the U.S., bonuses of 10:1 wereintroduced for having a black Ace and a

black Jack Edward O. Thorpe

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How to Play Blackjack

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Decisions

1) Hit

2) Stand

3) Split4) Double Down

5) Surrender

Insurance

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Results & Payouts

Normal hand pays 1:1

Blackjack: 3:2

Tie: Push

Insurance: 2:1

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How to Play Blackjack

What is the objective?

BEAT THE DEALER!!

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Basic Strategy

There is a mathematically correct way to play every single hand.

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Practice Time!

And videos!

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Why does Card Counting Work?

Blackjack has a history! 

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Blackjack advantage

Roulette Advantage

-3-2-101234

 

Length of Shoe

   A   d  v  a  n   t  a  g  e   (   i  n   %   )

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

 

Length of Game

   A   d  v  a  n   t  a

  g  e   (   i  n   %   )

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How Does Card Counting Work?

The more high cards left in the shoe, thehigher the advantage for the player.

The more low cards left in the shoe, thehigher the the advantage for the casino.

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How Does Card Counting Work?

Card counting is simply finding 

the ratio of high cards to low cards left to be played.

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Why are high cards good for theplayer?

1) More blackjacks which pay 3:2

2) More double down wins

3) More chances for the dealer to bust

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Running Count: Hi-Lo Strategy

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 = Counted as +1

7, 8, 9 = Counted as 0

A, 10 = Counted as -1

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True Count (TC)

Running count

---------divided by---------

# of decks left to play

The TC tells you your advantage, thustelling you how much to bet!

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Basic Strategy Deviations

That chart I just showed you saying how toplay perfectly?.....

It's not always perfect.

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Counters vs. CasinosCat vs. Mouse

Is Card Counting Legal?

Casino Countermeasures1. Barring

2. Reduced Penetration

3. CSMs4. Griffin Book

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Team Play & Famous CountersGorillas and heat. Not Gorillas in heat.

MIT Blackjack Team

Josh Axelrad

Ken UstonBlackjack Traveler

Israelis in South Korea

3 Days in Prague

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Card Counting Today

Information is King!

Stories from the internet

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Advanced Techniques

1) Side Bets

A) Over/Under 13

B) Lucky Ladies

2) Shuffle Tracking

3) Hole Carding

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In Search of EVCasino Rules & Their Effect

A specific Casino's rules have HUGE effectson a player's advantage

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In Search of EVBankroll Management

Effective bankroll management can mean thedifference between success and failure