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Learn to count cards in blackjack.
Clear lessons for total beginners, plus a practice table with a live count that keeps you honest.
How it works in three steps
Assign values
Every card gets a simple tag: low cards are +1, middle cards are 0, tens and aces are −1.
Keep a running count
Add each tag as cards hit the table. A high count means the remaining deck is rich in tens and aces.
Adjust your bets
When the count is high, the odds tilt a little toward you, so you bet more. When it’s low, you bet the minimum.
What card counting is, and isn’t
It is a way of tracking which cards have been played so you can estimate when the remaining cards favor the player. It’s mental bookkeeping, not magic and not cheating.
It isn’t a guaranteed way to win. The edge is small, results swing wildly in the short run, and you need discipline, a bankroll, and good table rules.
The guides
What is card counting?
The big idea, why it works, and what it can and can’t do.
The Hi-Lo system
Tag values, the running count, and quick practice quizzes.
Running count vs. true count
Adjust for how many decks are left in the shoe.
Bet sizing and bankroll
Bet spreads, variance, and risk of ruin in plain language.
Blackjack basic strategy chart
The chart you need to learn before counting helps.
Casino reality and legality
Is it legal? What really happens? Why online can’t be counted.