True Count
The card counting strategies
described above only give half of the
picture. To find out how loaded the blackjack shoe is with high cards
you should also keep track of the numbers of deck left. For
example, a running count of +10 is much better if there are 2 decks
remaining as opposed to a shoe with 5 decks remaining.
Figuring out the true count only requires basic math skills once
you have the running count and a general idea of the number of decks
remaining. Just divide the running count by the number of
decks still left to play. If you have a +6 after the first
round of a game in a 6 deck shoe, the running count is +1 since
there are still about 6 decks left. If you have a +6 when
you're halfway through that shoe, then you have 3 decks left and a
+2 running count.
There are a couple of ways to figure out the number of decks
remaining in the shoe. The easiest way to do so is by
eyeballing the deck. Another way to do so is by counting the
decks played based on the number of rounds played. If there
are 6 players and each play about 3 cards per hand, that's 1/3 of a
deck. Another 2 rounds and a whole deck has been played.
This method requires a bit more math but sometimes the casinos do a
good job of "hiding" the remaining decks.
The more positive the true count, the greater the advantage to
the player. In a typical 6 deck shoe, each additional true
count point gives player a 0.5% advantage. When the shoe is
shuffled, the running count is 0 and the dealer's advantage is about
0.5%. When the true count is +1, you even the odds with the
dealer. When the true count increases another point to +2, you
have gained the advantage by 0.5%.
If you're looking for a betting strategy to use with the true
count, try the following strategy. Your base amount is the
minimum you want to bet. For example, if your base amount is
$5 and the shoe has just been shuffled, bet $5. If the true
count is +4, bet $15.
Blackjack Betting Strategy
True count: +1 or less bet your base amount.
True count: +2 or +3, bet 2 times your base unit.
True count: +4 or +5, bet 3 times your base unit.
True count: +6 or +7, bet 4 times your base unit.
True count: +8 or more, bet 5 times your base unit.
