Card Counting Explained
Card counting is a method used by skilled Blackjack players to track the ratio of high-value cards
(10s, face cards, Aces) to low cards remaining in the shoe. Since high cards benefit the player and
low cards benefit the house, knowing the balance allows players to identify when the odds shift in
their favor. Card counting does not predict exact cards — it simply measures favorability.
How This Feature Works
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RC (Running Count):
Your running tally of card values using the Hi-Lo system:
+1 for low cards (2–6), 0 for neutral cards (7–9), and −1 for high cards (10–A).
A positive RC means more high cards remain — good for the player.
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TC (True Count):
The running count divided by the estimated number of decks remaining.
This adjusts the count for shoe depth and is the most important number for serious players.
TC is used to determine advantage and optimal bet sizing.
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Edge (% Advantage):
The player’s estimated advantage over the house based on the true count.
A TC of +1 usually gives a small edge, and every point of TC adds roughly 0.5% to 0.6% to player advantage.
Higher edges mean ideal conditions for raising your bets.
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Penetration:
How far into the shoe the dealer has dealt (e.g., 60%, 75%, 85%).
Deeper penetration increases the accuracy of the true count and creates more profitable opportunities.
Counters prefer games with 70%+ penetration.
How to Use This Information
When the true count rises, it means the shoe is rich in 10s and Aces, increasing the chance of:
natural blackjacks, successful double-downs, dealer busts, and strong player hands.
Players increase their bets when the TC is positive and decrease (or bet minimum)
when the TC is zero or negative.
This feature provides all the data needed to follow professional-level card counting techniques.
Blackjack Strategy Suggestions
This simulator uses full Blackjack Basic Strategy—often referred to as the
"Upcard Bible"—to recommend the mathematically optimal move based on your hand and the dealer’s visible card.
These suggestions help reduce the house edge and maximize your long-term winning chances.
How it works:
- Dealer Weak Upcards (2–6): The dealer is more likely to bust. You will stand or double more often and split aggressively.
- Dealer Strong Upcards (7–A): The dealer is likely to make 17–21. You hit more often and play defensively.
- Hit: Used when your total is too low to compete with a strong dealer card (7–A), or when basic strategy indicates it.
- Stand: Recommended when your hand is already strong or when the dealer shows a bust card (2–6) and you should avoid risking a bust yourself.
- Double Down: Increases your bet when the math strongly favors you — typically on totals 9–11 or strong soft hands (A+5, A+6, A+7) versus dealer 3–6.
- Split: Applied to pairs when splitting statistically improves expected return. Always split Aces and 8s; split most pairs against weak dealer cards.
- Surrender: When available, used on extremely disadvantageous hands such as 16 vs 9, 10, or Ace.
Strategy Logic Used:
- Hard Totals:
Stand against dealer 2–6 on totals 13–16; hit those totals if the dealer shows 7–A.
Always hit 8 or less. Double 9–11 against weak upcards.
- Soft Totals (hands with an Ace counted as 11):
Double soft 13–18 (A2–A7) against dealer 3–6 when possible.
Stand on soft 19+.
- Pairs:
Always split Aces and 8s. Split 2s, 3s, 6s, and 7s vs 2–7.
Never split 5s or 10s.
Split 9s vs 2–6 and 8–9; stand vs 7, 10, Ace.
The simulator dynamically evaluates your hard totals, soft totals,
pairs, and the dealer’s upcard to provide accurate, real-time strategy suggestions.
These decisions are based entirely on long-term probability and optimal play.
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