Counting cards is the exercise of dealing with the odds that one has the advantage, primarily in blackjack and its derivatives. This can be achieved in several different ways, all based on the basic principle of tracking the rate of low to higher cards at any given point in the game. The primary idea is that high cards are more valuable for the player, while lower cards, namely 4s, 5s, and 6s, are more suitable for the dealer. This is because higher cards, especially aces and tens, offer a greater chance of a blackjack, and smaller value cards lower the chance that the dealer will bust (as he is required to hit stiff hands, whereas the player may hit or stand as they sees fit).

The exercise is not illegal, although casinos preserve the right to deny players that are known or supposed card counters. Counting cards does not involve influencing the deck in any way, but rather, the player’s own meaning of the deck. Each card the player sees is allocated a score which shows the value of that card in relation to the game, and the sum of those values is tracked. There are a variety of different ranking systems, but all involve designating a positive, negative, or null value to each card. When a new card is dealt, its value affects the sum of the running count. Lower cards will increase the count, as their presence means that the percent of high cards remaining is increased. High cards, likewise, lower the count.

The High-Low system, a common and rather simple technique, adds one for each card valued 2-6, and subtracts one for any ten through ace, while the 7, 8, and 9 receive no value. It is deemed an easy technique to learn and sustain because of its single-level count; the count is never increased or decreased by any more than one. This makes it easier for the player to keep track of and still keep his head in the game itself.

The Zen Count, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated and allows for more precise accuracy in figuring possibility. The more valuable cards, 4-6, are allocated a 2 value, while the 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all given a value of -2. The 2, 3, and 7 are assigned values of 1, the ace is a -1, and the 8 and 9 are null. This approach is a multilevel count, and while it is deemed more precise, it requires more thought and time, and may therefore stop one from playing as accurately, defeating the purpose of the system one is using.

If a player is able to play quicker and thus generate more money using a easier system, there is little point in using a more precise and precise method, but this is solely up to personal expertise and preference. Many more counting cards methods exist to enhance one’s blackjack experience. It is just an issue of learning from mistakes to find which system is best for the specific player.