You then need to adjust the raw count to the "true" count. You get the true count by dividing
the raw count by the number of decks yet to be played. So, if you had a raw count of +6 but
there were still 3 decks to be played, then the true count is 2.
Practice, Practice, PRACTICE
The high low count is quite simple but it is difficult to get used to. You will need to practice alot before the count comes naturally on sight.
The best way to begin your practice is to get a deck of 52 cards and count through them.
Adding one for deuce, trey, four, five and six. Minus one for ten, jack, queen, king and ace.
You should get zero by the end of the deck. Keep practicing until you can get through a full deck in under a minute.
The next step is to try to get through a deck looking at two cards at a time. You want to be able to see two cards and immediately get the sum. For example, if we see king and ten, we
want to see +2 not 1 + 1 or with an ace and deuce we should see 0 not +1 -1. Once you
have mastered this, try looking at three cards at a time. Again we want to get an instant
count on the three cards. Keep practising until this comes naturally.
Playing the High Low Count
Another way to look at the high low card counting system is to think of it as a modified basic
strategy system. Below I have put players totals and the correct plays IF the count has
reached a certain threshold, otherwise the correct play is basic strategy. So if I say, hit if true
count is +4 and your true count is -3 then you should make the basic strategy play. When I
use negative count, usually I mean at as low as that negative count.
(Click here for printer friendly version)
Buy insurance when your true count is +4.
Hard 21: Always stand.
Soft 21 or a natural: Always stand.
Hard 20: Always stand.
Soft 20: Double against a five or six when true count is +4. Double against a four when true
count is +6.
Pair of tens: Split against a five or six when true count is +4. Split against four when true
count is +6.
Hard 19: Always stand.
Soft 19: Double down against five or six when true count is+2. Double down against trey or
four when true count is +4.
Hard 18: Always stand.
Soft 18: Start hitting against ace (and nine or ten) when count is at least -2. Double against
a deuce when true count is +2. Stop doubling against a trey when count is -2. Stop doubling
against a four, five and six when count is -4.
Pair of nines: Start splitting against a seven and an ace when true count is +4. Stop
splitting against deuce or trey when true count is -2. Stop splitting against a four, five or six
when true count is -4. Stop splitting against an eight or nine when true count is -6.
Hard 17: Hit against ace if count is -6.
Soft 17: Start doubling down against a deuce as well as the trey through six when true
count hits +2. Stop doubling down against a trey when true count hits -2. Stop doubling down
against four, five & six when true count is -6.
Hard 16: Stand against ten when count is +2 (Surrender if possible). Surrender against
nine when count is +2. Stand against nine when count is +6 (if you can't surrender).
Surrender against eight when count is +6. Hit against deuce when count is -6. Stop
surrendering totally when count is -1.
Soft 16: Never stand. Start doubling against a trey when count is +4. Stop doubling against
4 if count hits -4.
Pair of eights: Stop splitting against a ten when count hits +4. Surrender if possible;
otherwise stand.
Hard 15: Start standing against a ten (if you can't surrender) when count hits +4. Surrender
against nine when count hits +4. Hit against deuce or trey when count hits -6.
Soft 15: Stop doubling against four when count is -2. Stop doubling against five when count
is -4.
Hard 14: Surrender against a ten when count is +4. Hit against deuce when count is -4. Hit
against trey or four when count hits -6.
Soft 14: Double against a four when count hits +4. Stop doubling at all when count hits -2.
Pair of sevens: Stick with basic strategy regardless of count.
Hard 13: Hit against a deuce or trey when count hits -2. Hit against four, five or six when
count hits -4.
Soft 13: Stop doubling when the count hits -2.
Hard 12: Stand against a trey when count hits +2. Stand against deuce when count hits +4.
Hit against everything including four, five and six when count is -2.
Pair of aces: Stop splitting against ace when count is -4.
Pair of sixes: Start splitting against deuce or trey when count is +2. Stop splitting
altogether when count is -4.
Hard 11: Stop doubling down against an ace when count is -1. Stop doubling down against
ten or nine when count is -4. Stop doubling down against an eight when count is -6.
Hard 10 / Pair of Fives: Stop doubling against nine when count is -2. Stop doubling
against eight when count is -4. Stop doubling against seven or deuce when count is -6. Start
doubling against ten or ace when count +4.
Hard 9: Stop doubling down against deuce, trey or four when count is -2. Stop doubling
down against five or six when count is -4. Start doubling against a seven when count is +4.
Start doubling down against an eight when count is +6.
Hard 8: Double versus six when count is +2. Double versus five when count is +4. Double
versus four when count is +6.
Pair of fours: Never split if you can't double against splitting. If you can double after
splitting, you would split against a five or a six unless count is -2. You would split against a
four only if count was at least +2.
Hard 7: Double versus five or six when count is +6.
Hard 6: Always hit.
Pair of treys: Stop splitting when count is -4.
Pair of deuces: Stop splitting when count is -4.
That it! Now its just a matter of practice. The basic strategy put you on an even
footing with the casino. Card counting is what gives you the edge!! Good luck.
