Hi Lo Card Counting

Hi-Lo Count is one of the most common strategies used in blackjack by amateur and professional players alike. The Hi-Lo was first written about by Harvey Dubner in 1963, and talked about by other famous blackjack players like Stanford Wong. It is slightly more complex and strong system than the Ace-Five system, and likewise, it is easier to detect, as you will be altering the way you play.

How It Works

The count at the beginning of each shoe will be zero. Players have to be very alert as they have to count the cards that are dealt, and this can occur very quickly. Each card is given a point value that will be used to create your count:

Steps To Follow

Step 1: Starting Count

Start with your zero count at the start of each shoe or deck. As each card is dealt, keep a running count of the cards by adding or subtracting using the table above.

Example: if the first 10 cards dealt from the shoe are: 2, 4, Jack, 8, King, 6, 9, 4, 5, 3, and the count would be: 1 +1 -1 +0 -1 +1 +0 +1 +1 +1 = +3.

Step 2: True Count

In order to get the True Count, players have to divide the running count by the number of decks remaining. This may take some practice for amateur counters, but there is no need to be exact; using an estimate can work. The more you play blackjack, the more practice you will get and the easier it will be to make this adjustment. In most cases, the correct decision is obvious. In extreme cases will you need to make this True Count conversion.

Example: with a running count of +9, and an estimated 3 decks left, the true count would be: 9/3 = 3.00. You can round the number up or down to keep things simple.

Step 3: Betting

As the true count gets bigger, the more a player should bet. However, we won’t give you set rules on how much to raise your bet each time, since most of these rules were written in blackjack books. Using certain patterns, like the ones set in books, can give casinos an easy way to spot card counters. In order to avoid being detected, players should use a Bet Spread, where there is a limit on the ratio between the maximum and minimum bet. Also, to increase bets after a win, lowering bets after a loss, and remaining the same after a push, can help make a player look more natural. This may cost you some profit, but will help avoid calling attention.

Example: a ratio for raising/lowering the bet of 2:1, with the table minimum being $10, and after 5 wins, 3 losses, and 2 pushes, your bet should be at $40. You can pick whatever ratio you want, as long as it remains between the max and min limit you set.

Step 4: Index Numbers

An additional component of the Hi-Lo system is to use Index Numbers; where you would have been playing with the True Count and basic strategy. These numbers are a specific guide for making decisions like Hit, Double, Split, Stand, or take Insurance, and allows players to alter their play slightly in order to get more profit.

Example: the Index Number, where the player has a 15 and the dealer has a 4, is a +4. This means that the player should Stand if the true count is +4 or higher; if it is lower, Hit. This would trump regular basic strategy, as it takes into account the number of favorable cards left in the shoe. There are many different indexes that can be used, like the Illustrious 18 and Fab 4. For the following index table we are using the following rules: Stand on Soft-17, Double after Split, and Late Surrender, as well as a six-deck shoe.

There are many other index tables where they will tell the player when to double down, split, or even surrender based off of the true count and the specific cards the player and dealer have. If you do not find a hand with an index number, this means you should stick to the basic strategy on what decision to make.

Player Advantage

There are several factors a player has to take in to account when gaining advantage over the house:

• Spread: This is the ratio of the players minimum bet to maximum bet. When the ratio is bigger, the better the players advantage will be, however, a large spread can also be a red flag. When playing in a standard six deck game, a 1 to 15 spread is the most aggressive a player should get.
• Penetration: How many decks played before getting reshuffled. Usually in a six deck shoe, 4.5 is standard.
• Player Advantage: This is the ratio of net player wins to total bets.

Remember to be cautious about your bet spread, as that could alert the casino to your card counting. Keep it simple as you play a blackjack game and you will find your way to a steady profit.