Blackjack Counting Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Blackjack Counting facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. If late surrender is possible → Surrender 16 when the dealer has a 10 or Ace
2. Side counting Aces separately is done to improve a counting system's: → Ace correlation and betting accuracy
3. Which counting system is widely considered the best balance between simplicity and effectiveness for beginners? → Hi-Lo
4. Who were the first to publish a strategy that involved counting cards? → The Four Horsemen
5. Rounding the true count to the nearest integer rather than using exact fractions is recommended because: → Mental math speed matters more than marginal precision
6. How effective is card counting as a blackjack strategy? → Very
7. When should a card counter generally start raising their bet in a 6-deck game using Hi-Lo? → When true count reaches +2 or higher
8. In blackjack team play, which role most closely mirrors the Wonging strategy? → The spotter who counts from behind without betting and signals teammates
9. Which of the following best describes the core advantage a Wonger holds over a standard flat bettor? → Playing only when holding a positive expected value, entering every session with an edge
10. What is the main disadvantage of Wonging in a casino with advanced surveillance? → Increased visibility and easier detection by casino security
11. What is the formula for converting a running count to a true count? → True Count = Running Count ÷ Decks Remaining
12. A true count of +1 in a standard 6-deck game represents approximately what player advantage over the house? → About 0.5%
13. A counter who only memorizes the top 3 Illustrious 18 plays (I18, I16, Insurance) captures approximately what percentage of total deviation EV? → About 60%
14. What is a 'back-off' and how does it typically affect a Wonger caught by casino management? → When a casino asks a player to stop playing blackjack or restrict their betting
15. How does back-counting affect the variance of a counter's results? → It reduces variance by removing negative-expectation hands from the session
16. When should a counter take the surrender option on 16 vs dealer Ace? → When true count is below +1 (or at basic strategy)
17. What is 'table hopping' as a card counter strategy? → Moving between tables to enter shoes at high positive counts
18. What is the index for standing on 12 vs dealer 2 in the Illustrious 18? → +3
19. How many systems of card counting are there? → Several
20. In which scenario does true count conversion matter LEAST? → Single-deck blackjack
21. Which of the following plays IS NOT correct if the dealer reveals a 6? → Double A,8
22. What is the main risk Wongers face from casino surveillance staff? → Being identified as a counter due to erratic entry and exit patterns
23. What is the purpose of 'camouflage' in card counting? → To disguise counting behavior from casino detection
24. A counter should deviate from basic strategy and stand on 12 vs dealer 4 when: → True count is 0 or higher
25. What is the primary danger of using a very wide betting spread (e.g., 1-to-20) in a casino? → Increased scrutiny and potential backoff by casino staff
26. What card values are considered 'neutral' (assigned 0) in the Hi-Lo system? → 7, 8, and 9
27. The most valuable single strategy deviation in Hi-Lo is widely considered to be: → Standing on 16 vs dealer 10 at high counts
28. What is the primary reason card counters track 'decks remaining' rather than 'cards remaining'? → Decks are easier to estimate visually
29. What does a casino 'backoff' mean for a card counter? → Being told not to play blackjack but allowed to stay in the casino
30. The 'Illustrious 18' refers to: → The 18 most valuable basic strategy deviations for card counters