Blackjack Counting Blackjack Counting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Hi-Lo counting, what is the running count adjusted by to get the true count?
- Number of aces remaining
- Number of decks remaining (Correct answer)
- Number of players at the table
- Number of hands played
Correct answer: Number of decks remaining
The true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the estimated number of decks remaining in the shoe.
Question 2: Which counting system assigns a value of +2 to 2s and 3s, making it more powerful but harder to use?
- Hi-Lo
- KO (Knock-Out)
- Zen Count (Correct answer)
- Red Seven
Correct answer: Zen Count
The Zen Count is a multi-level system that assigns +2 to 2s and 3s, offering more accuracy at the cost of added mental complexity.
Question 3: What does a negative running count generally indicate about the remaining shoe?
- More high cards remain
- More low cards remain (Correct answer)
- An equal mix of cards remains
- The shoe is almost exhausted
Correct answer: More low cards remain
A negative running count means more low cards than high cards have been seen, so the remaining shoe is rich in low cards.
Question 4: In a 6-deck shoe game, if the running count is +12 and 3 decks remain, what is the true count?
- +2
- +3
- +4 (Correct answer)
- +6
Correct answer: +4
True count = running count ÷ decks remaining = 12 ÷ 3 = +4.
Question 5: Which bet spreading strategy best disguises card counting from casino surveillance?
- Always bet the same amount
- Jump from table minimum to maximum immediately
- Spread bets gradually over several hands (Correct answer)
- Only raise bets after a shuffle
Correct answer: Spread bets gradually over several hands
Gradually spreading bets looks more like natural gambling variance and is less likely to trigger casino suspicion.
Question 6: What is 'back-counting' (also called Wonging) in card counting?
- Counting cards from memory after leaving the table
- Observing a shoe from behind without betting, then joining when the count is favorable (Correct answer)
- Using a partner at another table to signal counts
- Counting only face cards and aces
Correct answer: Observing a shoe from behind without betting, then joining when the count is favorable
Back-counting or Wonging involves watching a game without playing and only sitting down when the count is highly positive.
Question 7: When using Hi-Lo, what card value is assigned to 7, 8, and 9?
- +1
- -1
- 0 (Correct answer)
- +2
Correct answer: 0
In Hi-Lo, 7s, 8s, and 9s are neutral cards assigned a value of 0 and do not affect the running count.
Blackjack Counting Blackjack Counting 2
In Hi-Lo counting, what is the running count adjusted by to get the true count?