Free Blackjack Counting Introduction Question and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most well-liked card counting strategy currently in use?
- Hi-Opt I
- Hi-Lo (High-Low) (Correct answer)
- KO (Knockout)
- Red Seven
Correct answer: Hi-Lo (High-Low)
The Hi-Lo (High-Low) count is widely regarded as the most popular and balanced card counting strategy currently in use. Its popularity stems from its excellent balance of simplicity and effectiveness. It assigns values of +1 to low cards (2-6), -1 to high cards (10s, face cards, Aces), and 0 to middle cards (7-9), making it relatively easy to learn while providing a strong correlation to player advantage.
Question 2: The finest blackjack rules in the nation were found in Las Vegas in 2025.
- False (Correct answer)
- True
Correct answer: False
This statement is false because it makes a definitive claim about future blackjack rules in a specific location. Casino rules, including those for blackjack, are dynamic and can change frequently, often becoming less favorable to players over time. Therefore, it's impossible to predict with certainty that Las Vegas will have the 'finest' rules in 2025, as rules vary by casino and are subject to constant revision.
Question 3: Is it permissible to count cards?
- Yes (Correct answer)
- No
Correct answer: Yes
Yes, card counting is permissible and is not illegal in any jurisdiction. It is a mental strategy that players use to gain an advantage by tracking cards, not a form of cheating or tampering with the game. However, casinos are private establishments and reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, meaning they can and often do ban or 'back off' players they suspect of counting cards.
Question 4: What is the most well-liked "unbalanced" card counting technique currently in use?
- Red Seven
- KISS 2
- KO (Correct answer)
- UBZ
Correct answer: KO
The KO (Knockout) count is the most well-liked 'unbalanced' card counting technique currently in use. Unbalanced counts simplify the counting process because they do not require conversion to a 'true count' (per deck remaining) as balanced counts do. The KO system, for instance, starts at a specific number other than zero and does not necessarily end at zero, making it easier for players to keep a running count without complex mental adjustments.
Question 5: The following is accurate on the Hi-Lo (or High-Low) count.
- Aces count -1, Tens count -1, 2-7 count +1 and 8-9 count 0
- Aces count -2, Tens count -1, 2-6 count +1 and 7-9 count 0
- Aces and Tens count -1, 2-6 count +1 and 7-9 count 0 (Correct answer)
- None of the above
Correct answer: Aces and Tens count -1, 2-6 count +1 and 7-9 count 0
The Hi-Lo (High-Low) card counting system assigns specific values to cards to track the proportion of high versus low cards remaining in the shoe. In this system, low cards (2-6) are valued at +1, high cards (10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces) are valued at -1, and neutral cards (7s, 8s, 9s) are valued at 0. This allows players to estimate when the deck is rich in high cards, which favors the player.
Question 6: Who is credited with creating or being the "Father" of card counting?
- Michael Dalton
- Arnold Snyder
- Lawrence Revere
- Edward Thorp (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Edward Thorp
Edward Thorp is widely credited as the 'Father of Card Counting' for his pioneering work in the early 1960s. His seminal book, 'Beat the Dealer' (1962), mathematically proved that card counting could give players a statistical advantage over the casino in blackjack. Thorp's research and publication revolutionized the game and introduced the concept of professional blackjack play to the public.
Question 7: You're making use of the Hi-Lo count. What number do you get if you count every card in a deck?
- 52
- 0 (Correct answer)
- -4
- 4
Correct answer: 0
The Hi-Lo count is a 'balanced' card counting system, which means that if you count through an entire deck of 52 cards, the running count will always return to zero. This balance is achieved by assigning an equal number of positive and negative points across the deck. This property is crucial for calculating the 'true count,' which adjusts the running count based on the number of decks remaining.
Free Blackjack Counting Introduction Question and Answers
What is the most well-liked card counting strategy currently in use?