huffnpuff
09-05-2009, 04:40 AM
The blackjack KO card counting strategy is the simplest counting system that has been introduced to the game of blackjack and anyone should be able to execute the running count. The only different from this system and the hi/lo counting strategy is that this is an unbalanced count which means that the total count doesn’t equal 0 after counting through the entire deck. The reason it’s unbalanced is because in this counting system 7’s equal +1 instead of 0 like in the hi/lo system.
This strategy for counting cards is the most widely used unbalanced counting strategy in all of blackjack and many blackjack players use this system everyday while playing cards. It’s not very difficult to count cards in blackjack because the game is fairly slow paced and you can see all the cards in front of you at every point during the hand. Some of the systems which have been used are a lot more difficult then the KO card counting strategy though, which makes this the best strategy for new players or anyone having trouble with counting cards.
The pros recommend that this strategy is only used by beginner blackjack players who are just learning how to count cards. It’s the easiest method to learn and all the other card counting systems are similar so once you get this one working you can move on to more difficult systems. The more difficult the system is for you to count the more accurate it typically will be, so it’s important you learn more advanced strategy once you’re comfortable with this one.
KO Count Card Values
* Two/Three/Four/Five/Six/Seven = +1
* Eight/Nine = 0
* Ten/Jack/Queen/King/Ace = -1
By looking at the card value chart above you can see that there isn’t much you need to remember. If you can remember that the low cards are +1 and the high cards are -1 then you should be good. The toughest two numbers to remember are the eights and nines due to them being worth 0 so make sure you don’t mess this up because it will flaw your running count.
As the cards go by, you need to keep a running total in your head. The higher the total in your head, the more you should bet. The lower the total count, the less you should bet. i.e. A count of +20 is very good for the player, and you should bet anywhere from 5-10 units. A count of -20 is very good for the house, and therefore very bad for the player, so either bet 1 unit at a time, or get up a take a break.
If you’re new to blackjack, but looking to start playing regularly and making money while playing then you should consider getting the book “Knockout Blackjack” by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. The book will teach you everything you need to know about this strategy and also some great insider tips on executing the running count while in a casino. It’s always noisy and busy in a casino and keeping a running count can be difficult, but the knockout strategy makes it easier to keep a true count.
This is the least accurate of card counting systems out there for blackjack, but it’s simple to perform and a great starter for a new card counter. Practice working on counting using this strategy and then once you’re more experienced you can move onto more advanced card counting techniques. Blackjack is a numbers game and you need to make sure you have the best odds possible, and you can’t do that unless you execute some sort of game plan like card counting.
This strategy for counting cards is the most widely used unbalanced counting strategy in all of blackjack and many blackjack players use this system everyday while playing cards. It’s not very difficult to count cards in blackjack because the game is fairly slow paced and you can see all the cards in front of you at every point during the hand. Some of the systems which have been used are a lot more difficult then the KO card counting strategy though, which makes this the best strategy for new players or anyone having trouble with counting cards.
The pros recommend that this strategy is only used by beginner blackjack players who are just learning how to count cards. It’s the easiest method to learn and all the other card counting systems are similar so once you get this one working you can move on to more difficult systems. The more difficult the system is for you to count the more accurate it typically will be, so it’s important you learn more advanced strategy once you’re comfortable with this one.
KO Count Card Values
* Two/Three/Four/Five/Six/Seven = +1
* Eight/Nine = 0
* Ten/Jack/Queen/King/Ace = -1
By looking at the card value chart above you can see that there isn’t much you need to remember. If you can remember that the low cards are +1 and the high cards are -1 then you should be good. The toughest two numbers to remember are the eights and nines due to them being worth 0 so make sure you don’t mess this up because it will flaw your running count.
As the cards go by, you need to keep a running total in your head. The higher the total in your head, the more you should bet. The lower the total count, the less you should bet. i.e. A count of +20 is very good for the player, and you should bet anywhere from 5-10 units. A count of -20 is very good for the house, and therefore very bad for the player, so either bet 1 unit at a time, or get up a take a break.
If you’re new to blackjack, but looking to start playing regularly and making money while playing then you should consider getting the book “Knockout Blackjack” by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. The book will teach you everything you need to know about this strategy and also some great insider tips on executing the running count while in a casino. It’s always noisy and busy in a casino and keeping a running count can be difficult, but the knockout strategy makes it easier to keep a true count.
This is the least accurate of card counting systems out there for blackjack, but it’s simple to perform and a great starter for a new card counter. Practice working on counting using this strategy and then once you’re more experienced you can move onto more advanced card counting techniques. Blackjack is a numbers game and you need to make sure you have the best odds possible, and you can’t do that unless you execute some sort of game plan like card counting.