General card counting rules

There are some basic rules to obey when counting cards at blackjack. However, there will be situations and conditions you will encounter at any particular casino that will vary, and that these rules form only part of your basic blackjack-playing strategy. When you are ready for more advanced card-counting techniques, take a look at any of the most popular blackjack books found on the market today to help in your quest for the black chips.

True count of +2 or more                                                True count of –2 or more

* Take insurance                                                               * Hit on 10 versus dealer’s 10

* Stand on 12 versus dealer’s 2 or 3                                 * Hit on 9 versus dealer’s 2

* Double on 10 versus dealer’s ace                                   * Hit on 12 versus dealer’s 4

* Surrender 14 versus dealer’s 10`                                    * Hit on 13 versus dealer’s 2 or 3

* Surrender on 8 versus dealer’s 9,10, and ace                 * Hit more and double less

                                                                                          * Hit more instead of standing

                                                                                         * Hit more instead of splitting           

These actions can appear considerably different than the way most players at a table would act. Therefore, you need to be especially alert to any action on the part of the casino staff to analyze your play. You can be an excellent player, but if casino management bars you from playing, all your skill at blackjack will become a wasted effort.