How to comprehend if you are playing Blackjack with a card counter

Strangely, what are the telltale signs of card counting at a casino table? It was first made known on Quora – the knowledge sharing web where fascinating questions are answered by individuals with unique insights.

It was first answered by David Shi, a former blackjack player on Quora: In a game of blackjack, if you count cards, it’s no sweat to tell whether other players are counting. This is because counting cards changes your play style in a certain way. For example, you assign each card value when counting and then add to the running “count” when cards are played. You will tend to bet on high when the “count” is high and bet lower when the “count” is lowered. Even though with different counting systems, counting always points in the same direction.

In addition, if someone is wagering high when the count is high and lowering the bet when it drops, then perhaps maybe he or she is counting. If the person is sitting out when you are sitting out, then the person might also be a counter as well. To a counter, there are some very clear signs that individuals are counting, this is often why many casinos hire former counters to detect and ensure counters in their casino.

If you are not counting cards, there are still many ways out there to check if someone is counting. Also, if someone bets on average much more towards the end of the shoe than in the beginning, then this is a positive sign that shows that someone is counting (but in no way conclusive). Counters tend to bet more on the average because the game changes when the true count (which is the value on which you set your bet by) is potentially at the peak.

Moreover, a high true count indicates a higher player win rate. Another way to detect a counter by watching their bet size is seeing bet increases when a number of lower value cards come out and are played. Again, this is no way conclusive but it’s also a positive sign that someone is counting, and you don’t have to keep a count yourself to notice this behavior.

There are some gameplays that are red flags. The first red flag is splitting 10’s. It is a no-no in a game of blackjack to split 10’s. Many blackjack players say that only dumb people and card counters would ever split 10’s. If someone split 10’s and is mostly following basic strategy this is highly suspicious, especially with a large bet on the table. A lot of advantage players don’t even do this anymore, even though it does bring in a bit of benefit.

Meanwhile, taking insurance in blackjack when they have a high bet is also a possible sign of card counting. Basic strategy says never to take insurance. Most people that do take insurance do it when their hand is good, insurance is the single most important play that is outside normal plays that card counter will use. This is why card counter still take insurance even if it gives off a possible red flag.

All casino personnel is trained to somewhat recognize suspicious card plays. They are on the lookout for individuals that tend to bet more at the end of the shoe, then return to the minimum bet at the start of the shoe. They also look out for individuals that play 2 hands sometimes or play big bets only sometimes. They also watch people that bet high sometimes whether they are winning or not.

Surrendering 15 sometimes vs a 10 is a sign of card counting (basic strategy says to it always). Making a play like standing 16 on a 10 sometimes is also one. The key is to be consistent if someone isn’t consistent with some strategy either they are beginners and don’t know basic strategy, or they are counting and using basic strategy variations. Such as standing 12 against a 2 at a higher bet but hitting at lower bets is another example of a basic strategy variation. Hitting 12 versus 4 around half the time is also another example.

Playing a good perfect strategy includes giving in properly, and playing a few trickier hands correctly (like doubling correct soft hands). Just by observing those, I have noticed a number of counters at casinos. They raise bets once I raise, then lower bets once I lower them. A common misunderstanding is that a card counter would always win. However, they don’t always win, they are expected to win in the long run but even while counting winning is nearly a 50/50. The advantage gained from counting is roughly around 1-2%. The perfect place for you to test your skills in card counting is by using online casinos and online casino in Malaysia has expanded greatly through the years.

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