Card Counting Systems

Normal card counting systems will give either a positive, negative or zero value to each card that is in the deck. Every time a new card is dealt the running score is changed and recalculated depending on which cards are being dealt.

The Hi-Lo system was developed in the 60s and is one of the more simplistic approaches to card counting. Cards 2,3,4,5,6 are assigned a value of +1, 7,8,9 are given a zero value and 10,J,Q,K,A are given a value of -1. This is called a balanced system as when all 52 cards have been dealt the score should equal zero.

The Hi-Lo system is considered single level due to the range in the scores assigned to cards being so small. A multi-level system such as the Zen Count gives the player a greater edge because greater values are assigned to the higher and lower cards making the count more accurate. For example, the top end higher cards might be assigned -2 whilst the very low cards might be assigned +2.

The more complicated systems give more of a Card Counting Edge to the player but due to their complex nature they often require slower play or more skill when it comes to card counting.