How to Count Cards at BlackJack

Anyone with any kind of experience in gambling knows that the longer you spend gambling, the more likely you are to lose. And statistically speaking, most people will lose at any game they play unless they are extremely lucky. Yes, the house always wins... unless you can count cards. Here's a guide on how to do it for the game of blackjack, which is the prefferred game for card-counters . But first, a few disclaimers:

Disclaimers:
1. This guide may help you understand, in general, how to count cards, but it definitely won't help you acquire the mathematical genius required to master it to pinpoint accuracy.
2. Even with pinpoint accuracy of counting cards, there is still no guarantee that you will always be right. Why? Because no matter how efficient you are, there is still a good chance that Lady Luck will abandon you completely (what, did you think it was guaranteed)?
3. Without capital to start with, you will lose. Why? Because this isn't a game where one can constantly win. It's a game where you will lose sometimes- guaranteed. The key is to make sure that you lose the small bets and win the big bets, and that means that you have to start with a good amount of capital.
4. You don't really win when casino security guards grab you and beat the shit out of you for "cheating." Nobody really cares that you really weren't cheating. But they do care that you were studying the cards intently and moving your lips like some mumbling momo. Advice? Be inconspicuous. Oh, and put that pen and paper away.

Got it? Ok without further ado, here's how to increase the odds in your favor.
1. Sit at the first seat at a table that is beginning a new round. This isn't a requirement, but it will make things a whole lot easier. Sitting at the first seat of a table ensures that random players or "piggybackers" don't slip in and complicate things. Starting at the beginning of a new round ensures that you get a good look at how many cards are being shuffled and started with.

2. Count how many decks are being used. Normally, the casino will use anywhere from 5-7 decks, shuffle them around, and place them in a "shoe"- a case where they draw the cards from. In some rare cases, casinos will use one deck. This is ideal, because it makes things a lot simpler (You'll know why in the next few steps). Some casinos also use machines (card dispensers). If it is a machine, don't even sit down. Counting cards is impossible because the dealer will constantly stick random amounts of cards back into the machine. Plus, who knows what's really going on in that machine? There might be a goddamn leprechaun in there just waiting for the chance to mess things up when you bet big.

3. Assign points and calculate. Any face card, 10, or ace that hits the table equals "-1." Any 2,3,4,5, or 6 equals "+1," and any 7,8, 9 is equal to "0". Get it? Now pay close attention as the dealer starts dealing because it is absolutely critical for you to count the cards correctly. Don't forget to count the dealers cards as well. Math like this is simple enough (hopefully), and you should be able to cancel out points right when you see it. For example, when a player to your right has a Jack and a 3, then that means +1 and -1, which cancels out to equal zero.

4. Divide and bet accordingly. After each hand is complete, take your total count and divide by the estimated amount of decks left in the shoe. If it is one deck, then obviously it will always divide by 1, which makes everything so much easier. Otherwise, I suggest that you get used to eyeballing card decks. If you were able to count the number of decks from the beginning, then you have a huge advantage. Simply subtract the number of cards, (hope you were counting), that have been played, to include the burned cards, and you should come up with an exact number for cards left. There's 52 cards in a deck- do the math. For instance, say you have a count of +3 after several hands, and you know there's about 5.5 decks remaining in the shoe. Divide 3 by 5.5 and you come up with something close to .54, which is too low. You want at least a +2 or +3 after the dividing in order to bet big. Once you get a positive 2 or 3, then that is the sign for you to bet like a baller. A high numbered result means that there are lots of face cards, 10s, and aces that have a good chance of coming out in the next few hands. Until you get that high number, bet the minimum amount and simply attempt to lose as little as possible.

Once you bet like a baller, sit back and relax. You've done your best. The chances that you the player hits a 20 and the dealer hits 21 is slim, but when Lady Luck decides to screw you, she does it pretty hard. I would know, because she's given it to me rough many many times.