---
title: 'How Does Card Counting in Blackjack Work? Simply Explained!'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=tfE9kvuR4-E'
video_id: 'tfE9kvuR4-E'
date: 2026-08-01
duration_sec: 189
---

# How Does Card Counting in Blackjack Work? Simply Explained!

> Source: [How Does Card Counting in Blackjack Work? Simply Explained!](https://youtube.com/watch?v=tfE9kvuR4-E)

## Summary

This video explains the High-Low card counting method in Blackjack. It covers how to assign values to cards, maintain a running count, estimate the true count, and adjust bets accordingly — while noting the legal risks inside casinos.

### Key Points

- **Introduction to the High-Low method** [00:01] — The High-Low method is a card counting system used in Blackjack to track high and low cards left in the dealer's shoe.
- **Casino rules and card counting** [00:14] — Card counting is not technically illegal, but casinos can kick you out if they notice you counting cards.
- **Goal of card counting** [00:28] — The goal is to track how many high and low cards remain in the shoe. More high cards favor the player because the chance of getting a Blackjack increases, which pays 1.5 to 1 instead of 1 to 1.
- **Why low cards favor the dealer** [00:52] — When the shoe is full of low cards, the dealer is less likely to bust, so the dealer benefits from a low-card-rich shoe.
- **High-Low card values** [01:04] — Cards are grouped into three values: low cards (2–7) count as +1, middle cards (7–9) count as 0, and high cards (10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace) count as -1.
- **Running count explained** [01:19] — The running count is the sum of all card values dealt so far. The higher the running count, the better the player's chances.
- **Counting examples** [01:46] — A high and a low card cancel each other out (value 0). Two high cards give -2, two middle cards give 0, and with the dealer's three cards the running count may become -1.
- **Estimating remaining cards** [02:27] — To estimate the remaining cards, observe the cards already dealt and subtract them from the original number of decks in the shoe.
- **Calculate the true count** [02:41] — Divide the running count by the number of decks remaining. Example: a running count of 15 in half of a six-deck shoe means 15 ÷ 3 = 5, giving a true count of 5.
- **Betting strategy** [02:55] — Bet more when the true count is high, and bet the minimum when the count is low or negative. The video also references a graphic available on their website.

### Conclusion

Card counting with the High-Low method is a learnable skill that shifts the odds in the player's favor when high cards remain, but it requires practice, camouflage, and disciplined betting.

## Transcript

Blackjack. This method is called the High-Low This method is called the High-Low method. Card
learn, but before you go back to the casino table to count cards, you should know that casinos don't allow card counting. Technically, a casino notices you're counting cards, you can be kicked out.
The goal of card counting is to keep track of how many high and keep track of how many high and low cards are left in the dealer's shoe. If there are
in the shoe, it's good for the player because the chances of getting a Blackjack increase. Blackjacks pay out at 1.5 to 1, whereas regular wins are only paid out at 1 to 1. For the dealer, it's better if there
are more low cards in the shoe because the dealer is forced reducing the chances of going bust. The High-Low method assigns the cards to three groups: cards 2 to 7
have a value of 1, cards 7 to 9 have a value of 0, and 10 has a value of 1. Jack, Queen, King, and Ace are valued at running  The goal is to have the value of all cards dealt by the dealer. The higher
this value, the better the player's chances. At the beginning, it's time it becomes easier to
one high and one low card which cancel each other out and have a value of zero. The same applies to the second hand. The third hand has two high cards with a value of -2. The fourth hand has two
medium cards with a value of zero. With the dealer's three cards, the running value of dealer's three cards, the running value of all cards is -1. Continue counting the cards as new ones are dealt.
to estimate the value of the remaining cards. To do this, you need to know or estimate how dealer's shoe. The easiest way to do this is to observe the cards already dealt and subtract them from the original decks. To get the value of the remaining cards,
by the total number of decks remaining in the shoe. If the running value is 15 in half of a six-deck shoe, divide 15 by 3, which gives the current value of 5, and card counting becomes your skill.  To take advantage,
bet more when the total value is higher. Remember this graphic, which is also available on our website, to see when you even more casino tips.