The Blog
Blackjack & card counting
Tips, news and deep dives on beating the game the smart way.
Setting Your Betting Unit Size
Your betting unit is the building block of every bet you make. Here is how to set it from your bankroll.
Do You Pay Taxes on Blackjack Winnings?
In the US, gambling winnings including blackjack are taxable income. Here is a general overview, but consult a tax professional.
Bankroll Management for Card Counters
Bankroll management keeps your betting proportional to your money so variance cannot wipe you out. Here are the core rules.
How Much Money Do You Need to Count Cards?
You need a bankroll large enough to survive blackjack's swings, usually hundreds of betting units. Here is how to size it.
Blackjack Side Bets: Are They Worth It?
Side bets like Perfect Pairs and 21+3 promise big payouts but carry a high house edge. Here is whether they are worth it.
Pontoon vs Blackjack: The Differences
Pontoon is a blackjack cousin with its own terms and rules. Here is how it differs from standard blackjack.
Double Exposure Blackjack Strategy
In Double Exposure both dealer cards are face up, a huge advantage offset by tougher rules. Here is how to play it.
Blackjack Switch Explained
Blackjack Switch lets you swap cards between two hands, a unique twist balanced by rule changes. Here is how it works.
Spanish 21: Rules and Basic Strategy
Spanish 21 removes the tens but adds player-friendly rules and bonus payouts. Here is how it works and its strategy.
When to Surrender in Blackjack
Surrender lets you give up half your bet on a bad hand. Used correctly it saves money. Here is when to surrender.
Playing a Soft 18 Correctly
Soft 18 is one of the most misplayed hands in blackjack. Here is when to stand, hit or double.
Why You Always Split Aces and Eights
Splitting aces and eights is one of the most reliable rules in blackjack. Here is the reasoning behind it.
Should You Hit or Stand on 12?
A hard 12 is a tricky borderline hand. Here is the correct basic-strategy play against every dealer card.
What to Do With a Hard 16 in Blackjack
Hard 16 is the worst hand in blackjack. Here is the correct basic-strategy play and when a counter deviates.
Is the Movie 21 Accurate?
The film 21 is based on the MIT Blackjack Team, but how much is true? Here is what the movie got right and wrong.
The Four Horsemen of Blackjack
Before Thorp, four US Army soldiers worked out the first accurate blackjack basic strategy by hand. Here is their story.
Ken Uston: The Man Who Sued the Casinos
Ken Uston pioneered big-player team play and won a landmark lawsuit that still protects counters in Atlantic City. Here is his story.
The MIT Blackjack Team: The Real Story
The MIT Blackjack Team took millions from casinos using team play. Here is the real story behind the legend and the movie.
Edward Thorp: The Father of Card Counting
Edward Thorp proved that blackjack could be beaten and launched the entire world of card counting. Here is his story.
Why 3:2 Blackjack Beats 6:5
The difference between 3:2 and 6:5 blackjack payouts is one of the biggest in the casino. Here is why you should always seek 3:2.
What Is Expected Value in Blackjack?
Expected value is the average result of a decision over the long run. It is how every correct blackjack play is chosen. Here is what it means.
What Is the Effect of Removal (EOR)?
The effect of removal is the idea at the heart of card counting: each card that leaves the shoe shifts the odds. Here is what it means.
Blackjack Odds Explained for Beginners
Understanding basic blackjack odds helps you make smarter decisions. Here is a plain-English look at your chances at the table.
What Is the House Edge in Blackjack?
The house edge is the casino's built-in advantage. In blackjack it is unusually small, and good play shrinks it further. Here is how it works.
The Most Common Card Counting Mistakes
A few avoidable mistakes trip up most new card counters. Here are the biggest ones and how to fix them.
Speed Drills for a Faster Card Count
Speed is what separates a casino-ready counter from a beginner. Here are the drills that build a fast, accurate count.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Card Counting?
Most people can learn the basics of card counting in a few weeks. Here is a realistic timeline from first drill to casino-ready.
Counting Down a Deck: The Beginner Drill
Counting down a deck is the first drill every card counter learns. Here is exactly how to do it and what to aim for.
How to Practice Card Counting at Home
You can learn card counting entirely at home with a single deck and a few simple drills. Here is a practice routine that works.
Can ChatGPT Count Cards in Blackjack?
ChatGPT can teach and drill you on card counting, but it cannot count a live shoe for you at a real table. Here is what it can and cannot do.
Are Blackjack Card Counting Apps Legal?
Card counting apps are legal to own and practise with, but using one at a live table is illegal. Here is the important distinction.
The Best Blackjack Rules to Look For in 2026
The rules at a blackjack table can swing the house edge more than any system. Here are the best rules to seek out and the worst to avoid.
Why Online RNG Blackjack Cannot Be Counted
Software blackjack uses a random number generator that reshuffles every hand, so there is no count to keep. Here is why.
Can You Count Cards in Live-Dealer Blackjack?
Live-dealer online blackjack uses real cards, but early shuffling usually makes counting impractical. Here is the honest picture.
What Is a Casino Backoff and What to Do
A backoff is when casino staff ask a suspected counter to stop playing blackjack. Here is what happens and how to handle it calmly.
Is Card Counting Legal in the UK?
Card counting is legal in the UK, but casinos can still refuse service. Here is how the law and casino rights work in Britain.
Card Counting Laws by US State
Card counting is legal across all US states, but casino rights vary. Here is how the law and countermeasures differ by state.
Can a Casino Ban You Just for Winning?
In most places a casino can ban a skilled winner, because it is private property. Here is the exception and what a ban really means.
Can You Get Arrested for Counting Cards?
Counting cards in your head is not a crime, so you cannot be arrested for it. Here is where the real legal line sits.
Camouflage: How Card Counters Avoid Detection
Camouflage is how card counters avoid detection while playing a winning game. Here are the techniques that keep counters in action.
What Is Deck Penetration and Why It Matters
Penetration is how deep into the shoe the dealer deals before shuffling, and it directly controls how much a counter can earn. Here is why it matters.
Betting Spreads: How Much to Bet at Each Count
Your bet spread is the ratio between your smallest and largest bet, and it is where most of a counter's edge comes from. Here is how to set one.
The Illustrious 18: The Key Counting Deviations
The Illustrious 18 are the most valuable count-based deviations from basic strategy. Here is what they are and why they matter.
When to Take Insurance in Blackjack (Almost Never)
Insurance is a side bet against the dealer having blackjack, and for basic-strategy players it is almost always a loser. Here is when, if ever, to take it.
The Wong Halves Count Explained
The Wong Halves is a highly accurate level-three count that uses fractional values. Here is how it works and who it is for.
Red 7 Count: An Easy Step Up From KO
The Red 7 count is a beginner-friendly unbalanced system, a small step up from KO. Here is how it works.
Omega II Count: Is the Extra Power Worth It?
The Omega II count is a powerful level-two system. Here is what it gains you and whether the difficulty pays off.
Hi-Opt I vs Hi-Opt II: What Is the Difference?
Hi-Opt I and Hi-Opt II are precise, ace-neutral counts. Here is how they differ and which one is worth the effort.
KO (Knockout) Count: The Unbalanced System Explained
The KO count is an unbalanced card counting system that skips the true-count math. Here is how it works and who it suits.
Continuous Shuffle Machines: Why Card Counters Avoid Them
A continuous shuffle machine reshuffles after every hand, so there is no count to keep. Here is how to spot one and why counters walk away.
The Zen Count vs Hi-Lo: Which Should You Learn?
The Zen Count squeezes a little more edge out of the deck than Hi-Lo, but at the cost of harder mental math. Here is who each system is really for.
Wonging in Blackjack: The Back-Counting Strategy Explained
Wonging, or back-counting, lets you watch a table and sit down only when the count is in your favour. Here is how it works and why casinos dislike it.