TJ’s Blackjack corner
The ACE 5 COUNT
ost gamblers at the end of a yearsworth of playing would be happy if by TJ they just broke even. Jorgensen Along the way they would have established enough points for some free comps, and had some low cost entertainment. While this may not sound possible, here’s how to make it happen. If a Blackjack player knows “Basic Strategy” and employs it flawlessly the Casino has about a .52% long term advantage, depending on the rules and number of decks used. This means on average for every $100 wagered you would expect to lose 52 cents in the long run. By learning and utilizing a very simple card counting system you can reduce the house edge even further down to about .08. “The Ace-Five Count” is very easy to master and play. This system recognizes and keeps track of the two most important cards in the deck. For the player the most valuable card is the Ace. Besides being the essential element for a Blackjack, it also enables the player to make hands because its value can be one or eleven. The most important card for the Dealer is the five, because when hitting hands of 12-16, it will give them 17-21. How this system works. As the cards are dealt from a new shoe you assign a value of -1 (minus one) to all Aces, and a value of +1 (plus one) to all 5s. By doing this you will know if there is an imbalance of 5s vs Aces on the up-coming hand. You will increase your bet when you are more likely to get an Ace, and bet the minimum when there is a surplus of 5s. For example if the cards are dealt for the first hand, and there are three 5s dealt and one Ace, your count would be +2 (plus two) for the up-coming hand. (Three 5s at a value of +1 (plus one) each or +3, and one Ace with a value of -1 (minus one). 3 - 1 = +2). With this information you now know that for the next hand you are more likely to get an Ace as opposed to a 5. Betting for a six deck game you will bet the minimum when your count is at +2 (plus two) or lower. If you get a count of +3 or +4 for the up-coming hand, bet twice your minimum bet. oPoker_1/3page_vp ad.qxp 12:31 PM Page 1 bet four When your count is at +510/12/09 or higher for the up-coming hand,
times your minimum bet Here is a betting chart for a $5 dollar six deck table Count. Bet 2 or lower $5 +3 $10 +4 $10 +5 or higher $20. Betting according to your count will reduce the Casino’s edge from .52 down to .08, because you are increasing your wagers when the composition of the cards for the upcoming hand favor the player, and playing the minimum when the dealer has the advantage
Playing the Hands You must know and play basic strategy perfectly to maximize the reduction of the Casino’s edge. There is no room for hunches or gut feelings. How much of a reduction depends on the house rules, number of decks, how well you play basic strategy, and how accurately you keep track of the Aces and 5s. While you will not have a mathematical advantage over the casino using the Ace-five count, you will be able to reduce the house edge a little bit more than if you were just using basic strategy. In fact after 25,000 hands you will have a 25% chance of being ahead. If you decide that card counting is for you and would like to take your game to the next level, I cover card counting in my book. My system keeps track of all the cards as they are dealt, and has a betting and playing strategy according to the count. By playing this way you have a mathematical advantage over the Casino. Then it will be you, not the house, who has the advantage when you sit down to play. If you would like a copy of my book or have any questions or comments my E mail is; TJ4justice1@msn.com T.J. Jorgensen has been a professional Blackjack player for over 20 years. He is well known for his live tournament play. He has competed against, and beaten, some of the top tournament players in the world and has won the prestigious World Series of Blackjack. His book, “Beating the Casino at Their Own Game,” is available through his web site www.freewebs.com/tjsblackjackcorner or by e-mail TJ4justice1@msn.com
The book that Vegas doesn’t want you to read. Start your winning education with
The Video Poker Edge $17.95 • 2-Color throughout • Includes tear-out video poker “strategy cards” Available at bookstores everywhere, or call the publisher toll-free at 1-877-900-2665.
22 ARIZONA PLAYER April 2013