Casino games that require skill to maximize odds of winning.
Gambling amusements are often categorized by their characteristics. Machines versus tables is the most common. Today, we’re going to divvy them up between skill games and non-skill games; that is to say, those that give a player better odds of winning with skill/strategy applied, as opposed to those that do not.
Before we get into the meat and potatoes of today’s topic, those of
you seeking the opposite experience may be interested in reading the
following:
Simple Casino Games that are Easy on the Brain
Casino Games that Require Skill to Win
No one has to implement a strategy to win these games. Everyone gets
lucky now and again. But if you want to win more often, driving your
odds to peak performance, these are the games you’ll want to learn
more about. I’ve chosen to list them in order of the best payback
percentage, with perfect strategy applied.
Video Poker
These can be the most rewarding games of all. The trick is to find
one with the right rules and pay table. At online casinos,
Microgaming’s All Aces VP (99.92%) and Jacks or Better with 9/6 Full
Pay (99.54%) are about as good as it gets. A few land-based casinos –
and I do mean a very rare few – still provide VP games with
100-101% RTPs. Learn
more here.
Blackjack
Of course, blackjack will land high on any list of this nature. It is
the most strategically driven game in any casino. Just memorizing a
basic strategy for the exact rules of the blackjack game you’re going
to play can lower the house edge to below 0.5%. The true RTP value
depends on the rules in play. For example:
Vegas Single Deck 99.69%
Double Exposure 99.68%
Classic Blackjack 99.60%
Spanish 21 99.58%
With these high-RTP variants, players who toss in an astute card counting system at a land-based casino can swing the edge into their favor.
Pai Gow Poker
A unique, 2-handed poker game in which players receive 7 cards to set
a traditional 5-card poker hand and a 2-card poker hand. The 5-card
hand must be stronger than the 2-card hand. If the player’s 2-card
and 5-card hands beat the dealer’s corresponding hands, the player
wins. If one beats the dealer, it’s a push. A good strategy will put
the RTP at 97.28%.
Caribbean Holdem
This is a house-banked poker game with dual betting rounds, the Ante
and Call. It follows the rules of Casino Holdem (based on Texas
Holdem), but with a different payout scheme for Ante bets and a
progressive jackpot. Using the right strategy here can net you an RTP
of 96.91%.
Three Card Poker
This house-banked poker game also presents two rounds of betting,
based on the strength of a 3-card poker hand. What makes it so unique
is the fluctuation in RTP based on your strategic decision. The Ante
alone carries an RTP of 96.67%. If making the Call bet (strategy
calls for a hand of Q-6-4 or better), the RTP rises to 97.99%. The
Pair Plus side bet falls between the two at 97.68%.
Let It Ride
Another
house-banked poker game, this one plays opposite of most. Instead of
placing progressive bets (Ante, Call, Raise, etc), the player starts
with three bets on the table. As the hand progresses, he can chose to
pull one or two of his bets down, it ‘let them ride’. With optimal
strategy, you can expect an RTP of 96.49%.
Caribbean Stud
This is a basic 5 Card Stud poker game but with the usual
house-banking rules, wherein the player competes against the dealer.
An Ante bet is made to start, then all cards are dealt with one
dealer card exposed. The player must then fold (lose all bets) or
raise (bet 2x ante) before all cards are shown. While strategy does
play a big role in this game, perfect decisions will only net an RTP
of about 94.78%.
Five fast ways to ruin your chance of winning video poker.
Did you know that video poker is one of the very rare gems at a casino that can afford a house edge of less than 0.5%? That’s a theoretical return to player (RPT) of 99.5% or better! Find the right rules and pay table, and that could rise to 99.92%. Even a perfect blackjack strategy can’t harvest that kind of RTP – not without a precision card counting team.
That 99.92% RTP is about the best you’ll find online (Microgaming’s
All Aces VP), but a few land-based casinos do still offer
machines that pay over 100%. The highest I’ve seen is 100.76%.
They are insanely rare, but they’re out there.
5 Ways to Ruin Your Chances of Winning Video
Poker
As generous as some of these games can be, it’s very much possible to
win at video poker. Even online, all you’ll need is a smidgen of luck
to beat those odds. That is, if you don’t make these common
mistakes… The following is a list of 5 easy ways to ensure you
will not win playing video poker.
#1 Overlook Pay Table Value
The pay table in a video poker machine is the most important piece of
information for players. It holds two key things to look for.
First are the payouts for a Full House and Flush. A Full House should
pay 9, and a Flush 6/ This is called a 9/6 Full Pay.
Second is the progressive value of a Royal Flush per coin wagered.
Betting 5 coins should offer a payout higher than the 5x multiple of
a 1 coin payout. (Hint: Bet
all 5 coins!)
The image above shows a 5-coin wager is worth 4,000 coins, as opposed
to an even multiple of 1,250. If the payout is 1,250 for a Royal
Flush, or the Full House/Flush pays are anything less than 9/6, do
not play the game… unless it’s got wild cards (see below).
#2 Only Play Jacks or Better
Despite popular belief, Jacks or Better isn’t the only good video
poker game on the casino floor. In fact, with the right pay table,
Deuces Wild, Joker Wild, Aces & Eights and
Double Bonus machines can all pay over 100% RTP. And, as I
mentioned earlier, the best online video poker game is All Aces
by Microgaming.
#3 Ignore Video Poker Strategy
There are three basic ways to play video poker.
1) You can randomly click cards to hold. 2) You can rely on your
gut instinct to decide what card to hold. 3) You can employ a
video poker strategy that determines exactly what cards to hold for
the highest possible odds of winning.
If you want to win, the third option is the only way to go. There are
some really good hand calculator apps out there for VP strategy, too.
Find one that offers the same rules/pay table as your machine, input
each hand as it’s drawn, and the app will tell you exactly how to
proceed. It really is that easy.
#4 Not Knowing Where to Play
Visit a casino often enough, and you’ll realize the layout rarely
changes. Be extremely observant, and you’ll notice that, despite the
unchanging layout, the machines themselves tend to move. The most
popular games move the most, which means that video poker machine you
found last month that paid so well, probably won’t be in the same
spot next time you go.
Thankfully, there’s this amazing website called www.vpFREE2.com.
This website provides a searchable list of casinos all over North
America. It lists the video poker machines they offer, including
their RTP and exact location in the casino! It’s updated daily by
actual players who visit these casinos and play the games. Pretty
amazing, right? You’re welcome 🙂
#5 Don’t Use a Player’s Club Card
To get the maximum value out of any casino experience, you have to
join the rewards club. At online casinos, it’s usually automatic.
Land-based casinos, however, require a bit of work on your part.
You’ll have to visit the Player’s Club desk and give them your basic
info to receive a card. Swipe this card in every machine you play
before inserting money, and the casino will track your play. Doing so
will earn you casino comps – everything from a free meal to a
weekend stay in the penthouse suite!
It really is possible to get an edge at casino games.
How many times have you heard that casino’s are in it to win it? That there’s no practical way to turn the tides in your favor? Or that you must have at least a little luck to walk away a winner? This is said so often because, for the majority of gamblers, it’s true. That’s only because the majority of gamblers are playing the wrong casino games.
Walk onto the gaming floor, and you’re immediately bombarded by the
reverberating sounds and flashing lights of reel slots and video
slots. Isle after aisle, they line the walls and gaudy carpets as far
as the eye can see. The casinos would love for you to stop here –
as so many players do – and start dropping your money into these
machines. Those who aren’t fooled by these may still find themselves
attracted to video poker, baccarat, roulette, the craps table, pai
gow poker or the big money wheel.
There are so many games just waiting to take your money. And the
casinos know they’re going to win, because these games cannot be
beaten. A few players may get lucky and beat them, but many more
players will lose, earning the casino its dues. That is, unless you
know which games to play, and how to exact the ever-illusive player’s
advantage at the casino.
Three Ways to Get an Edge at Casino Games
There are exactly three ways to gamble your money, and slide the
advantage into your favor while doing it. Only one is found directly
on the casino floor, and you can probably guess which one it is. I’m
talking, of course, about blackjack.
The other two you’ll have to do a little extra walking to get too;
one being the poker room, and the other the sportsbook.
Unfortunately, for Canadians like myself, sportsbooks aren’t legal.
You will either need to visit a foreign casino or take your wagering
to international gambling websites to gain an edge with sports
betting.
Blackjack Player’s Edge
The criteria for surpassing a 100% RTP in blackjack sounds simple
enough. It only takes two things – a basic strategy and a good
card counting technique. The strategy part is easy. You can
print out a situational decision-making chart for the game and keep
practicing until you get it down. Counting cards will be a bit
tougher.
Being able to keep up with the count is only the beginning. You must
be a able to do it flawlessly, size your bets appropriately, and be
so perfectly nonchalant about it that the dealer, pit bosses and
security surveillance team don’t suspect you’re doing it. Most
casinos will kick you out for it, not because it’s illegal, but
because they have ‘the right to refuse service to anyone‘.
Profitable Poker Pros
Casinos love to host poker games, because it doesn’t matter who wins
or loses. The casino wins a small percentage of each pot (i.e. poker
rake) regardless of the action on the table. Poker pits player
versus player, and therefore the player who is most skilled is going
to win more often. Like house edge casino games, luck can swing one
players way over another regardless of skill, but in the long term,
skill will prevail in any legitimate poker game.
Being the bet poker player at the table is no easy task, though, especially since the big live/online poker boom of 2003 (aka the Chris Moneymaker Effect). Its takes a special set of skills to truly excel in poker, calculating math quickly in your head, making smart value bets and accurately observing poker tells.
Sports Betting Advantage
If you’re a terrible actor and supreme mathematics isn’t your thing,
how about trying your hand at sports betting? Pick a sport you
follow, or want to follow, and learn everything you can about it. Get
to know the athletes and/or teams. Understand outside influences that
might impact a game, like weather, turf conditions, injuries or
suspensions.
Having a good head for the games is just one aspect of being a good sports bettor. You have to understand the odds and different types of bets, like straight-up wagers, points spreads and over/unders, and live betting features. The more you know, the more you can slide the scales of profitability into your favor.
The average gambler relies on luck. The smart gambler doesn’t need
luck. Choosing the right games and playing them with ultimate skill
will produce a positive expectation for long-term profitable results.
More online blackjack rules than you can shake a stick at!
If there’s one thing land-based casinos have taught us, it’s that all blackjack games are not created equal. To the untrained eye, all they may appear to be the same. But any veteran gambler knows there are many differences to be observed. Every rule variation, no matter how slight, will impact the expected return to player (RTP).
Most casinos know that delivering blackjack tables with an affable
set of rules is crucial for attracting wise players to the casino
floor. But they usually have a little extra room for those less
valuable games, making them look more attractive with lower limits or
special side bets – something less educated gamblers are often
drawn to.
Online casinos, on the other hand, have taken this concept to the
brink of RTP destruction! They aren’t bound by spacial limitations.
They can proffer as many variants of blackjack as they wish, never
running out of room or seats. And if you’ve visited any of the bigger
online and mobile casinos, you know exactly just how many variations
that can be!
More Online Blackjack Rules Than You Can Shake a
Stick At!
As a quick example of what I’m talking about, let’s take a glance at
the game variety provided by LeoVegas Mobile Casino.
This particular operator is among the industry’s most popular, in
part because it employs so many software brands; nearly 50 of them,
plus its own proprietary software as the cherry on top.
Many of those big-name brands offer one, if not a few, blackjack
variants. And when you put them all together as LeoVegas has, it
creates a plethora of blackjack titles to choose from; all with
slight (if not monumental) rule alterations. All told, this popular
mobile casino currently supports 27 RNG-based blackjack titles,
and no less than 9 live dealer blackjack offerings.
That’s at least three dozen ways to play blackjack. And if you don’t
know what to look for – if you can’t recognize the differences in
the rules and pay tables – you may be getting terrible value for
your bankroll budget.
Best Blackjack Rules for Minimal House Edge
Some rules have a minuscule effect on a blackjack game’s RTP, while
others can be significant. At the same time, some rules benefit the
player, while others benefit the house. The following list contains
all common rule variations and their effect on the casino’s edge.
Note that a positive integer is good for the player. A negative
integer benefits the house.
Number of Decks
The number of decks used can have a large impact on the house edge in
blackjack. A shoe can contain anywhere from 1 to 8 decks. The golden
rule here is to play with the least number of decks possible.
Number of Decks
House Edge Effect
1 Deck
0.48%
2 Decks
0.19%
4 Decks
0.06%
6 Decks
0.02%
8 Decks
0.00%
Payout for Natural Blackjack
The payout for a natural blackjack can be one of the most significant
differences in a game. A 2-to-1 payout is best, but extremely rare.
You should generally look for the standard 3-to-2 payout. Anything
less will decimate the house edge.
Natural Blackjack Pays
House Edge Effect
2 to 1
2.27%
3 to 2
0.00%
7 to 5
-0.45%
6 to 5
-1.39%
1 to 1
-2.27%
Blackjack Tie Pays
House Edge Effect
3 to 2
0.32%
1 to 2
0.11%
Other Blackjack Rule Variations
Next up is a list of all common rule variations that don’t fall into
the above categories. That doesn’t make them any less important,
though. Pay close attention to all rules that deliver an added
advantage to the player.
Exploit your swag to fleece extra casino comps in Las Vegas.
Earning casino comps doesn’t have to be a long, tedious or costly process. Sometimes, playing the part of a high-roller is all it takes to generate VIP treatment. You won’t have to rob a bank to pull it off either.
Flashing just enough cash can do the trick, but only if you bring the
entire package. A full high-roller ensemble includes fancy attire and
a trendy hair do to match. Keep reading to learn how a sharp dressed
man, or woman, can have the casinos eating out of the palm of their
hand!
Fleece Your Swag to Earn Extra Casino Comps
There’s an age-old adage that says, “The clothes make the man”.
If you want to get a good job, you don’t walk into an interview in
jeans and a Led Zeppelin t-shirt. If you want to impress a girl on
your first date, you don’t wear socks with sandals. And if you want
to attract the attention of the VIP managers in Las Vegas, you never,
ever show up in a polo.
If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of the usual Las Vegas tourist scene,
it’s surprising how many people think quarter-button down shirts and
khakis are “cool”. Maybe if you’re heading to the miniature golf
course, but the Bellagio? Not even close.
The better dressed you are, the more heads you’re going to turn. You
don’t even have to be a good actor. As it turns out, simply dressing
in formal attire has the ability to provide you with all the swag
you’ll ever need.
Don’t believe me? It’s a scientific fact!
The Science of Formal Attire
In 2015, research was conducted by Columbia University Professor of
Psychology Michael Slepian. The study revolved around the impact of
dressing sharply, both on the mental and physical prowess of the
wearer, and his impression upon those he interacts with. The study
culminated into a research paper titled The
Cognitive Consequences of Formal Clothing, published in SAGE
Journal’s Social Psychological and Personality Science.
Dr. Slepian found that “wearing formal clothing enhances abstract
cognitive processing.” He conducted five separate studies,
concluding the donning of fancy, formal attire could be associated
with…
Study 1: …higher action identification level.
Study 2: …greater category inclusiveness.
Study 3: …greater category inclusiveness.
Study 4: …global processing advantage.
Study 5: association between clothing formality and abstract
processing was mediated by felt power.
According to Slepian:
“The findings demonstrate that the nature of an everyday and ecologically valid experience, the clothing worn, influences cognition broadly, impacting the processing style that changes how objects, people, and events are construed.”
Clothing, Confidence, Cognition & Coinage
Once you’ve got the clothing, all you need is the confidence
of a high roller, the cognition of a strategic gambler, and
the coinage to back it up. Two of these should come naturally,
as Dr. Slepian points out. The right attire gives a person
confidence, and that confidence equates to higher mental capacity.
The thing it won’t give you – quite the opposite if you have to pay
an arm and a leg for the clothes – is money.
As I said, you won’t need to rob a bank, but you should save up a
decent size bankroll before attempting to exploit the casino. You
can’t possibly pull off the persona buying in for anything less than
$1,000. This doesn’t mean you have to wager the whole 4-figures. You
just have to look like you’re ready to do so.
Take a leisurely stroll across the casino floor. Check out the
tables. Spend a few moments observing the action at various mid- to
high-stakes tables, but steer clear of the VIP room. Let them feel
like you’re thinking about playing, but shrug it off as something a
bit too boring for you taste and keep on walking. Before long,
someone should take notice and approach you. They may ask if you’re
looking for something in particular, or if you’ve considered
partaking in their VIP games. This is your moment!
Act interested, but disconnected. Tell them you were about to play
one game or another, but you haven’t eaten yet and your throat is
parched! If you can pull off the debonair of James Bond or one of his
seductive lady friends, you’ll be dining free of charge before you
can say “Hit me!”
Play blackjack to win, and other casino games for fun.
Casinos are teeming with endless ways to place a wager; especially the online variety. Unencumbered by capacity, internet gambling sites can host thousands of games, never running short on seats. The key to enjoying an online gambling experience is to understand what you want to get out of it, and choose your games accordingly.
There are only two reasons a responsible person plays casino games. They are either looking for a good time, or as a professional expecting to win some cash. If you were hoping for both, you’re already tip-toeing on the borderline of at-risk behavior. The fact is, entertainment is the easiest thing to obtain from a casino. A profit is not a realistic goal unless you’re capable of swaying the odds into your favor. That can be extremely difficult to do, but not impossible. For those who manage it, it really is a job, and anything but fun.
Play Blackjack to Win
If you’re hoping to make a living off gambling, or at least a few extra dollars, blackjack is the only game casinos offer that can, under the right circumstances, deliver a positive expectation for players. Don’t expect to have a good time playing it, though.
If you’ve ever been in a live casino and really paid attention to the players around you, blackjack tables aren’t the most lively bunch. The craps table is rocking. The roulette players are on their toes. Slot fans are wide-eyed with wonder as the reels go round. But blackjack players are a whole different breed. At least, the good ones are.
A dedicated blackjack player who’s incorporating enough strategy to get that oh-so-slight edge on the house must concentrate deeply, yet appear not to. That’s because they’re counting every card that appears. They must make the right decisions and the right bets at every turn. One false move, and hours of work goes down the drain. They are the most sullen, if not depressing gamblers in the place.
And, for the record, you cannot count cards at an online casino’s blackjack game. In RNG games, the deck is reshuffled after every hand. In live casino games, a new shoe is brought in prior to 50% deck penetration. If you want to play blackjack to win, you have to play in a land-based casino.
Play Other Casino Games for Fun
If the experience above doesn’t sound like a very good time, steer clear of the blackjack tables altogether. The fact is, gambling is meant for entertainment. It always has been. Casinos make money just like movie theaters and ice skating rinks make money. They provide a form of entertainment, and we pay to enjoy it. The difference is you could get lucky and leave the casino with more money than when you entered. Outside of gambling, no form of entertainment can offer such an opportunity.
So, if you’re ideal visit to a casino involves having a great time, any other casino games will get the job done. If you like the camaraderie of a group experience, head to the table games section. Play baccarat, craps, roulette, pai gow poker, 3 card poker, etc. If you enjoy the solitude of a one-player machine, head for the slots or video poker games.
So long as you set a spending limit, take your time, and place small bets, playing casino games for fun will provide more than enough entertainment.
Static jackpots, progressive jackpot games and other not-so-random slot machine musings…
There are more types of slot machines on the market than the vast majority of their players ever come to realize. It’s not just about the number of reels, the cost of play, or whether there’s a jackpot up for grabs. Modern machines now offer a complex amalgamation of features and thousands—sometimes tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands—of ways to line up a win in a single spin.
Today we’re going to talk about two very specific types of slot machine that sound similar by description, but have little else in common. I’m referring to slots with static jackpots, as opposed to progressive jackpot slot machines. Let’s have a closer look…
Static Jackpot Slot Machines
Static jackpots can be found on a wide assortment of slot machines; everything from 3-reel and 5-reel varieties, to basic 5-liners and mega-ways paying games. The presence of a static jackpot simply means that there’s a special jackpot prize, usually ending in at least three zeros, that is awarded for combining a special line-up of symbols, or accomplishing a certain goal during a bonus feature.
The size of this jackpot never wavers. It could be $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, or as high as $500,000. It could even be multiple jackpot tiers of all those amounts, often labeled as Mini, Minor, Major and Mega jackpot prizes. Whatever the value, it does not change, remaining static at all times.
Progressive Jackpot Games
These slot machines can come in just as many varieties as their static jackpot cousins. They can even carry the same multi-tier jackpots, rising from minuscule to enormous heights. The difference is that each jackpot grows in size until it is won. Hence the “progressive” nature of their name.
Progressive jackpot slot machines come in all starting sizes. Some will begin with an amount as low as $100 or $1,000, scaling up to $100,000, $250,000, even $1,000,000. No matter where it starts, there’s no limit to how high it can climb.
A progressive jackpot continues to climb higher each and every time the reels are spun. It’s usually a tiny amount, such as 2% of each bet, that goes into the progressive jackpot. However, by networking similar games across a city, country, continent, the entire globe, or all of cyberspace, the jackpots can grow to incredible heights in very little time.
The Mega Moolah by Microgaming is among the most famous progressive slot networks online, due to its million dollar seed and multi-national availability. Likewise, IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Slots series is among the land-based gambling realm’s most famous offerings.
Static vs. Progressive
Now that you know how they work, you might be wondering which one is better to play. Based on the information above, you may think progressives are the clear way to go. But that’s not necessarily the best choice for players.
If you were hoping to win a progressive slot machine jackpot, don’t hold your breath. The odds on these games are always 1 in many-millions. They’re actually a lot better than winning an international lottery draw, but still, it’s not a realistic goal. It takes sheer luck and a whole lot of it.
Static jackpots aren’t too much easier to win, but they do tend to strike a lot more often. It’s easier for a slots manufacturer to pay out a $10,000 jackpot once a month without breaking a sweat. Paying out a $1,000,000+ prize however is no laughing matter.
Sure, progressives are built on the money that goes into them, but not the seed amount. The creator and casino have to cover that out of their own profits. So the less they strike, the better. Having said that, though, it’s worth noting that Microgaming’s Mega Moolah pays its top prize, on average, every 9 weeks, worth (also on average) more than $5 million per strike.
Be the Better Bettor: Walking the fine line between conservative and professional gambling.
Gambling is one of those pastimes that everyone seems to have an opinion about. Some believe it’s a vice. Others believe it’s a classic source of entertainment. Then there are those who believe gambling is the quickest way to get rich. Each of these opinions comes with a flaw of some sort.
Those who turn their nose up at casino goers are seen as prudes and, most often, hypocrites. People who enjoy it for entertainment value rarely put enough time and effort into game methodologies to get the most from each experience. And those who see gambling as a money-making opportunity are either A-grade savants, first-class cheaters, or just plain delusional.
The truth is, there is no such thing as a “perfect gambler”, at least, not by the term’s natural implications. It would suggest that a gambler always wins; always makes the right selections at the track, or the right decisions on the blackjack table. No one is perfect. Even so-called psychics cannot predict the lottery, or there would be multiple winners every week.
The goal should not be to exude the persona of a perfect gambler, as such people simply do not exist. Instead, the proper mission is to be the “better bettor”.
What Does it Mean to be the “Better Bettor”?
The better bettor is someone who isn’t disillusioned by the fallacies of professionalism, nor convoluted by the flippant ways of conservationists. It’s the ability to walk that fine line between the two. Let me explain…
Profile of a Professional Gambler
These players do generally have the peace of mind to stick to games they can beat. In a casino, blackjack is their preferred poison. They may also play poker, handicap sports betting, or parlay on the ponies. Whatever they do, they put a great deal of research into it first. No bet is made on a whim, but with calculated strategy and poise.
This all sounds wonderful, but egos tend to be their worst enemy. A professional gambler is someone who believes they’ve got it all figured out. This gambler will risk anything and everything for the win, because their confidence in their abilities is so high that they can’t see the disaster that may befall if and when they fail.
Profile of a Conservative Gambler
The conservative gambler is the complete opposite. This person is only playing casino games for the entertainment and excitement of it all. They tend to enjoy games like slot machines, roulette, and scratch-off lottery tickets—games where strategy will not assist in the propagation of a higher return. That doesn’t concern them, though, because these players aren’t interested in studying strategies or odds. Many times they aren’t even concerned with total comprehension of the rules because, again, fun is the only goal.
To have such a good time, these players must not lose a significant amount of money. They fear big losses above all else. Therefore they will only place small wagers, playing penny slots or $1 happy-hour table games.
Walking the Fine Line Between…
Odds are, you have already recognized some flaws with each of these patterns. Professional gamblers are high risk takers, while conservative gamblers are too careless. To walk the tightrope directly between them is the be the better bettor.
Learn the rules. Study game mechanics. Know the odds. Understand that the casino always has the advantage, and stick to games that have a higher rate of return. At the same time, keep your bets low, pay close attention to your bankroll and be cautious about your spending. By doing so, you can enjoy gambling for the entertainment and excitement it was meant to provide, and enjoy the maximum playing time, while never exceeding your budget. With just a little luck and conscionable awareness, you may even walk away a winner!
Upgrade your blackjack game with the Hi-Opt II Count system.
As Hollywood has taught us, when something is well-received by the public, the most appropriate course of action is to produce a sequel! It’s rare that the second-coming is better than the original, and often times, it’s nothing but a waste of time and money. But on the rarest of occasions, a follow-up can be a great idea, if not better than the first. Such was the development of the Highly Optimum II card counting system for advanced blackjack players.
The Hi-Opt II is built upon the foundation of the Hi-Opt I; an improved method taken from the 1968 Einstein Count. In this newer version, the point-count system is upgraded. Although a bit more complicated, it does the intended job of giving players slightly more efficient betting correlation.
The improvement is very slight, indeed. Some might say it’s hardly even worth the effort of undertaking the more convoluted mathematical approach. However, for those who execute blackjack card counting systems with ease, any heightened advantage is worth working for. If this describes you, please continue reading. Otherwise, use the following link to head back to safety:
Being the younger sibling to a previous point-count, I’ll present the usage of the Hi-Opt II in a few different ways. First, we’ll examine its point values alone:
And finally, a comparison of the Hi-Opt I versus Hi-Opt II Count Systems.
Card Value
Hi-Opt-I
Hi-Opt-II
2
0
+1
3
+1
+1
4
+1
+2
5
+1
+2
6
+1
+1
7
0
+1
8
0
0
9
0
0
10
-1
-2
J
-1
-2
Q
-1
-2
K
-1
-2
A
0
0
Employing the Highly Optimum Card Counting System
To make use of this system, you’ll want to start practicing by running through a count of a single deck of cards. Continue running the count down, time and again, until you can end with an accurate total of 0 with ease.
The purpose of this count is to know when to increase and decrease your bets, based on the probability of being dealt a natural blackjack. When the count is running high, place larger bets. When it is low, keep your bets to a minimum.
True Count with Balanced Systems
Being a balanced system (a running count starts and ends at 0), converting to a true count will increase the efficiency of the Hi-Opt II count system in multi-deck games. In theory, it’s easy to do, but the conversion can be more difficult to execute in a real life situation, so be sure to get lots of practice in.
Converting from running count to true count is a simple matter of dividing the current count by the number of decks you estimate are left in the shoe. For example, if the running count is at +2, and you estimate 4 decks remain, divide 2 by 4 to get a true count of +0.5.
Deciphering the Highly Optimum Card Counting System
Soar back in time half a century to 1968. That was the year Charles Einstein, having been enthralled by the publication of the classic Hi-Lo card count in Edward O. Thorp‘s epic guide to blackjack strategy, Beat the Dealer, went to work to perfect the original point-count system. That was the year the Einstein Count was born.
He may have been a bit hasty in the promotion of this new counting method, though. It wasn’t long before a pair of mathematicians, Lance Humble and Carl Cooper—appreciating Charles’s ability to tweak Thorp’s system—decided to do a little point-perfecting of their own. What they came up with was an alternative count system that’s still in use today. We call it the Hi-Opt I Card Counting System.
Highly Optimum Card Counting System
First things first, you’ll notice the Roman numeral in the name implies this is the first in a series of point-count systems. This is because (much like the Einstein Count it was born from) subsequent minds of greatness came along and tweaked this version, as well.
There’s a Hi-Opt II Count you may want to learn more about. Being the more difficult of the two, I’d recommend starting with the easier Hi-Opt I before progressing to a more complex count, although for dedicated card counters, it will be worth your while, since it’s a bit more efficient and accurate in terms of betting and insurance correlation.
The Hi-Opt I card counting system should be very easy to practice. It’s incredibly similar to the Hi-Lo Count, if you happen to be familiar with that one. The only difference is that the point values given to 2 and Ace are both 0, instead of 1 and -1 respectively. Here’s how the point system works:
2 = 0
3, 4, 5, 6 = 1
7, 8, 9 = 0
Any 10 = -1
Ace = 0
As you can see, this is a balanced system. If you keep a running count through an entire deck of cards, start to finish, you should begin and end at 0. This makes it incredibly easy to practice at home for ease, accuracy and speed development.
If you find this point-count system to be easy enough, it might be wise to add a side count of Aces. It’s not necessary, but doing so will further increase the efficiency in correlative betting.
Hi-Opt I True Count & Execution
Being a balanced system, you’ll want to use the true count method to maximize its benefits. Converting a running count to a true count seems simple enough, but takes extensive practice to execute in live play. The idea is to divide the running count by the number of decks remaining in the shoe.
If there are 6 decks, and the shoe is about 1/3 empty, we can safely estimate 4 decks remaining. If the running count is +4, divide by 4 to get a true count of +1. This example is a simple one, but more often than not, the result will be a decimal, so make sure you’re up for the task before bumbling your count in front of a live audience.
Executing the High Optimum card counting system works the same as any other. Increase your bets when the count is high (more high cards in the deck / better chance for blackjack) and decrease bets when the count is low (more low cards in the deck / less chance of being dealt a blackjack).
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Soar back in time half a century to 1968. That was the year Charles Einstein, having been enthralled by the publication of the classic