There has been a huge debate over the years to decide which card counting system is best at casino blackjack. This really isn’t an easy question to answer as counting systems that suit one purpose may not suit another. When I operated with my first team then we used the simple high/low count. We used this for numerous reasons even though the effectiveness of it is often derided by many so called experts.

Firstly the high/low is a powerful system so using this system in no way devalues your ability to play blackjack to a very high level. One of the key areas in professional blackjack play is longevity and eliminating counting errors and the high/low system comes up trumps on both counts.

Also because the high/low card counting system is very easy to operate, it leaves plenty of room to manoeuvre with regards being able to utilise other tactics. What I am talking about here with regards to casino blackjack are tactics like spooking the dealer and looking for dealer mistakes and even going as far as to create those mistakes.

Another vital factor stems from being able to interact with other players and the gaming staff far easier with a simpler counting system. This is a pivotal part of the game that the would be “experts” miss. Learning and using a complex level 4 counting system does you no good if you get caught. This is the primary problem of playing blackjack for a living or even part-time for that matter.

Learning the systems and then using them isn’t too difficult. Even level 3 and 4 counts can be mastered, all it takes is more practice and determination. But there are clear and serious trade offs and many users of these systems fail to realise this. I could stand and watch a hundred counters who were using complex systems and I would bet that barely one or two of them were capable of counting so fast that they could interact with other people in a way that made them look entirely normal.

So my advice to anyone who is contemplating taking up casino blackjack seriously would be to use the high/low system. Firstly as a beginner then you will need a simple system anyway. Secondly the difference in power between level 1 and higher level systems isn’t as great as what many players think. Lastly you have other tactics available to you when you have “down time” using the high/low.

This is critical to helping you to look like a normal punter and not as counter. To be successful as a casino blackjack player then you must master the art of placing yourself into the shoes of the casino. You need to be able to see yourself through their eyes and see what you really look like to others. Every single action that you do when playing blackjack must be planned beforehand. When you plan something as well as this then it will be easier to follow that plan in the heat of battle during live casino blackjack.