How to practice card counting
Quick answer: learn the Hi-Lo values (2–6 count +1, 7–9 count 0, tens and aces count −1), practice the deck countdown until you can do it with no mistakes in under 30 seconds, learn to count in pairs that cancel out and to convert to the true count, and only then practice with noise and distractions. Before any of that, master basic strategy.
Before you start
Counting cards only makes sense if you already play basic strategy without mistakes. A single strategy error every few hands costs more than the entire edge counting gives you. If you still hesitate on 12 against a 3 or A-7 against a 9, start there.
And be clear about why you’re doing it: counting is a great mental exercise and the best way to understand the game, but it’s not an easy way to make money. We explain why in how to count cards.
Step 1: the values, without thinking
You need to see a card and know its value without translating it in your head. 2 through 6: +1. 7 through 9: 0. Tens, face cards and aces: −1. Practice with short runs until you don’t hesitate:
Try it: count these cards
2–6 count +1, 7–9 count 0, tens, faces and aces count −1.
Step 2: the deck countdown
The classic drill every counter uses. A full deck has as many high cards as low cards, so if you count all 52, the result has to be 0. Start slow and build up speed:
- Goal 1: finish at 0 with no mistakes, at any speed.
- Goal 2: finish at 0 in under 30 seconds (about 0.5 s per card).
- Goal 3: stop halfway through the deck and get the count right.
Drill: count down a full deck
All 52 cards come out one by one. Keep the Hi-Lo count. Stop whenever you like to check your count; if you reach the end, it must be 0.
Step 3: counting in pairs
At the table, cards come out two or three at a time. Counters don’t add them up one by one: they recognize pairs that cancel out. A 5 and a king add up to 0, so you ignore them. A 4 and a 6 are +2 in one go. Practice looking at two cards at once and saying only the result for the pair.
Step 4: the true count
The running count tells you how many extra high cards are left, but not how many cards are still to come. For that, divide by the number of decks remaining: true count = running count ÷ decks remaining. Practice working it out in your head:
- +8 with 4 decks left → +2
- +6 with 1.5 decks left → +4
- −3 with 3 decks left → −1
To estimate the decks remaining, look at the discard tray: rounding to the nearest half deck is good enough.
Step 5: table speed
Counting at home in silence is easy. At a table there’s noise, conversation, chips and cards from several players. Once you’ve mastered the earlier steps, practice with the TV on, while talking, or with a video of a real table. If you lose the count, don’t worry: you start over from zero after the next shuffle.
Remember: counting in your head is legal, but using a phone or any device at the table is not. And the casino can ask you to stop playing if it spots you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn card counting?
Learning the Hi-Lo values takes an afternoon. Counting down a full deck with no mistakes in under 30 seconds usually takes several weeks of daily practice. Doing it at a real table, with noise, conversation and betting, takes a good deal longer.
What’s the best drill for practicing card counting?
The deck countdown: you go through all 52 cards and the count must end at 0. It’s the standard drill for every counter because it tests accuracy and speed at the same time.
Is there an app to practice card counting?
Yes. Veintiuno includes Hi-Lo counting as an advanced module at the end of its course: a running-count drill at adjustable speed plus an explanation of the true count. This page also gives you two free drills that run in your browser.
Can I practice card counting at an online casino?
You can practice the mechanics; you can’t make money. Software-based online blackjack reshuffles after every hand, so the count is useless. At most, use it to get used to the pace.