Card counting is one of the most mysterious and least understood aspects of the game of blackjack. Contrary to what many people think, counting cards does not mean the player has memorized every card they have seen dealt out of the deck. In addition, card counting does not magically grant the player the ability to know which card will be coming out of the deck next.

While a card counter will be able to predict the next card with a high degree of accuracy if the dealer is down to his or her last few cards, in the real world of the casino no dealer will ever deal the deck down to the last few cards. The reasons for avoiding this situation are obvious; dealing down to the last few cards would give the players, especially those who are able to count cards, too much of an advantage.

This does not mean, however, that card counting is of no value, or that it cannot be done. Card counting can be a very profitable pastime for the blackjack player.

The basic idea of card counting is that the deck which contains a high percentage of high value cards like Aces and face cards, favors the player against the dealer. Mathematical calculations have proven this assertion to be true; a deck that is rich in face cards and Aces provides an important edge to the player.

Card counters use the strategy of betting the smallest wagers when the deck is full of low value cards, and the most when the deck is rich with face cards and Aces.

There are many different strategies for card counting in blackjack, and each player will develop his or her own strategy, built on his or her own particular talents and abilities. There are entire books written on the subject of card counting, and it is a fascinating study, as well as a potentially lucrative one.