It seems there are nearly as many ways to play blackjack as there are blackjack players. Unlike the slot machines, bingo, keno and many other casino games where the element of chance is in control, winning blackjack players can tip the odds in their favor by using the right strategy.

Of course the right strategy for one player may not be the right strategy for the next person, and it is important to use caution when implementing any betting strategy. The right strategy will be one you can use consistently, and that you feel comfortable with. Everyone has different memories and different levels of card counting skill, so it is important to choose a card counting strategy you can use successfully.

It has been proven time and time again that a skillful card counter can obtain and maintain an edge over the house, and it seems there is always a race between the casino and the good card counter.

There are of course many ways to count cards, and many card counting systems. Some blackjack players will keep a running count of the cards that have been dealt, and use that to work out the probability of the as yet undealt cards emerging from the deck. Other blackjack players will use the popular hi-lo system, which seeks to work out the percentage of high value cards remaining in the deck.

There are many reasons to count cards, and it will be up to each player to work out their own card counting strategy. There are entire books written on the subject, and many successful players have even come up with their own winning variations on these tried and true card counting methods. While no card counting strategy can guarantee a winning hand every time, these strategies can certainly reduce, and in many cases even eliminate, the edge enjoyed by the casino.