There are very few games at the casino where a good playing strategy can reduce and even eliminate the edge enjoyed by the house, but blackjack is one such game. There are proven card counting strategies that can eliminate the edge in favor of the house and help the player enjoy a winning day at either the virtual or real work blackjack tables.

Of course the most well known, and most effective, way for blackjack players to tip the odds in their favor is to count cards. Card counting, of course is not as easy, or as straightforward, as many people think. After all, casinos know about card counting too, and they are constantly taking steps to reduce the effectiveness of the strategy. From using multiple decks or cards to using automatic shufflers, casinos are always trying to defeat card counters, and good players are always learning new methods and new strategies.

The simplest way to count cards is simply to keep a running count in your head as each new card is dealt from the deck. This running count will help the player determine the odds of the cards they need being the next to emerge from the deck. While this strategy is pretty easy on single deck blackjack tables, it becomes increasingly difficult as the number of decks used in the game increases. Smart blackjack players actively seek out single deck tables, as these tables naturally produce the best odds and the greatest edge to the skillful card counter.

Of course the running count does not tell the whole story, even on single deck blackjack tables. It is important to know the true count in order to produce an effective betting strategy. Simply put, the true count is the running count divided by the number of decks of cards that have not yet been dealt. This true count will provide a better reflection of how favorable the remaining cards will be.