Gamblers have been fascinated by card counting ever since Edward Thorp shared his secrets through the 1962 book Beat the Dealer. This advantage-play technique has only gained further popularity over the years thanks to the MIT Blackjack Team’s efforts.

Card counting is an exciting prospect because you can win lots of money. Both Thorp and the MIT Blackjack Team are prime examples of this.

But before you start earning big profits like these blackjack legends, you must first choose a counting system.

Blackjack card counting is illegal. Because of the way that mass media presents blackjack card. KO Counting System: This system works like Hi-Lo, with an extra feature involving the insurance against dealer blackjack bet. It counts cards two through seven as +1, eight and nine as neutral and 10 through ace as -1. You should increase your bet at +2 or more (based on the true count). For a more balanced technique, the Omega II system is perfect. It uses 0 as its base. A positive count means there were more low cards in the deck and a negative count means the deck consisted of more high cards. Cards 2, 3 and 7 are assigned the value of 1. Cards 4, 5 and 6 are assigned the value of 2. Some of the best blackjack card counting systems besides the hi-lo running count and true count include the Ace/Five and KO systems. Card counting may not be for everyone because it takes practice, bankroll management, emotional control and ability to avoid detection from the casino.

This is easier said than done, given that there are over one hundred card systems floating around. These strategies differ based on what kind of advantage they give you and how complicated they are.

Obviously, you don’t want to jump into the most difficult system if you’re new to card counting. Instead, a beginner-friendly strategy will help you learn this process with the minimum degree of difficulty.

Keep reading as I cover three of the easiest blackjack card counting systems for beginners. But first, let’s look at the basics behind counting cards.

What’s the General Basis Behind Card Counting?

Many gamblers like blackjack because it offers a chance to use extensive strategy to improve your winnings. Depending on the rules, you can lower the blackjack house edge to under 1% with good strategy.

But the key here is that the casino still has an advantage over those who use basic blackjack strategy. This is where card counting comes into play, because this strategy gives you the advantage and can lead to long-term profits.

The underlying goal of card counting is to find out when the shoe is rich in aces and tens. The reason is twofold:

1 – You have a better chance of getting a natural blackjack payout.

2 – Your odds of quality double-down opportunities also improve.

Another positive product of card counting is that you can find out when the deck is high in low cards (2 – 6) and bet less.

Low cards improve the dealer’s odds of winning. The reason is because the dealer’s score must reach 17, and they have less chance of busting when there are more low cards available.

By keeping track of card values as they’re dealt, you can boost your chances of winning and potentially making big profits.

Of course, tracking cards in a bustling casino environment is easier said than done. This is especially the case when considering that modern blackjack games have six to eight decks in the shoe.

But just about anybody can successfully count cards with enough practice. And you can easily practice by using card counting trainers on websites.

Other ways to practice include dealing shoes to yourself while counting cards, or having a friend deal to you. I like the latter method because it simulates your friend being the dealer and you as the player.

Spreading Bets

Simply counting cards is only part of the equation to making money. You also have to bet more when the count is in your favor to reap profits.

This is referred to as “spreading bets” in card counting. The idea is to start at the table minimum, then increase your wager as the count goes in your favor.

The bet spread occurs between your smallest and largest bets.

Some systems have their own method for how you spread wagers during a favorable count. But the gist is that you must raise your wagers when the deck is in your favor, so you earn more money.

This requires a balancing act because wagering too much will attract the suspicion of casino staff members and potentially get you banned.

Experience and fully knowing your chosen card counting method will help you determine how to best spread bets when you have a favorable count.

3 Systems that Beginning Card Counters should Use

1 – OPP System

I begin with the OPP card counting system since it’s extremely easy to use. In fact, virtually any new blackjack player can quickly learn and understand this system.

The main thing you need to do with the OPP strategy is track low cards. You add one to your count whenever a low card is dealt and subtract one for every hand in play (including the dealer).

Low cards being dealt works to your advantage, because this means there are fewer cards that’ll help the dealer.

Here’s an example of how to use this strategy:

• You start the shoe with a +6 count.
• You subtract one (- 1) for every player dealt into the hand, including the dealer.
• You add one (+1) for every low card that’s dealt.
• The goal is to bet more when the count goes higher into the positives.
• You want to increase your wager when the count reaches +12 or +14.

Here’s an example of OPP in action:

1. A new shoe is being dealt.
2. Your count starts at +6.
3. There are four players, plus the dealer (subtract 5 = count at +1).
4. Four low cards come out during the hand (Add 4 = count at +5).
5. Your next round will begin at +5 (minus number of players in the hand).

This is referred to as an “unbalanced” counting system because the count doesn’t end at zero when the shoe has been dealt. Going further, you don’t have to account for how many decks are in the shoe with an unbalanced system.

This differs from the Hi-Lo strategy (discussed next), where you must factor in the remaining decks to determine your “true count.”

Another great thing about the OPP system is that you don’t have to track high cards (A to 10) or neutral cards (7 to 9). Instead, you simply count low cards and subtract the number of players/dealer at the start of each hand.

The only downside to OPP’s simplicity is that it’s less accurate than the other systems I’m going to cover. Nevertheless, it can give you an edge on the casino.

2 – Knockout (KO) System

The KO system is more complicated than OPP because you also need to track high and neutral cards. Another difference is that the low card category includes 7.

Here are the different card groups and how you assign them values:

• Low cards (2 to 7) = +1
• Neutral cards (8 to 9) = 0
• High cards (A to 10) = – 1

You need to track every card with this system – not just the low ones like with OPP.

Another difference between KO and OPP is that there’s no preset starting count (+6) at the beginning of a shoe. Instead, your count begins as soon as the first card of a shoe is dealt.

Here’s an example of the KO in play:

• Ace is dealt (count at – 1).
• 2 is dealt (count at 0).
• 7 is dealt (count at +1).
• 8 is dealt (count at +1).
• 4 is dealt (count at +2).
• Jack is dealt (count at +1).
• Count = +1.

This is another unbalanced system because there are a greater number of low cards than high cards. Therefore, you don’t need to convert to a true count with KO.

The lack of a true count makes KO simpler than the Hi-Lo system that I’ll cover next.

Another benefit of KO is that it’s more accurate than OPP. This gives you the perfect blend of simplicity and accuracy.

But this also leads to downsides, including that KO is more complicated than OPP and less accurate than Hi-Lo.

3 – Hi-Lo System

This card counting strategy is similar to KO, because you need to track low, neutral, and high cards. But the two key differences are that 7 is neutral, and you need to differentiate between a running and true count.

Here’s how you assign values to each group of cards:

• Low cards (2 to 6) = +1
• Neutral cards (7 to 9) = 0
• High cards (A to 10) = – 1

The Hi-Lo is what’s known as a “balanced system,” because the count will always reach zero by the end of the shoe.

The reason why Hi-Lo is balanced and KO isn’t is due to the 7 being neutral. This means that an equal number of cards are high (5) and low (5) with the Hi-Lo strategy.

Given that Hi-Lo is balanced, you also have to account for the number of decks remaining in the shoe. Going further, you must convert your running count into a true count.

Here’s an example:

• Your running count is +8.
• There are four decks remaining in the shoe.
• This makes your true count +2 (8/2).

You use your true count to determine how much you’ll spread your bet by. Here are the guidelines for spreading your wagers with the Hi-Lo:

1 – Determine a unit size (e.g., $25).

2 – Figure out your true count (e.g., +4).

3 – Subtract one from the true count (4 – 1 = 3).

4 – Multiply this number by your unit size (25 x 3 = 75).

5 – Your bet should be three units, or $75.

The Hi-Lo is definitely tougher than KO and OPP due to the added steps. But from an overall perspective, Hi-Lo is relatively easy when compared to the dozens of other counting systems available.

Other Easy Card Counting Systems for Beginners

Ace/Five Count System

Ace/Five is a simple strategy that only requires keeping track of 5-value cards and aces. You add one for every 5 that’s dealt, and subtract one for every ace.

The goal is to get a positive count of +2 or higher. You double your bets at this point, while only wagering the table minimum when the count is +1 or lower.

Here’s an example:

• Ace is dealt (count at – 1).
• 2 is dealt (count at – 1).
• 5 is dealt (count at 0).
• 9 is dealt (count at 0).
• 5 is dealt (count at +1).
• Count = +1

Given that Ace/Five only requires you to track two card values, it’s similar to OPP in terms of simplicity. But like OPP, this strategy isn’t as effective as some of the other systems discussed here.

But if you’re just a casual blackjack player who wants to gain a bit more of an edge, then I recommend trying Ace/Five.

Red Seven System

Red Seven was developed by blackjack legend and card counter extraordinaire Arnold Snyder. This system works similar to KO and Hi-Lo, except that there’s a special distinction made for red and black 7s.

Here are the basics of Red Seven:

• 2 to 6 = +1
• Red 7 = +1
• Black 7 = 0
• 8 to 9 = 0
• A to 10 = – 1

You can actually switch the counts for the red and black seven – it makes no difference. But the key is that you do make a distinction between the colors.

Snyder did this so he could create an imbalanced system that was easy to use with no true count involved. But he also wanted to make Red Seven more accurate than KO (black 7s being neutral).

Red Seven is great if you hate converting your running count to a true count, but still want the accuracy of a balanced system.

The downside to this strategy is that it’s almost as complicated as the Hi-Lo, yet you only get 80% of the same accuracy.

Ten Count System

Edward Thorp introduced the Ten Count System when he wrote Beat the Dealer in the sixties. Although not as accurate as modern strategies like Hi-Lo, the Ten Count gets the job done in certain situations.

The catch, though, is that Ten Count is designed specifically for single-deck blackjack games. And unfortunately, quality single-deck blackjack with 3:2 natural payouts are a rarity today.

Nevertheless, Ten Count is a good system to use when acclimating yourself to card counting. Here are the basics of this strategy:

• A to 9 = +4
• J to K = – 9

This is noticeably different from the three systems that I covered above. But Ten Count is still relatively easy for beginners to use.

Here’s an example of how you can implement the strategy:

• 5 is dealt (count at +4).
• 6 is dealt (count at +8).
• K is dealt (count at -1).
• 8 is dealt (count at +3).
• 3 is dealt (count at +7).
• Count = +7

Unlike some systems, Ten Count doesn’t have a defined amount where you begin increasing your bet by X amount. Instead, Thorp leaves it up to players to decide how much to increase or lower their bets by.

I suggest spreading your bets by five units or more when you have a favorable count of at least +2.

The advantage of Thorp’s system is that it’s easy. You only have to track two card groups and use two numbers for the count.

The downside is that this strategy is poor for multi-deck games.

All blackjack tables featured single-deck games in Thorp’s early blackjack days. Therefore, he didn’t account for the effect of removing aces from a six-deck shoe.

Lumping aces into the low card group is fine in single-deck blackjack because it doesn’t have as big of an impact. But this miscalculation plays a bigger role in the four-, six-, and eight-deck games of today.

Again, Ten Count is fine for practicing card counting. But it doesn’t apply to the modern blackjack world.

Is Card Counting Illegal?

A popular misconception is that card counting is illegal. This has been fueled by Hollywood movies like 21, where card counters act like their lives depend on not being detected by the casino.

The truth is that counting cards isn’t illegal. But casinos may ban you from their establishment if they think you’re a successful counter.

The easiest way for casinos to root out a card counter is by their betting patterns. For example, moving from a $10 minimum bet to $500 later in the shoe looks very suspicious.

How To Count Cards For Blackjack

Some players camouflage their counting efforts through the following ways:

• Make an occasional strategy mistake.
• Dress to blend in.
• Act like they increase and lower bets based on superstitions.

It also helps to research casinos to find out how tolerant they are towards card counters. Some casinos don’t sweat counters as badly as others.

Do You Have to Be a Genius to Count Cards?

The 1988 film Rain Man created the perception that you need to be a mathematical genius to successfully count cards. But as you may have gathered from these simple systems we covered above, this isn’t accurate.

Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman) kept track of every single card while counting in Rain Man. But you only need to keep a running tally of the card values to give yourself an edge.

As I mentioned earlier, nearly anybody can learn to count cards – especially with the systems covered above. Furthermore, you don’t need to be a genius to keep an accurate count.

Conclusion

The nice thing about card counting is that it’s not as difficult as most players think. You can quickly learn one of the systems that I discussed above and use it to give yourself an advantage.

How big of an edge you gain depends upon the exact strategy you choose. My favorite is the Hi-Lo, due to its combination of simplicity and accuracy.

But you may ultimately choose a system like OPP, KO, or Ace/Five because you just want an easy way to count cards.

Whatever the case may be, I highly suggest that you use one of the strategies covered here to give yourself an easy introduction to the card counting world.

If you’re on the prowl for a blackjack card counting system, it’s worth
considering the KISS systems. One of the nice things about these systems is that
you don’t have to use a running count. If you’ve studied any other card counting
system and are not a fan of needing to do division to calculate a true count,
you’ll love these systems.

With the KISS systems of counting cards, you’ll have the ability to choose
between three different options. While each of them has some similarities, there
are also some key differences that differentiate them from one another. Below,
we’ll be sure to fill you in on exactly what makes each one of these card
counting systems unique.

On this page, you’re going to find a complete collection of all the details
you need to know about the KISS systems. We’ll start things off by giving you a
high-level overview of the systems in general, followed by each one
individually. After that, we’ll talk about how you can practice using the KISS

systems and how you can avoid being flagged as a card counter in the casino.
To close things out, we’ve also included sections filled with some additional
blackjack related resources and an FAQ section.

Below, we’ve included links to all of the sections covered on this page. If
you’re looking to learn about one of the specific KISS systems or something
else, you can use these links to navigate to those portions of the page quickly.
However, if your goal is to learn the most possible about the KISS systems for
blackjack card counting, consider reading this entire page.

Understanding the Basics of the KISS Systems

Before we get into the detail on each one of the individual KISS systems, we
wanted to start with a section focused on the fundamentals that apply to all
three of them. If you’re new to the KISS systems, this next section is crucial
for you to learn the basics that you need to know to understand these card
counting systems correctly.

Running Count

The main thing you need to learn with all the KISS systems is the idea of a
running count. Each card that you see in play on the table will have a value
associated with it. Each card will be worth 0, 1, or -1. We’ll get into more
details on that below in the individual sections.

With a running count, you’ll then need to add those card values together.
Your goal is to keep one running total amount. It’s this value that’s called the
running count, and you’ll use it to help you size your bets and make other
blackjack decisions.

You’ll keep this running count going until the deck of cards is shuffled.
Once that happens, you’ll reset your count to zero and begin again since you’ll
be establishing patterns for a new set of cards.

True Count

If you’ve studied or used other card counting systems, you might be familiar
with the idea of a true count. For some card counting systems, you have to use a
true count to account for the number of decks left in play. However, the
remarkable thing about all three of the KISS systems is that none of them
require you to have a true count calculation. Instead, you’ll just work with
your running count mentioned above.

Implications

The goal of all three KISS systems is to help you to identify when to bet
more on your blackjack hands. Whenever your running count is low or negative,
that implies you’re unlikely to get a blackjack. In these scenarios, you’ll want
to bet the smallest amount of money possible. On the flip side, whenever you
have a high running count, that’s the KISS system’s way of letting you know you
have an excellent chance at scoring a blackjack. In these scenarios, you’ll want
to bet more money in the hopes that you’ll score the larger 3:2 payout from a
blackjack.

The KISS 1 System

The KISS 1 card counting system is the easiest of the three KISS options. The
reason that it’s the easiest is that with this system, you have to track the
fewest number of cards. Below, we’ve included a list that showcases how you
can do a running count with the KISS 1 system.

• Start with a count of 0
• When you see a K, Q, or J: Subtract 1 from your running
  count
• When you see a 4, 5, or 6: Add 1 to your running count
• When you see a black 2: Add 1 to your running count
• When you see an A, red 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 or 10: Do nothing
  (worth 0)

As you can see, it’s just a total of two different cards that you have to
track as they appear on the table. As long as you can keep an eye on those and
know their associated values shown above, you can begin to use this system to
count cards in a short amount of time. As a reminder, since this is an
unbalanced system, there is no need for you to convert to a running count like
some other card counting systems.

The KISS 2 System

If you’re looking for a slightly more complicated and advanced card counting
system, you might check out the KISS 2 card counting system. Compared to the
KISS 1 system above, this one only requires you to track two additional cards,
threes and tens. However, by monitoring these two other cards, you’ll be working
with a more accurate card counting system.

In the list below, we’ve included the cards you’ll need to track to do a
proper running count with the KISS 2 system. As with the KISS 1 system, this one
is unbalanced because you’re only tracking black twos.

• Start with a count of 0
• When you see a K, Q, J, or 10: Subtract 1 from your
  running count
• When you see a 3, 4, 5, or 6: Add 1 to your running
  count
• When you see a black 2: Add 1 to your running count
• When you see an A, red 2, 7, 8, or 9: Do nothing (worth
  0)

If you were feeling pretty good with the KISS 1 system, this one shouldn’t be
that much harder for you to put into use. For this system, and the other KISS
systems, don’t forget to reset your count whenever the cards are shuffled.

The KISS 3 System

Your final option for the KISS systems is the KISS 3 card counting system.
This particular one is the hardest one to put into use since it requires the
player to track more cards than the other two versions of the system. For this
system, you’ll also be monitoring aces and sevens.

If you’re thinking about trying out the KISS 3 system, check out the list
below. Here, you can learn the cards that you’ll need to track and know their
associated values for your running count. Be sure to check out the section below
on how to practice these systems so you can quickly learn how to put this into
practice.

• Start with a count of 0
• When you see an A, K, Q, J, or 10: Subtract 1 from your
  running count
• When you see a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7: Add 1 to your running
  count
• When you see a black 2: Add 1 to your running count
• When you see a red 2, 8, or 9: Do nothing (worth 0)

In total, you’ll have to keep track of 11 different cards with the KISS 3
system. However, if you’re able to do this, you’ll be working with the most
accurate of the three KISS systems.

How to Size Your Bets

Now that you understand the differences between the three KISS systems, let’s
chat about how you’ll use that information to size your bets. The beauty of
these systems is that you don’t have to convert your running count into a true
count. Instead, you’ll just use the running count to help you size your bets.

A good rule of thumb is to use your running count as a multiplier for the
minimum table bet.

If you’re at a $10 minimum table, and your
running count from one of the KISS Systems is +3, you’d want to bet $30.
However, if your count is 1 or less, you’d just bet the table minimum.

The above sample is just one idea of how you can size your blackjack wagers.
Some individuals do brackets where if their count is +2 or +3, they’ll bet 2x
the minimum wager. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how you’d like to size
your bets. Just remember that the higher your running count is, the more likely
it is for you to get blackjack, meaning you want to bet more.

How to Practice the KISS Systems

Now that you’ve got a good idea of the different KISS systems and the
differences between them, we wanted to give you some ideas on how you can begin
to practice them. With any card counting system, it’s a great idea to practice
before you try to use the system at a casino. If you can work through the
suggested steps below, you’ll be ready in no time to put one of the KISS systems
into use at a real money blackjack table.

Learn to Count a Deck

The first thing you need to do is learn how to count a deck. Above, we’ve
broken out the values associated with different cards. Remember that the card
values are different for each of the KISS systems. Once you settle on the one
you’d like to practice, it’s time to begin counting a deck.

To get started, simply take a full deck of cards and deal out one card at a
time. As each card comes out, you’ll want to think of the value of that card in
your head. Then, deal yourself the next card. Determine the value of that card
and then create a running count of the two cards values combined. Continue doing
the same until you’ve finished the entire deck.

Time Your Deck Counting

Once you’ve tried counting a deck a few times, your next step should be to
time yourself. To be an effective card counter, you’ll need to be able to count
the cards quickly to keep up and avoid detection. For your first time timing
yourself simply set a stopwatch and see how long it takes you to count the
entire deck. Then, record that time and continue to practice with the goal of
reducing the time it takes you to count the full deck. Ideally, aim to have your
future time under half of the initial time.

Advance to Counting Pairs

Your next step of practice should then be to move from counting just one card
at a time to counting two cards at a time. By mastering this step of
preparation, you’ll increase the speed at which you can count cards. Simply deal
two cards at once, sum up their values, and add them to your running count. Once
you get used to doing this, try timing yourself and aim once again to reduce
your deck counting time to as low as possible.

Include Distractions

When you’re ready to take your KISS system practice to the next level, it’s
time for you to introduce distractions. The goal of this step is to get you used
to having other sounds and things going on as you count cards. Since casinos are
traditionally loud and distracting places, it can be difficult to concentrate on
your counting if you’re not used to so much going on.

To get started with this step, just turn on the radio or television and then
practice your counting. You can time yourself once again and compare it to your
time when undistracted. If you’d like to challenge yourself even more, try two
or more distractions at once. For this, you can turn on both the television and
radio at the same time.

Grab a Friend

For this next step, you’ll need to enlist the help of a friend. Here, your
friend is going to watch you while you count to see if you’re giving away any
potential tells. If your friend can catch you giving away tells, it’s a pretty
good bet that the casino employees will too.

To get started, begin doing a count using the KISS system of your choice. As
you do it, have your friend watch your face and hands to see if you’re doing
anything strange such as mouthing your words or furrowing your brow. Ultimately,
it should look just like you’re watching the cards with no tells. Should your
friend catch any potential issues, be sure to work on avoiding them before you
head off to play on real money blackjack tables.

Count in a Real Casino

There’s just one final step left before you head off to use your skills with
your money on the line. This step is for you to practice counting cards using
one of the KISS systems while in a real casino. Here, you won’t actually be
playing just yet. Instead, you’ll stand back and watch the other players.
However, while they are playing, you’ll be seeing how well you can do keeping up
with the running count as the action happens in the casino. Before you move on
to wagering your cash, make sure you can keep up with the count for a real-life
blackjack game.

Use Low Stakes Tables

Once you’ve run through all of the practice tips above and are feeling
comfortable, it’s time to use your KISS system card counting skills in a
real-life casino. To get started, we’d suggest you kick things off at a low
stakes table. By going this route, you can iron out any nerves or kinks without
it potentially costing you a ton of money. As you gain greater confidence in
your card counting abilities, you can move up to higher table stakes according
to your comfort levels.

How to Avoid Getting Caught

Now that you’re up to speed on the three different forms of the KISS systems,
we wanted to give you some tips on how you can avoid detection while using them
in the casino. As we’ve discussed earlier, casinos don’t like folks employing
card counting since it can give them a leg up. If you can keep the tips below in
mind while you count cards at real money blackjack tables, you should be able to
fly under the radar and avoid getting caught by casino staff.

• See if you’re being watched.

  First things first, you’re
  always being observed when you’re in a casino. However, our point here is to
  pay attention whether you’re being watched more than you usually Should you
  have this feeling, it may be that the casino employees are catching on to
  your card counting ways. We’d suggest you take a break from playing for a
  bit to let things cool off.

• Play at varying times of the day.

  Another excellent way
  to help fly under the radar when counting cards is to play at different
  times of the day. This tip is especially true if you only have one or two
  casinos near your home. Instead of always playing late at night, try coming
  in at other times. The benefit of this is that you’ll spread your exposure
  out to other casino employees, so they have less chance to catch on to your
  potential tells.

• Play at different casinos.

  In an ideal world, we’d also
  suggest you play at various However, many folks only have a single one close
  to their home. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a variety of casinos
  available, be sure to play at different ones to mix things up. By doing
  this, you’ll have less chance that employees come to know you and your
  potential as a card counter.

• Play with different dealers.

  For those of you
  frequently using the same casino, it’s also a good idea to mix up your
  dealers so that you’re not always playing with the same ones. Once again,
  the goal here is to help reduce the likelihood of casino employees being
  able to catch on to your card counting ways.

• Tip your dealers.

  It’s also always a good idea to tip
  your dealers when you’re counting cards. Heck, it’s always a good idea and a
  courteous one when you’re not counting cards. However, when you are counting
  cards, you’ll want to tip since many card counters don’t. By tossing the
  dealer a tip here and there, you’ll be less likely to be flagged as a
  potential card counter.

• Don’t give tips to other players.

  While you should tip
  your dealers, you should not be giving playing tips to your fellow table
  mates. By doing this, it will instantly raise a flag to the dealer that you
  might be a card counter. Instead, keep your tips to yourself and focus on
  your card counting strategy and counts.

• Keep your spread small.

  Occasionally, your running
  counts might be relatively high. However, it’s not always the best idea to
  make a massive bet just because your count is that high. In general, we’d
  suggest you keep your maximum bet at 5x the table minimum or less. If you go
  much higher than that, you’ll potentially catch the eye of the dealer and
  casino staff.

• Keep your drinking to a minimum.

  To help your chances
  of counting accurately and discreetly, we’d suggest you keep your alcohol
  intake to a minimum while counting cards. While free drinks are a great perk
  of playing in a casino, they can also be your downfall. Try having just one
  drink an hour and staying with water the rest of the time to help keep your
  mind clear.

• Don’t concentrate too much.

  Some concentration is
  required while counting cards. After all, you have to track cards and keep
  running counts in your head. However, the goal of this tip is to make sure
  you don’t concentrate too hard. Otherwise, you might end up showing it on
  your face and giving yourself away to the dealer.

• Be sure to move tables often.

  Our final tip is to
  ensure that you move tables often. No, we’re not suggesting you move every
  five minutes. However, you shouldn’t spend more than an hour or so at each
  table. If you end up staying in one place too long, that allows the casino
  employees the ability to catch on to your potential body tells.

Additional Blackjack Resources

What you’re viewing today on this page is just a smidge of the full lineup of
blackjack resources that we’ve created over the years. Below, we’ve included a
sampling of some of the other blackjack related resources that you’ll find on
our website. To view more, be sure to check out the main website menu.

Below, we’ve included a link to our page focused on the best online casinos
for blackjack. If you’re not already playing blackjack online, you might check
it out to see just how easy and convenient it is. While card counting systems
don’t work with all forms of online blackjack, it does with some. Simply click
the link below to view our top picks for online casinos.

Blackjack Strategy for Beginners

Card Counting Blackjack Trainer

For those of you that are new to playing blackjack, you’ll want to take a
step back before learning card counting systems like the KISS ones discussed on
this page. While counting cards is a great strategy to use when playing the
game, it’s one that should be used by intermediate and advanced players. If
you’re a newer blackjack player, you should head on over to visit our page on
blackjack strategy for beginners. You can visit this page by clicking on the
link below.

Main Blackjack Card Counting Hub

If you’d like to view information about other card counting systems other
than the KISS ones, be sure to visit the link below. This link will take you to
our main page on card counting. It’s here that you can view details on many of
the other popular card counting systems that are available to use. Click the
link below to visit our main card counting hub page.

Frequently Asked Questions

We didn’t want to wrap things up without adding in some frequently asked
questions here. This section will hopefully help any of you that still have
unanswered questions after checking out everything else this page has to offer.
To see the answer to one of the questions below, just click on the question
itself.

Is it legal to use the KISS Systems for blackjack card counting?

Yes! Assuming you’re only using your brain to implement the KISS Systems,
you’re not doing anything illegal. However, if you use a device of some kind to
help you keep track of things, then you might be breaking the law depending on
where you’re playing the game. To stay out of legal trouble, never use anything
other than your mind to use this system.

It’s worth noting that casinos can ask you to leave your table or the casino
if they suspect you of counting cards. While it’s not illegal, they can ask you
to leave based on their house rules. To help avoid this situation, don’t miss
out on our section above about how you can avoid getting caught when counting
cards.

Do the KISS Systems mean that I’ll always win?

No. As is true with the KISS Systems and any other blackjack card counting
system, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll always win. The goal of these card
counting systems is to help you gain a small edge on the casino. When properly
implemented, using methods like the KISS ones can help increase your chances of
being profitable over a long playing period.

Is one of the KISS Systems best for me?

Since each person has individual likes and strengths, we can’t offer an
answer here that will be one-size fits all. The good thing is that there are
many different blackjack card counting systems out there. If you’re having a
hard time wrapping your head around this one, or it just doesn’t feel like the
right fit, check out some others. In the section above, you’ll find a link to
our main blackjack card counting page. Here, you’ll be able to check out all of
the other popular systems, so you can find the one that’s the best fit for you.

Can I use the KISS Systems when playing online blackjack?

The answer to this question will depend on if you’re playing traditional
online blackjack or a live dealer format. If you’re planning on playing a
conventional variant of online blackjack, then you, unfortunately, won’t be able
to use the KISS Systems or any other type of card counting system. The reason
for this is because traditional online blackjack automatically reshuffles the
deck after every hand. In turn, this eliminates your chance to be able to
establish patterns and know what cards remain in the deck.

Now, if you’re planning to play a live dealer variant of blackjack, you may
be able to put the KISS Systems into practice. Since you’ll have a live video
feed showing you the dealer and the table, you’ll be able to take note of when
the deck is shuffled. As long as the casino isn’t using a continuous shuffling
machine, you should be able to count cards using this system or another one of
your choice.

Which one of the three KISS Systems should I use?

The great thing about the KISS Systems for counting cards is that there are
three options to select from. As you learn about each one of them, your goal
should be to find the one that you like the most. Ideally, identify the one
that’s easiest for you to learn and practice. What you don’t want to do is adopt
a strategy that’s difficult to learn and implement as you’ll have a harder time
using it at real money tables.

Conclusion

We hope that this page was able to provide you with all of the information
and detail you were searching for on the KISS systems of counting cards in
blackjack. If you’re new here, our website is full of other great blackjack and
gambling-related resources. Simply use the main website menu to explore some of
the other topics that we can assist you with. Thanks for stopping by and best of
luck in your future card counting adventures!