Here’s a quick guide on how to learn to count cards if you’re tight on cash. Before I give you my advice, a word of warning…
As much as I like to promote BJA, you do not need a BJA membership to become a card counter. But, if you cannot afford afford a membership like BJA, it’s likely you do not have a bankroll to count cards. And without a bankroll, you’re just gambling.
Let’s use minimum wage as our standard. According to google that’s $7.25 in the US. Now, let’s set aside the fact that $7.25, is not a living wage.
So let’s say, the lowest you’re prepared to count cards for is $7.25 per hour in EV.
How much money would you need to earn that?
Well the minimum you’re going to be able to bet at a casino is realistically $5. So that’s the min bet we’ll work with.
You’d need around $4,000 to earn that while keep your risk of losing everything at 2% or lower. And that’s with good game conditions:
You could go lower if you can sit out of all negatives. I did this spread in a couple of minutes. So you could get a better one. But it’s not going to be much better.
Even if you had just an $800 bankroll, you could still earn $7.54 per hour. But your risk of losing it all is now 45%. An insanely high risk given the circumstances.
We haven’t even talked about expenses. Car/hotel etc. All factors.
“SCREW IT, I’M DOING THIS ANYWAY!“
But let’s say, you think you could get bankrolled. You know someone that would give you the money you need to count cards professionally, but regarding learning, you’re on your own.
After all, that was ME. I was a professional street performer, making a living through coins in a hat. If a friend hadn’t come along and bankrolled me, I don’t know what I would have done.
So for those of you who are determined, consequences be damned…
Best book on counting:
This is in my opinion the best book to learn to count (amazon affiliate link):
US: https://amzn.to/3TQAm2H
UK: https://amzn.to/3MHoM5Z
It’s very well written, and gives you a very good run down of what you need to know.
Related, this book is great for understanding gambling law:
US: https://amzn.to/4fMr3IT
UK: https://amzn.to/3Cbdq8m
Websites:
Blackjack charts and strategy (this whole website is very good):
https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/strategy/calculator/
Training apps:
Card Counter Lite – running count drills gamified
Anki – Flash cards app with spaced repetition
Blackjack & Card Counting Pro – Based general training app (iPhone)
Stuff:
You also should train with physical cards and a discard tray. Having a shoe isn’t necessary. Or a matt, although it does make things easier.
Get 6-8 decks of these:
US: https://amzn.to/3MJg1br (or even better, get used casino cards)
UK: https://amzn.to/3ZmCAKq
And grab a 6 deck discard tray:
US: https://amzn.to/3TsmOdw
UK: https://amzn.to/3XESH4X
You could also grab an 8 deck discard tray, but a 6 is enough for now.
Training:
Step 1: Memorise basic strategy for S17, H17 complete with surrender via the Anki app. (After that, train via the app to see if you make any mistakes)
Step 2: Learn hi-lo for the running count, and be able to deal down a single deck in less than 25 minutes, keeping the count.
Step 3: Learn deck estimation (whole decks is fine for now)
Step 4: Learn true count conversion so you can do it relatively quickly.
Step 5: Practice keeping the running count while playing perfect basic strategy.
Step 6: Once you can do that, add in true count conversion.
Step 7: Learn the Illustrious 18 deviations.
There ya go, a very brief collection of resources and general overview of how to count cards on a budget.
Cheers,
Steven