Card Counting: The KO Technique.

If you already understand a little about card counting, you will probably be familiar with the equalised techniques, such as the Hi/Lo (discussed in the previous pages), the Hi/Opt 1, and the Hi/Opt 2.

The equalised systems of card counting are those which, at the point that the whole deck(s) has been dealt, you obtain a result of 0 on your count.

In contrast, the KO system is a card counting technique which is un-equalised; you will not finish the count on a 0 once all the cards have been dealt from the deck(s).

Explanation of the card counting technique KO:
The KO card counting system, also known as the Knock Out card count, is explained in the book Knock-Out Blackjack, and written by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. This system adds an extra card to those cards which are considered weak in the standard Hi/Lo technique, the 7 has a value of +1.

Thus, by using this system, you will finish counting the deck with a total of +4 (as there are four 7's in a pack). The un-equal nature of this system is purposeful; it means that you will not have to make the conversions into the real count that you would have to with the equalised versions of card counting.

Below is a list of the value of each card for the KO technique:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Count= +1 (24 total points)

8, 9 Count= 0

10, J, Q, K, A Count= -1 (20 total points)

In Knock-out Blackjack the authors have assumed that it is too difficult for players of blackjack to convert the counts between the real count and the count in course. In effect, they believe that it is too difficult to concentrate in a casino where there is a crowd and a lot of hubbub. The KO system of card counting was created in order to make card counting easier for the player.

The KO system of card counting is said to be based on a quote that was once spoken by Einstein "Everything should be as simple as possible, but not more so."

If you have tried to employ the Hi/Lo card counting technique and you encountered problems of concentration, making it difficult to master the system, then the KO method is for you, the difference in precession between both techniques is minimal and so you will not be losing much of an advantage by adopting this method.

It is a very good method to employ if you are just beginning to learn about card counting or if you do not often play blackjack. Once you have mastered this easier technique then you can move back to the Hi/Lo technique.

To reiterate: In the KO version you will only be concerned with the running count, there is no need for a true-count conversion.

Demonstration:
Once the cards are shuffled the running count begins at 0. Then you either add or subtract depending on each card dealt and by making reference to the point value of the cards as outlined above.

You are at an advantage when the count reaches a critical value, when your running count is equal or above the critical value then you will have the advantage. The critical value for a single card game is +2.

Once you have reached this critical value then you can begin to wager with higher amounts when you have the advantage and then lower amounts when the house has the advantage.

In a single deck game this is the only strategy you really need to employ to beat the house, but remember to be very subtle as the croupiers are trained to spot card counters.

Once you have mastered this basic version of card counting you can take up some side avenues for making money within the game of blackjack, such as accepting insurance.

As a blackjack player you will know that insurance is on offer to players when the croupier has an Ace on show. It is basically a bet as to whether the croupier's hidden card is a 10 value card. Normally you should never take insurance, but as a card counter you can take a much more reliable chance. You need to take the insurance when you believe the croupier has a ten value card and he is much more likely to have a ten value card when you reach the critical value +3.

Card Counting: Introduction. Card Counting: History. Card Counting:Is it Illegal? Card Counting: How is it Detected by Casinos? Card Counting: The MIT Team. Card Counting: An Informal Technique Card Counting: The Hi/Lo Technique Card Counting: The KO Tecnique Card Counting: Hi/Opt I & II Technique Card Counting: The True Count