Win More at Blackjack: Your Hi-Lo Card Counting Tutorial

Hi-Lo is a simple card-counting strategy in blackjack based on splitting card ranks into High and Low cards, depending on their value to the player. It’s one of the oldest and most reliable methods for counting cards in blackjack, and it’s an excellent starting point for anyone looking to learn about card counting.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain the details of Hi-Lo card counting, how it works, and how to learn and practice this strategy. We’ll also compare High-Low to other card counting strategies, highlighting some of its advantages and key features.

Why Learn Hi-Lo the Right Way?

Anyone with any interest in high-level blackjack strategy probably already knows a thing or two about this method. Not only is it easy to learn and use, but it serves as a foundation on which many other card-counting systems are built. As such, the Hi-Lo system is a great introduction for anyone looking to take their blackjack game to the next level.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, card counting is one of the only proven ways to beat the casinos and their statistical advantage. While the strategy takes a bit of know-how and a lot of practice, it’s also based on probability and maths and boasts a proven track record. If you want to learn the basics of card counting and what it’s all about, check out our card counting tutorial.

This article will focus solely on the Hi Lo card counting strategy. We chose this strategy because it's accessible and reliable. Done right, it can turn blackjack into a beatable game.

The Hi-Lo counting system is a great great stepping stone to more advanced strategies, but it’s also so practical that many players never feel the need to switch to a different system.

What Is the Hi-Lo Card Counting System?

The Hi-Lo card counting system is a card-counting method that is used to keep track of the strength of the cards remaining in a card shoe. Specifically, the method assigns values to cards based on how useful they are to the player. The more useful cards are left in the shoe, the better your odds of winning become.

You can then use this information to adjust your strategy. For example, you can increase the stake if the shoe is favourable, thereby increasing your profits. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though – let’s start with the basics.

The first thing to know about blackjack card counting is that some cards are more valuable to players than others. Specifically, Aces and cards with a value of 10 (10, J, Q, K, A) are considered better because they result in the strongest hands. Moreover, dealers are more likely to bust with more high-ranking cards in the shoe. You can refer to our blackjack hand value guide for more information.

As such, the goal of the Hi-Lo strategy is to keep track of how many 10-value cards are left in a blackjack shoe. However, paying attention and keeping note of every card that passes through the table can be challenging even for people with a great memory. That’s why a simple system was devised to assign value to cards.

Card Values in Hi-Lo Card Counting

The Hi-Lo strategy starts by assigning values to cards based on whether we want them to be discarded or remain in the shoe.

All cards are assigned one of three values based on their rank. Card suits are generally irrelevant in blackjack, so the Hi-Lo method does not account for them either.

2–6 = +1
7–9 = 0
10–A = -1

We’ll take a second to explain why these values work this way.

As we’ve already mentioned, 10s and Aces are the best cards for you as a player. As such, a shoe that contains more 10-value cards is statistically better than one that doesn’t. As such, whenever a 10-value card or an Ace are drawn from the shoe and discarded, the remaining shoe becomes slightly worse. That’s why any such cards subtract -1 from the current count.

Conversely, low-ranking cards like 2s, 3s, and 4s are considered weak. The fewer of them are still in a shoe, the better things are for you as a player. As such, the count increases by +1 whenever these cards are played and removed from the shoe.

7s, 8s, and 9s stand somewhere in the middle: they’re not particularly strong, but they don’t necessarily make the odds worse for you either. That’s why these cards do not affect the count at all.

The table below shows how every card affects a Hi-Lo count.

Card Rank	Hi-Lo Count Value
2	+1
3	+1
4	+1
5	+1
6	+1
7	0
8	0
9	0
10	-1
Jack	-1
Queen	-1
King	-1
Ace	-1

Running Count & True Count

Once the values are assigned, you simply need to keep track of which cards are dealt as the game progresses. Instead of tracking every card rank individually, we simply keep a running count of the card values we assigned in the previous step.

Keeping a running count is all about paying attention to which cards are dealt and keeping a “score” of their values. Here’s how that works.

The count starts at 0 when the dealer shuffles and starts a new card shoe.
As cards are revealed, add and subtract from it based on the values you assigned.

This is called a “running count”. The higher the running count, the better the remaining cards are for the player because it means there are more “good” cards left in the shoe.

However, we also need to remember a few important things. Most blackjack games these days use more than one deck. Counting cards in blackjack is less informative and less useful if the shoe contains multiple decks. More cards in the shoe mean that you learn less about it as cards are played through.

A true count is essentially a card count that accounts for the number of decks used at the table. It allows you to have a more realistic picture of the remaining shoe and how good it is for you.

To find out your true count, you simply have to divide the running count by the number of decks in the shoe. For example, let’s say you’re playing a relatively new shoe at a table that starts with 6 decks per shoe. If your running count is +6, you need to divide it by 6 to get the “true count”: 1.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Hi-Lo System

Let’s sum up everything we’ve learned by going through the required steps of H-Lo card counting.

Step 1: Assign Values to Cards – In the Hi-Lo system, cards ranked 2-6 have a value of +1, cards ranked 10 and up have a value of -1, and other cards have a value of 0.
Step 2: Keep a Running Count – Add and subtract the assigned values from the count based on which cards are played through.
Step 3: Calculate the True Count – Divide your Running Count by the approximate number of decks left in the shoe.
Step 4: Adjust Strategy – Whenever the True Count is high and thus favourable, adjust your playing in two ways:
- Increase the stakes – Whenever the True Count is at +2 or more, increase the stakes. The higher the True Count, the more you should increase the bet.
- Deviate from basic blackjack strategy – A high True Count also means you should make different decisions in specific circumstances.

Example:

Let’s say that the first 10 cards to be dealt during the first round are 4, K, 9, 5, A, 6, 8, 3, 5, and Q. In this case, calculating the running count would look like this:

1 – 1 + 0 +1 – 1 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 1 – 1= 2

This gives us a running count of 2. However, let’s say that the table uses 6 decks per shoe. This means that the True Count is actually 1/3.

As such, we’ll continue counting until we get a bigger advantage.

For example, after more cards are played, we reach a running count of +10. However, at this point, one deck is essentially removed from the shoe. This means that only 5 decks are still in play, so need to divide our Running Count by 5 instead of 6

This means that our current True Count is +2. This is generally considered a strong position, which is why we’ll increase the stakes.

Practicing the Hi-Lo Count

Learning how Hi-Low works in blackjack is one thing. Actually using it at a live blackjack table is an entirely different challenge.

First of all, keeping a correct true count going can be more difficult than it seems. You have to keep in mind that there will probably be multiple people at the table. This means more cards to track and more variables to consider. Additionally, skilled dealers handle cards with a lot of speed and grace, too, giving you less time to count them. On top of that, you have to think about how the count affects your strategy and adjust accordingly, and you have to do it all on the spot.

The most effective method to ensure that you can consistently maintain a True Count and modify your bets is through diligent practice.

A good Hi-Lo card counting practice uses multiple drills to help you become more proficient. With enough practice, keeping a Tru Count will become second nature, letting you focus on other parts of your strategy. Here are some card-counting drills to help you get started:

Flashcard apps – These drills help you practice keeping a running count by simulating a game, and then testing whether you’re correctly counting. The Counting Training Drill app is simple and free, so you can start there.
Counting through a shuffled deck – Simply run through a deck of cards while counting them based on Hi-Lo values. Eventually, you’ll start to see cards as 1s, 0s, and -1s. As you get better, you can increase the number of decks and practice maintaining a True Count as well.
Simulated games and tables – Set up your own blackjack game where you’ll be acting as both the dealer and all the players. The idea here is to practice your ability to quickly count cards separated into different hands in a realistic scenario. Focus on maintaining a True Count instead of playing “correctly.”
Back Counting – Back-counting simply means counting cards at a blackjack table without actually playing on it – you just stand behind other players and pay attention. It can be a way to practice counting with no risk.

Hi-Lo vs. Other Card Counting Systems

The Hi-Lo system is likely the most popular method for counting cards in blackjack, but it’s not the only one.

Two other common examples include the KO system and the Omega II system.

The K-O system is a method that attempts to make card counting easier by removing the need for a true count. Instead, you simply maintain a running count. Unlike Hi-Lo, this system also considers 7s to be a +1 instead of 0. This system is great for beginners, but it sacrifices a lot of accuracy due to its lack of a true count. As a result, you may end up with a less clear picture of how advantageous the current shoe really is.
The Omega II system aims for a more accurate count by introducing additional potential values. Specifically, 4s, 5s, and 6s have a value of +2. 9s have a value of -1 while 10-value cards all have -2. Everything else about the count is identical to Hi-Lo. Omega II is thus considerably more complex than Hi-Lo, but the increased precision can result in better outcomes. This system was created by Bryce Carlson in his book Blackjack for Blood.

The table below shows a summary of how the Hi-Lo system compares to other card-counting systems.

System	Difficulty	Accuracy	True Count?
Hi-Lo	Low (Medium in multi-deck games)	Medium	Yes
K-O	Low	Low	No
Omega II	High	High	Yes

What to Count?

It's important to note that many live online blackjack tables make card counting impossible because they shuffle their shoes at around 50% penetration. While this doesn't prevent you from counting cards, it means that situations with a high count will be extremely rare.

Tips for Success (and What to Avoid)

We’ll round our guide off with a few useful tips for counting cards using the Hi-Lo system.

Practice with real shoes – Almost every modern blackjack, online or otherwise, uses 6 or 8 decks per shoe. While single-deck counting can be useful for your first step, make sure to start counting multi-deck shoes as well. Otherwise, you’ll be caught by surprise at an actual blackjack game.
Start in free online blackjack games – If you’re new to a certain strategy, it’s usually best to start with risk-free games that don’t require a stake. Live dealer blackjack games and real-life tables typically won’t let you do that. That’s why it’s probably best to turn to RNG-based online blackjack. It’s not our favorite way to play the game either, but it’s the easiest way to get some experience without risking any real money.
Track the True Count, not just Running Count – Being able to accurately calculate a true count can make or break your Hi-Lo strategy. Specifically, it takes some know-how to accurately estimate how many decks are still in the shoe. That’s why it’s essential to start thinking in terms of the True Count rather than the Running Count from the get-go. If you don’t, you could end up picking up bad habits, and correcting them down the line may be difficult.

On the flip side, here are some common mistakes that beginners often encounter with Hi-Lo card counting:

Losing the count mid-shoe – Maintaining a reliable count during a heated game takes time and practice. As such, you’ll likely end up losing the count at some point. No worries – it happens to the best of us. Our advice is to just cut your losses and play out the rest of the shoe using minimum stakes. While you could end up losing out on a favorable position, it’s better than risking an unreliable count.
Betting inconsistently – Every card counting strategy requires active money management as well as counting skills. Remember – your count is useless unless you rely on it to know when to increase or decrease the stake. As such, you need to keep a close eye on how much you’re spending, and why you’re doing it. Most players only increase stakes at a True Count of +2 or more and keep playing the minimum amount the rest of the time. However, you may also want to occasionally switch things up for the sake of keeping your strategy secret.
Miscalculating true count – When calculating the True Count, remember that you need to divide the running count by the approximate number of decks still in the shoe. Estimating this number can be very difficult and requires practice – the better you are at it, the more accurately you’ll be able to gauge how good the remaining cards are. Our advice is to run drills until you’re confident that your True Count is where it’s supposed to be.

Is Hi-Lo Legal? (And What Casinos Think)

Many rookies are concerned about the legality of card counting. After all, advantage play strategies are frowned upon by casinos, and this includes the Hi-Lo system.

Let’s start by answering a simple question – Is the Hi-Low system for counting cards legal?

Yes, counting cards in blackjack using the Hi-Low system is legal in most of the world. Of course, different countries have different laws, but most of them consider card counting to be a legal, legitimate way of strategically playing blackjack. For instance, it’s legal in Britain and every US state. In fact, casinos in Atlantic City are prohibited from banning card counters as a result of a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling. Nothing you do while counting cards breaks any of the rules of the game or of the casino.

However, casinos still object to card counting. Most casinos and gambling venues reserve the right to deny service to players and can outright ban you from playing blackjack if they suspect that you’re counting cards.

Whether this is fair or not is a hotly debated subject, and it has been since card counting became famous. Either way, anyone who intents to use the Hi-Lo counting strategy will have to hide it.

Casino staff, including dealers and pit bosses, are trained to spot certain patterns associated with card counting. The most obvious pattern is increasing bets whenever the count is high, but there are other “tells” such as skipping rounds or frequent table changes.

Here are some tips for concealing your strategies:

Intentionally make mistakes – According to casino staff, more than 90% of players don’t even follow basic blackjack strategy. If you intentionally deviate from blackjack charts every now and then, the staff may assume that you’re less skilled than you really are.
Don’t bet too aggressively – Frequent increases and decreases to your stakes are one of the biggest giveaways that you’re counting cards. Don’t wager too much too quickly just because you have a strong True Count. Instead, increase the stakes in increments as the count grows.
Change the stakes even when the counting isn’t telling you to – Instead of limiting your stake changes, you can also try to behave like the reason you’re changing the stake is more “natural.” For example, you can try only increasing stakes after a winning hand or decreasing them after a loss. This simulates common player behaviour, hopefully masking the real reason you’re playing the way you are.

Where and How to Practice Safely

Throughout this Hi-Low card counting tutorial, we’ve stressed the importance of practice. Since blackjack is a gambling game, this may require more than just time and effort. Most blackjack games out there require you to put down some money as a stake. However, risking real money on a strategy you haven’t mastered is risky business, which is why you’ll need a safe place to practice Hi-Lo.

The easiest solution is to look online. There are plenty of ways to play blackjack for free if you know where to look for, though you probably won’t be able to play live or at an actual table. Here are some recommendations for ways to practice Hi-Lo card counting risk-free:

Software tools – Training drills and game simulations are great options for players who want to practice card counting for free. For example, Blackjack Apprenticeship offers several useful practice tools such as the Running Count drill and the Basic Strategy training drill. More advanced players can also use the Blackjack Combinatorial Analyzer to figure out how to adjust their strategy based on the current count.
Free blackjack games – Most RNG-based versions of online blackjack can be played for free in demo mode. These are basically computer simulations of blackjack games, and you can opt to try them out with imaginary money. However, be careful which version of online blackjack you pick. Many have unique rules and features that will make counting impossible, such as shuffling the shoe after every round.

We highly encourage you to spend a lot of time practising before trying to use the Hi-Low system in casinos. Reliably maintaining a True Count at all times should be almost second nature to you so that you can focus on other things, such as the count’s effect on strategy and masking techniques.

Summary: Why Hi-Lo Works Best for Most

The Hi-Lo system for counting cards in blackjack is a time-proven technique that has been around for decades. Although it’s not the most accurate or advanced card-counting system out there, it’s also reasonably simple to learn and convenient to use. It also accounts for the True Count, which makes it reliable enough for players to spot a potential advantage at almost any blackjack table.

Moreover, most other systems are at least partly based on the Hi-Lo. As such, it’s a great starting point for anyone looking to get into card-counting. It serves as a great stepping stone to more advanced strategies, but it’s also so practical that many players never feel the need to switch to a different system.

Our Hi-Lo blackjack card counting tutorial has everything you need to start using this strategy the right way. You can also check out our main blackjack page to find the best live blackjack games available and the top casinos to play them on.

FAQ

What is the Hi-Lo count?

The Hi-Lo is a popular card counting system in blackjack. It assigns values of either +1, 0, or -1 to cards and allows players to track the relative usefulness of the current card shoe based on which cards have been played through in previous rounds. The player is then able to spot this advantage and adjust their stake and strategy accordingly.

How does Hi-Lo differ from KO?

Most importantly, the K-O system does not account for the True Count. This means that counting using this system works the same way no matter how many decks of cards are in the shoe. Moreover, 7s in the K-O system count as a +1, while the Hi-Lo system counts them as 0.

Is Hi-Lo still effective in modern casinos?

The counting system itself is effective on any blackjack table. However, it’s also a very old system that is extremely familiar to most casino staff. Hiding the fact that you’re counting cards will be difficult if you’re using the Hi-Lo, especially if you don’t take extra steps to conceal your strategy.

Can you make a living using Hi-Lo?

Probably not. We don’t recommend relying on gambling as a source of income, even if you’re using a proven strategy like the Hi-Lo. Although there are high-level players who have managed to make a living through blackjack over the years, modern casino countermeasures make this extremely difficult or even impossible.

How do you practice Hi-Lo effectively?

The best way to safely and effectively practice Hi-Lo card counting is through free online blackjack simulations. While drills and back-counting can get you started, you’ll eventually need to learn to keep a True Count going in realistic, multi-faceted blackjack games. To do this, it’s best to practice with RNG blackjack games that simulate real game conditions as closely as possible.

Win More at Blackjack: Your Hi-Lo Card Counting Tutorial

Why Learn Hi-Lo the Right Way?

What Is the Hi-Lo Card Counting System?

Card Values in Hi-Lo Card Counting

Running Count & True Count

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Hi-Lo System

Example:

Practicing the Hi-Lo Count

Hi-Lo vs. Other Card Counting Systems

What to Count?

Tips for Success (and What to Avoid)

Is Hi-Lo Legal? (And What Casinos Think)

Where and How to Practice Safely

Summary: Why Hi-Lo Works Best for Most

FAQ

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