Now that you have familiarized yourself with the techniques of keeping a running count, you may take a step further and learn to keep a true count. The latter represents the running count divided by the number or fraction of decks that still remain in play. To keep a true count in a system such as Hi-Lo is the key to help you identify decent betting strategies, especially when it comes to multi-deck games.
The accuracy of your true count is usually up to you. It is you who needs to decide whether you will divide your running count by the number of remaining whole decks, or by the half deck, or by the quarter deck, as long as you can deal with all the calculations required. A more accurate true count will probably reduce the risk for a player, as he/she will be more accurate in determining the size of his/her bet (he/she will use different bet size depending on the advantage).
Using true count in single-deck games
In case you participate in single-deck games, the true count will always be based on fractions. Imagine that you have a running count of +3 and three quarters of the cards still remain in play. Then, your true count will be (+3 / ¾ = 4), or +4. In case half of the deck still remains in play, then the true count will be (+3 / ½ = 6), or +6. When it comes to a negative running count, you should use the same values but with a negative sign attached. Or, a running count of -3 and three quarters of the cards left in play will produce a true count of -4. It is not that difficult to evaluate one deck of cards to the nearest quarter. However, as you may not see how many cards the dealer’s hand contains approximately, it will be better for you to pay attention to the cards in the discard tray and base your evaluation on them. In case there are three quarters of the deck in the discard tray, that means one quarter of the deck still remains in play.
Using true count in multi-deck games
In case you participate in multi-deck games, the true count will be based on dividing whole numbers predominantly. Imagine that you have a running count of +9 and four decks still remain in play. Then, your true count will be (+9 / 4 = 2.25), or +2.25. Note that if your result includes a fraction, the figure should be rounded down instead of up. A true count of 2.25 or 2.50 means that you should play the hand as if it was +2 for a positive count, or as if it was -3 for a negative count. This way you will be exposed to a lesser risk when placing a bet and you will probably deviate to a lesser extent from your strategy. It is not recommended to bet it big prematurely and to deviate significantly from the strategy, in case the count is not proper.
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Since in multi-deck games a greater number of cards are dealt, it may be a key moment for a player to examine the discard tray in order to estimate the cards left in play. To have a running count of +8 in a game with 5 decks left to play is different, than having the same running count in a game with 2 decks left to play. At times, you may find it not that easy to determine the number of cards, which are left in the shoe, because they are at a sloped angle and will usually spread out in the shoe as one removes them.
Running Count Keeping Hints
Learning to Keep a True Count
True Count Drills
Fab Four Basic Strategy Variation
The Illustrious 18
There are even casinos, which put a lid on their shoes, thus, preventing players from approximating the number of remaining cards there. In addition, if you participate in a hand-held double-deck game, as the dealer holds the cards in hand, you will probably have a hard time noticing how many cards remain. Therefore, for the purpose of an accurate true count in multi-deck games, it is crucial for one to be able to estimate the number of cards left in the discard tray.
It is worth noting that some establishments will also put a cover on their discard trays. In case you come across such a table and you are still willing to test your skills, a possible way to estimate the number of cards, which have been dealt, is to multiply the number of hands with the inclusion of the dealer’s hand by 2.7 in every round. However, such an option is not recommended unless you intend to participate in games with a covered discard tray on a regular basis.
