What is Surrender in Blackjack

Poker has been a male-dominated game for many years, but in recent times, women have made a significant impact and have proven that they have what it takes to compete and win. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most acclaimed female poker players and some of the key moments in their careers. Vanessa Selbst Vanessa Selbst is a former professional poker player from the United States and is considered one of the best female players of all time. She has won three World Series of Poker bracelets and has over $11.8 million in career earnings. She won her first bracelet in 2008 in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. She followed this up with a win in the $2,500 10-Game Six Handed event in 2012. Vanessa won her third and final bracelet in 2014 in the $25,000 Mixed-Max No-Limit Hold'em event. Selbst was best known for her aggressive playing style and ability to read her opponents. One of her most memorable moments happened in 2014 when she was the first female to ever participate in the $100k buy-in PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Super High Roller event. And not only that. She managed to rank third in the tournament. Annie Duke Annie Duke is another former professional poker player from the United States. She is considered one of the pioneers of women's poker, which is how she got the nickname "The Duchess of Poker." Now let's see what makes Annie Duke one of the most famous female poker players. Duke has won several high-stakes tournaments and has over $4 million in earnings. She's known for her strategic playing style and the ability to adapt to different situations at the table. One of her key moments happened in 2004 when she won the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, becoming the first woman to win the event. She won the tournament playing a $3,000 Omaha High-Low, defeating some of the best players in the world, including Phil Hellmuth. Duke had a bright poker career until 2012 when she decided to retire and focus on other ventures. Liv Boeree Liv Boeree is a retired professional poker player from the United Kingdom. She won several high-stakes tournaments, has over $3.8 million in career earnings, and is considered one of the best female players of her generation. Boeree is known for her aggressive play style and ability to make bold moves at the table. Boeree's first major tournament win happened in 2008 when she triumphed at the 2008 Ladbrokes European Ladies Championships with a $30,000 prize pot. She followed this up with an even bigger win in 2010, when she won the European Poker Tour main event in Sanremo, becoming the third woman ever to win an EPT title and taking home $1,673,433. And that's not the only title the "Iron Maiden" has. In fact, she is the only female player in history to win both an EPT event and a WSOP bracelet. Vanessa Rousso Vanessa Rousso is a former professional poker player from the United States who is widely regarded as one of the best female players of her generation. During her career, Rousso won several high-stakes tournaments and accumulated over $3 million in earnings. One of her most notable achievements happened in 2009 when she had four in-the-money finishes at the World Series of Poker. This memorable moment solidified Rousso's place as one of the top women poker players in the world and continues to inspire new generations of poker players. Jennifer Harman Jennifer Harman is a renowned American professional poker player. She is one of the few female players to have won two World Series of Poker bracelets, a testament to her skills and success at the game. In 2000, Harman won her first WSOP bracelet at the No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball event, where she beat some of the top professional players, including Steve Zolotow and Lyle Berman, despite having never played the game before and only receiving a five-minute tutorial session from Howard Lederer. In 2002, Harman won her second WSOP bracelet at the $5,000 Limit Texas Hold'em event, where she faced other professional players, including Humberto Brenes, Allen Cunningham, and Mimi Tran. With this victory, she became the first woman to win two bracelets at the World Series of Poker open events. Kathy Liebert Kathy Liebert is a former professional poker player who began her career in Colorado as a prop player. She quickly rose to prominence in the poker world, competing in tournaments and winning the first Party Poker Million event in 2002, the first limit poker tournament with a $1 million prize pool. Liebert's strong performance on the World Poker Tour, including a third-place finish at the 2005 Borgata Poker Open, made her the WPT's highest-ranked woman until J. J. Liu's runner-up finish in 2007. In 2004, Liebert gained a gold bracelet at the WSOP in a $1,500 limit Texas hold 'em Shootout event, becoming one of three women (Cyndy Violette and Annie Duke being the others) to win an open event that year. She also appeared in and triumphed in the series "Poker Royale: Battle of the Sexes." With several final tables of the WPT and her gold bracelet win at the WSOP, Liebert established herself as one of the top female pro poker players in the world. Annette Obrestad Annette Obrestad is a former professional poker player from Norway who gained international recognition for her impressive poker skills. She started playing poker at the age of 15 and quickly built her reputation with the online nickname "Annette_15." Obrestad is known for building her online bankroll through freerolls without making a deposit. However, it was her performance at the 2007 inaugural World Series of Poker Europe Main Event in London that solidified her place as a poker sensation. With a buy-in of ￡10,000, the WSOPE Main Event attracted 362 participants, and Obrestad managed to outlast all of them, becoming the youngest player to ever win a WSOP bracelet at the age of 18. She played the final hand of the tournament one day before her 19th birthday, and her victory made headlines all over the world, attracting attention from both the poker media and mainstream media. Victoria Coren Mitchell Victoria Coren Mitchell is another prominent figure among the women in poker, known for her achievements both as a player and a presenter. She set a record by becoming the first player to win both a televised professional tournament (EPT London 2006) and a celebrity tournament broadcast on television in 2005 (Celebrity Poker Club 2005). Coren Mitchell continued to make her mark in the industry, becoming the first player to win two European Poker Tour Main Events (EPT London 2006 and EPT Sanremo 2014). As a regular player at the Victoria Casino in London's Edgware Road, Coren Mitchell has built a reputation as a skilled Texas hold'em player. Maria Ho Maria Ho is a professional poker player who started playing the game in college and was immediately drawn in due to the game's psychological elements. She quickly progressed from playing games for fun to playing high-stakes cash games at various Indian casinos. Ho has had several successful appearances at the World Series of Poker, including ranking 38th in 2007 and 77th in 2014, earning her the title of Last Woman Standing four times over at both the WSOP and WSOPE Main Events. She was also the Most-Cashing Female at the 2012 and 2014 WSOP series. In March 2019, she made it to the final table at the LA Poker Classic $25,000 High Roller tournament and won first place, reaching her second-highest live tournament score of $276,690. The following month, Ho made the six-handed TV final table of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Main Event, placing third for $344,960. Xuan Liu Xuan Liu is a professional poker player with over $2 million in career winnings, putting her on the list of the top 20 female professional poker players. She is also the only woman to reach the final table at the PCA Main Event. Liu started focusing on live tournaments in early 2011 and had a successful year, including a third-place finish at the European Poker Tournament San Remo, which resulted in a win of over half a million dollars and her first cash main event with the EPT. Between 2011 and 2018, Liu had over $100,000 in winnings in four different years and played in over 40 cash games, winning four titles. She was sponsored by 888poker until 2015, after which she started to make fewer appearances. Despite this, Liu's impressive winnings and successful performance at major tournaments solidify her position as one of the top female poker players in the world. Fun Facts You probably know Jennifer Tilly as an American-Canadian actress, but many people don't know that she is also known as a professional poker player. Tilly won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2005, beating 600 other players in the Ladies' No-Limit Texas hold'em event. In addition to being on the list of the best female poker players in the world, Vanessa Rousso is also a renowned attorney and has used her legal background to advocate for various social and political causes. Victoria Coren Mitchell is a professional poker player but also a writer and TV presenter. She hosted the BBC television quiz show Only Connect and writes weekly columns for The Daily Telegraph. FAQ What percentage of poker pros are women? According to recent estimates, women in poker make up less than 5% of the professional poker player population. However, this percentage is slowly increasing as more and more women are getting interested in the game. How many women have won the World Series of Poker Main Event? No woman has won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, which is the most prestigious poker tournament in the world. The closest a woman has come to winning the Main Event was in 1995 when Barbara Enright became the first woman to reach the final table, finishing in fifth place. Who is the best female poker player in the world? It's difficult to say who the best female poker player in the world is. However, some of the most successful and well-known female poker players include Vanessa Selbst, Kathy Liebert, Annette Obrestad, Vanessa Rousso, and Liv Boeree, among others. Has a woman ever won the World Series of Poker? Yes, a woman has won the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Barbara Enright became the first woman to make the WSOP Main Event final table in 1995, and she went on to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007. Since then, several other women have made it to the Main Event, including Vanessa Selbst, who won her first WSOP bracelet in 2008 and two more in 2012 and 2014.

Do you want to play poker like a pro? Then you've come to the right place. Today, I'll explain what poker tells are and discuss what you should do in different scenarios when playing against gamblers. What Is a Tell in Poker? A tell in poker is a change in a player's behavior, mood, or approach—a physical or verbal action that gives clues to that player's strength of hand. Finding poker tells is based on the premise that people unwittingly reveal their cards via observable behavior. A player gains an advantage by observing and interpreting another competitor's tell, especially if the tell is unconscious and dependable. Consequently, reading behavioral tells is possible only at live poker tables, while online poker players need to focus on unintentional patterns or actions. To become successful in poker tells, you must constantly evaluate the accuracy in the context of the situation at hand. Interestingly, a tell may be useful even if it's just under 50 percent correct. In this scenario, if the pot was $400 and you paid $100 to call, you would have won $400. Let's add that the only hand you can defeat is a bluff. If such an occurrence happened five times and you called every time, you'd need your opponent to bluff only once to break even. To put it another way, you'd have to win 20% of the time. If you were led to believe by a tell that there was a 40% probability that your opponent was bluffing, it would be in your best interest to call. Note the following fact: A player never bluffs, but he appears to bluff at the current moment. Namely, when you recognize the tell, the chances of him bluffing are far higher than when you don't. If you want to learn how to read people in poker, you need to follow a couple of rules: Don't glance at your cards; observe your opponent. Don't stare at the flop, turn or river in Hold 'em; observe your opponent! When the next stud card appears, OBSERVE YOUR OPPONENT! Tells from Unaware Players In this part, I'll go over common tells from unaware players Appearance Despite the fact that the vast majority of tells occur during play, we can gain valuable insight into our opponent’s strategy even when they're not involved in a poker hand. You should pay attention to certain aspects of each player's play for hints about their poker strategy. Well-dressed individuals, in particular, are more likely to play it safe. On the other hand, a guy with a tattered suit and a loosened tie is more likely to be in a gambling mode and play more loosely. Certainly, those who wear religious amulets and good luck charms or exercise superstitious habits tend to be more luck-conscious and liberal with their stakes than average players. Generally, women are less likely to bluff. To maximize your profit while you're against an unknown opponent, assume that he or she will play like a stereotype until you discover otherwise. Players tend to remember denominations (like Ace, Deuce, and King) better than suits. Stacking Chips Stacking chips is rarely used as a ploy. The neatly organized stack suggests that the player will probably play carefully and hardly ever bluff, so look for more chips on his big stacks because that's his profit. You may bluff by betting marginally more than his profit. When winning, players are hesitant to call, yet a bad call might cost them. After they enter a hand, don't play medium-strength hands; try bluffing them and calling less when they bet. Uneven stacks indicate reckless play. Such a player's approach is overly liberal, but he may profit from big hands with aggressive play. Call more frequently and bluff less. Sharing a Hand Sometimes a player will show his hand to a fellow player who has folded or a friend who has approached the table. Two-player hands reveal a lot about an opponent's hand. If the observer arrives mid-hand, he's the one to watch. He'll employ kindergarten psychology and act the opposite of the hand's strength. However, players are unaware that they tend to follow a trend when a hand is disclosed from the start. Usually, players with weak hands won't display their hands for two reasons: First, he may unintentionally show that he plays poorly. Second, the spectator may tip off his opponent to his poor hand, losing him the pot. If gamblers share the hand, it's likely good enough to warrant involvement. Strong players can utilize this tell to bluff. If you suspect that's the case, observe the onlooker. The best tactic isn't to bet or call without at least a solid hand. Glancing at Chips Players will only steal a look at their chips when they're contemplating a raise, and almost always because they have improved their hand, which is the most useful tell you can notice. You'll see it when you’re observing beginners, average, experienced, and even world-class players. First, be sure the glance isn't an act. When players focus on their chips while thinking you're observing, it's definitely an act. However, the pattern of gazing at the hand, then the stack, then away, practically cannot be an act because they don't know if you're watching. Poker and computer expert Michael Wiesenberg provides a correlated tell. Bettors may look at your chips before making a bet, which is rarer than checking your own stack. If the gaze is quick and short, it usually suggests the player loves his hand and is ready to bet. On the other hand, if your opponent stares at your chips long after he sees his hands, he may be bluffing. Sandbagging is the term for swiftly glancing at chips, quickly looking away, and then raising. Even if you are sure your opponent will bet, you can still use sandbagging as a potent poker weapon. It's conceptually identical to staring at the flop. Your opponent knows very well that the flop helped, so this studying is unnecessary. You won’t catch a bluff in these circumstances, nor should you bluff yourself. Other Common Tells Tell Strategy Players who ask for chips flamboyantly play aggressively and carelessly Call more often/bluff less often Hiding bankroll/wallet implies conservative play Call less often/bluff more often Leaned back/arms folded implies player is in no gambling mood, waiting for good hand Rarely enter a hand Leaned back/arm not folded, looking uninterested implies patience If you’re playing in front, play slightly weaker hands Stack scattered after a win, winner enters hand Very rarely bluff from scratch, give value to their hands A gambler shuffling hand indicates that the hand needs help to become very strong Use logic Uncontrollable shaking is a release of tension, not fear Fold unless you also hold a nuts hand Covering mouth with hand implies unconscious avoidance of examination Call with average or even weak hands Instinctive double-check for a two-pair or a suit in a hole Consider your own hand and play accordingly When a gambler takes time to enjoy a cigarette, he's not afraid of the call 60% reliable, fold unless you have a very strong hand Sudden interest (leaning forward/stopping the humming) usually indicates a very good hand Enter with caution and don't bluff Opponent is taking his/her time on a tough decision Encourage the calls if you raised on strength hands. If you're bluffing, discourage the call Raising after a long hesitation is a bluff in 50% of the cases Call Lack of hesitation implies the hand didn’t improve Bet accordingly Closely protected hands are usually strong If this player opens, pass with all borderline hands Closely protected hands are usually strong If you hold a strong hand, check rather than open, knowing this player will open for you Tells from Actors Before using an actor's tells, you need to be pretty sure that he's acting and not just unaware. It's probably an act if the player has a reason to think you might be recognizing a certain behavior, and he would benefit from you being wrong. Undoubtedly, strong players are less likely to give you tells. Not only would they withhold the most common poker tells world-class players often try to trick by turning some of the more obvious tells around. Weak Means Strong If poker players can persuade you that they have a bad hand when they have a great hand, they'll win a few extra calls. Strong hands are why players go to great lengths to look weak. No player who actually holds a weak hand would ever disclose that. Neither would you expect a bluffer to admit he's bluffing. It's because they're strong that they act weak. The Shrug Shrugging and then raising the poker player is suggesting he's unsure about the bet and that his hand could be a lot stronger. Don't take the bait here. There's only one reason he would do this - he has a near-certain winner on his hands. The best strategy is to call only with strong hands; call with the majority of hands you would generally raise with and don't bluff. The Look Away Those who glance away from the action are more threatening than those who maintain an eye on the bettors. They don't want to do anything to discourage the bet, so be ready for a raise. There are no two ways to do this, so make sure your hand is strong before putting any additional money into this pot. If you raised first, you might want to consider abandoning your bet. Furthermore, the quick look away after seeing the flop is even more telling. Only play excellent hands and fold any that you believe might be mildly advantageous. If you have a strong hand, allow your adversary to do the betting for you, and dare not bluff. The Discard Those who act like they're going to fold their hole cards before the action reaches them are a threat. Why are they doing this if they're not attempting to deceive you? Essentially it's a double move — a player tells the opponent in front that he can raise, and he encourages those behind to call. However powerful your hand may be, it's best to let the opponent bet on your behalf. The Hesitation With the long hesitation, the goal is to make the initial bettor think that raising is a difficult choice. His lengthy delay is an attempt to make you believe his raise is weak. When a player does nothing to prevent a big bet, thinks for a long time, and then makes a big raise, it's unlikely that he's bluffing. If you're willing to part with some nice hands, you'll come out ahead here. What you save by not calling is real money, and you stay in the game waiting for the right opportunity. Strong Means Weak In terms of dollars, catching players who are acting strong is even more valuable. When you determine that a player is acting weak, you'll often save a call, but the value is just a fraction of the total pot. Conversely, when you catch a player acting strong, you'll utilize that to make a call and win the entire pot. The Stare Players stare at a bad flop, trying to appear dangerous. By seeming interested, they want to dissuade betting. As previously covered, you realize that players who like flops tend to look away. Now is the time for a good bluff. Also, call more liberally since he's likely weak or bluffing. Players making eye contact with the bettor are trying to do the same. Another reason opponents keep an eye on your bets is to ensure they won't get short-changed. You may assume an opponent is attempting to act strong when he's only keeping an eye on your stake amount. Aim to elicit a call from a weaker hand by betting medium-strength hands. Bluff as a last resort. Reaching for Chips By grabbing his chips out of turn and looking at his cards, the gambler hopes to seem threatening and prevent them from opening with marginal hands, indicating that the outcome is a sure thing. In this case, you should open with any marginal hand, even those you wouldn't have considered. Strong players may grab the pot early to provoke a call. The rules change when a player grabs the pot while an opponent is passing. The bettor seeks to win the pot by removing an opponent's remaining uncertainties. Any player with a winning hand will let you call. Even with a weak hand, consider calling or raising to bluff. Other Actor Tells Tell Strategy If a player bets and then checks his hand as you grab for chips, he's bluffing Check/Call ‘Accidentally’ exposing means players are trying to convey strength hands Call Active player looking as if the pot is far from his mind, is a dangerous opponent Don’t bluff, play only extremely strong hands and even then, check Pretending to pass to encourage bets Don’t bluff, don’t bet and pass Keeping their hands off their chips to encourage bets Don't bet into or call without a very strong hand Looking at the bettor and reaching for chips to discourage bets Bet marginal hands for value. Think about bluffing, but be careful The player who gently slides his bet is hoping for a call Don't call without an extremely strong hand The bettor who puts chips down with a little extra force hopes for a fold Call/Raise if you can’t win in a showdown Sweeping gestures with outstretched arms are used to lure a call by using strange behavior Fold unless you hold a strong hand The player who looks and bets at the same time wants to lure a call You need a good hand to call Player won't look right at the bettor, but his eyes suggest otherwise Fold Looking away with eyes on the pot Don’t bet Verbal poker tells like sighs or sounds of sorrow imply good hands Beware Online Poker Patterns When it comes to gaining knowledge about our opponents, learning to recognize and identify typical online betting patterns is crucial in 2022. Bear in mind that online poker tells are different from those used in live games. It's important to know some terms used at poker sites: Tanking implies taking a longer time to decide A strange or typed-in bet is a raise in the odds amount, like $7.99 Instead of verbal poker tells, there's now a chat feature that should be considered Move Tell The Check Then Insta-Call Marginal hand, likely to fold if not improved Tank-Checking Hoping to see another card Tank-Calling Quite possibly a fairly strong hand Big raise after Tank Possibly nuts Massive Overbet Rarely a bluff Strange amount bets Value bets, not bluffing Complaining about lost hand Play often against this player Talker goes quiet Watch out Buying in for Unusual Amounts Be involved in hands against these players Conclusion If your goal is to play poker successfully, don't jump to conclusions right away when you spot poker tells. Instead, take your time and display uncertainty. By using this approach, your opponent will be less likely to change his behavior, and you'll be able to keep reading poker tells that your opponent gives. Finally, as the games grow harder, you must take advantage of whatever advantage you can uncover. You won’t improve your win rate if you disregard or don't follow what other players are doing.

Card counting in blackjack is a method for determining whether the next hand will be advantageous to the player or the dealer. Card counters aim to keep count of both high and low-value cards to minimize the house edge as much as possible. This practice ultimately allows players to determine the composition of remaining cards before they are dealt and played, leading to minimizing losses. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you’ve come to the right place! Learn how to count cards in blackjack, and how to leverage it in our insightful article. What is Card Counting in Blackjack In a nutshell, card counting in blackjack can be described as a way for players to get an edge over the house by applying a simple mathematical equation. How does counting cards work? Simple. The practice of card counting is based on the basic principle that in blackjack, past events influence future events. Specific values are assigned to cards, and as soon as the cards have been shuffled and dealt, these values are counted while you play blackjack online or at land-based casinos.  We’ve listed some handy card-counting basics below: A player assigns a value to each card based on its face and number, either negative, positive, or zero. For example, there is a +1 count for cards 2 through 6, a 0 or neutral count for cards 7 to 9, and a -1 count for cards 10 through Ace. Counting begins at 0. Players will add value to the count as each card is dealt. Accordingly, if an Ace, King, 2, 7, 6, 4, and 5 are dealt, the count is +2. Face-down cards are not counted until they are flipped. The true count is calculated to determine the profitability of bets and is calculated using the running count. When a player is confident of the ‘true count,’ they can alter their bets according to their advantage. With fewer cards left in the shoe, the player makes more decisive wagers and improves their true count. As cards are dealt out of the deck, the counting continues. It is based on the count that betting decisions are made. It is ideal for a player to place a higher bet if the count is positive and a lower bet if it is negative. Running Count vs. True Count The running count in card counting when it comes to blackjack allows players to keep track of high and low value cards where cards 2-6 are attributed a value of +1, neutral cards, or 7-9, are valued at 0, and high cards (10, J, Q, K, A) are valued at -1.  A running count with a positive number does not necessarily mean that you would have the edge over the house though. To determine whether you should increase your bets, you need to consider the true count first. In general, a true count of +2 or higher is considered an indication of the player having an edge and that profitable bets can be placed. To calculate the true count, the running count is divided by the number of decks remaining.  Your advantage increases as the true count increases. Therefore, when the house has an advantage, or when the true count is low, players should wager as little as possible and increase their wagers proportionally. Tip: To successfully count cards in blackjack, be sure you start counting when the shoe is empty to get accurate calculations! Blackjack Card Counting Systems Blackjack players use various card counting systems and strategies, some of which are more distinctive than others. The level of difficulty of these varies from straightforward to advanced. The level of difficulty of the system should however not dictate which one you use, as several factors influence the applicability of the system. A straightforward system will be easier to apply in a simple game with fewer decks, for example. Each system is aimed at solving a specific problem and not every system will be ideal for every game. Next, we provide an overview of each to illustrate how to apply them. There are three main types of systems: Balanced/Unbalanced SystemWhere Balanced systems always begin and end in 0, and Unbalanced can end in Level 1 or Level 2, 3, 4 SystemWhere Level 1 values can be 1, 0, or -1, with the other levels being more complex with higher values included.Ace Side CountCounting and or keeping track of how many aces have been played. Hi-Lo System System Type: Balanced, Level 1 Difficulty Level: Beginner Ace Side Count: No Probably the most common and easiest strategy, Hi-Lo card counting is based on the basic principle of calculating the ratio of high and low cards left. More high cards would be beneficial to the player, while more low cards would be beneficial to the dealer.  Card values are allocated as discussed earlier, with low cards (2-6) valued at -1, neutral cards (7-9) valued at 0, and high cards (A, J, Q, K) valued at +1. As a result of the combination of neutral, high, and low cards in a deck equal to zero, the Hi-Lo strategy is a ‘balanced’ counting strategy where the count will always begin and end in 0. The Hi-Lo system requires you to calculate a running total of all cards played in the game, including those held by the dealer and other players, which is known as the running count. It is however the true count that will indicate the ratio between high and low cards. This does not have to be an exact calculation but can be an estimate. To explain the Hi-Lo counting system in classic blackjack we’ll look at an example: Once the dealer introduces a new shoe to the table, the Hi-Lo strategy begins. Since no cards have been dealt, the running count is 0. Once the first round of cards is dealt, players can calculate the running count by adding all visible cards (face-up cards) on the table. Let’s say there are five cards on the table, an Ace (-1), 2 (+1), 6 (+1), 9 (0), and a 7 (0). Adding these totals would give you a running count of +1. Next, to determine whether it would be a good idea to increase your bets, you need to calculate the true count by dividing +1 by the total decks left on the table. Here’s another example of calculating the true count: In an 8-deck blackjack game, you have a running count of +7. The shoe has roughly four decks left, giving you a true count of +1.75, or 2. Omega II System System Type: Balanced, Level 2 Difficulty Level: Intermediate Ace Side Count: No Bruce Carlson developed the Omega II card counting system for intermediate-level players, although today it is considered a complex system used by experienced players only. The reason a lot of experienced players use this system is for the accuracy it offers since it is a two-level system. Aces and 8s are valued at 0, cards 2, 3, and 7 have a value of +1, 4-6 have a value of +2, 9s are counted as -1, while the 10 and the face cards are valued at -2.  Since 4-6 cards are considered the worst cards in blackjack, they are valued at +2 and of course, the 10 and face cards (J, Q, K) are valued at -2 as these cards can get a player to get a natural blackjack quicker.  The fact that this is a multi-level system might make it a little bit more complicated to calculate as you play. As with the Hi-Lo system, a true count needs to be calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks left in the shoe. Hi-Opt I & II Systems System Type: Balanced, Level 1 (Hi-Opt I), Level 2 (Hi-Opt II) Difficulty Level: Intermediate Ace Side Count: Yes There are two Hi-Opt systems, Hi-Opt I, and Hi-Opt II. While these two systems are different, they are related and we’ll therefore discuss both here. Card values in Hi-Opt I consist of: 10 & Face Cards: -1 3-6: +1 Everything else: 0 Players must keep a running count while also keeping track of Aces. To make informed bets, the true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks left in the shoe. Card values in the Hi-Opt II system: Aces, 8 & 9: 0 10 & Face cards: -2 2 & 3: +1 4 & 5: +2 6 & 7: +1 It is important to note that the Hi-Opt II system is notably harder to master than the simpler Hi-Opt I. Since it is a two-level system, players have two card values to add and subtract by. 2, 3, 6, or 7 receive a +1 value. As soon as the players see cards 4 and 5, they must add 2 to their running count. In the case of 10 and the face cards, players need to subtract 2 from their running count. The value of an Ace, 8 or 9, is 0. As with the Hi-Opt I system, the true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks on the table. Wong Halves System System Type: Balanced, Level 3 Difficulty Level: Advanced Ace Side Count: Yes This system was developed by Stanford Wong and is also the only one that makes use of fractions. Here is a quick overview of card values in the Wong Halves system, keeping in mind that three values are to be tracked when using it: Aces & 10s: -1 3s, 4s, 6s: +1 8s: 0 9s: -0.5 2s & 7s: +0.5 5s: +1.5 To avoid fractions, players can double the value of ?. To determine the odds of winning, convert the running count to a true count. Calculating the final count after each deck would be a good idea. It’s easier to do this than to calculate a final count from several decks of cards. If you are avoiding calculations with fractions, remember to double the number of decks you would have divided the running count by. Red 7 System System Type: Unbalanced, Level 1 Difficulty Level: Beginner Ace Side Count: No As a one-level system, the Red 7 system of counting cards in blackjack is simple and easy for beginners to learn. The system works based on high and low cards and is seen as a variation of the Hi-Lo counting system. Aces and 10s are valued at -1, 2-6 cards are valued at +1, red 7s in the deck count as +1, black 7s are valued at 0, and all 8s and 9s are also counted at 0. Thanks to singling out red 7s, there is no need for players to calculate a true count. As with other unbalanced systems, counting starts with a negative count, with every deck of cards equalling -2. When playing with six decks then, you would start counting at -12. A running count of 0 indicates that you have a 0.5% edge over the house. When the running counts increase, bet sizes are increased by increments depending on the number of decks you are playing. In a nutshell, it is better for the players if the final running count is higher when using this counting system. KO System System Type: Unbalanced, Level 1 Difficulty Level: Beginner and Intermediate Ace Side Count: No Commonly known as the Knock-Out card counting system and is suitable for both beginners and intermediate players. This system was introduced in a book entitled Knock Out Blackjack written by Fuchs and Vancura. Like the Hi-Lo method, tens, queens, jacks, kings, and aces are assigned a -1, whereas 2-7 are assigned a +1. On the other hand, 8s and 9s are marked as 0. When all cards have been dealt, the final count will not equal zero, indicating that the system is not balanced. This also means that there is no need to calculate a true count. Unlike other systems, counting does not start at 0, but the number of decks determines the starting count. When the game is played with two decks, the count would start at -2, playing with six decks means you will start counting at -20, and eight decks will have you starting from -28. If you play with a single deck you would start counting at 0 as with the other counting systems. Bet sizes are increased as the running count climbs, with lower bet sizes placed the lower the running count. Zen Count System Type: Balanced, Level 2 Difficulty Level: Intermediate Ace Side Count: No Another balanced system is the Zen Count, where the count decreases to 0 at the end of the game. It is also one of the simplest systems, and the cards are valued as follows: 2, 3, 7: +1 4, 5, 6: +2 8, 9: 0 10, Jack, Queen, King: -2 Ace: -1 Since this is a balanced counting system, players need to calculate the true count by dividing the running count by the estimated number of decks left. The Zen Count system is considered to be one of the best counting systems to help players decide when to raise their bets. This is due to the favorable correlation the system offers, standing at 0.96. Bets are increased as the true count increases, with a true count of 0 or less requiring a minimum bet size. Of course, players must also be aware of this steady increase to avoid catching the casino’s attention. Dynamics of Team Card Counting Team card counting is in no way a new phenomenon, with multiple blackjack card-counting teams trying to up the house all over the globe. The most popular blackjack team is without a doubt the MIT card counting team, a team that started in the 70s and is also the inspiration behind the popular movie 21. Teams use a variety of counting systems, but notably, the system used by the MIT card counting team is largely based on the Hi-Lo system, which assigns the same values to each card. As a result, high cards are -1, low cards are +1, and the rest are 0. The team also used a three-person team strategy that included: A big player, A controller A spotter. After the spotter verified that the count was favorable, they would signal the big player to place the bet. The team could beat several casinos and make millions of dollars within a short period. How to Count Cards with 1 Deck vs. Multiple Decks Now that we’ve covered the basics of card counting and explained some of the systems you can exploit, we’ll skim over how to apply your knowledge when playing single-deck or multi-deck blackjack games. 1 Deck Card Counting Using the Hi-Lo system, players in single-deck games only need the running count to assess their advantage. A true count isn’t necessary. As a result, you can spend more time applying basic strategy to single deck blackjack card counting. New card counters will enjoy single-deck blackjack games thanks to the simplicity it affords. With fewer decks, players have the best odds, and beginner counters can easily track their advantage. Additionally, single-deck blackjack has a house edge of just 0.16%. Online casinos sometimes add restrictions to single-deck blackjack games to tip the odds in their favor. For example, some rules restrict players’ moves and winnings, such as limiting re-splits and letting the dealer hit on a soft 17. Counting Cards with Multiple Deck Games Learning how to count cards in blackjack with multiple decks can seem tricky, especially since players have to keep track of both the running and the true count. This can be done using a balanced counting system like Hi-Lo. Using the true count, every card counting system can be used in blackjack, regardless of the number of decks. You can adjust your bets accordingly when you know how many high-value cards are left in the shoe. To calculate the true count, the running count is divided by the number of decks on the table, which will give you an indication of the total number of high cards left. Let’s look at a practical example: If you are playing with six decks, and you have a running count of +12, the true count will be two (12 ÷ 6 = 2), indicating two high cards left per deck. Where this calculation might get tricky is keeping track of the number of decks left on the table—keeping in mind that the importance of an accurate true count increases as the number of decks left decreases. How Casinos Try To Prevent Card Counting While card counting at land-based casinos is common, and certainly not illegal, one cannot help but wonder whether or not it is possible to count cards online. Can you count cards in online blackjack? Yes, it is possible! It is, however, extremely difficult. Online casinos use the following methods to reduce or eliminate a card counter’s advantage in live blackjack: CSMs (Continuous Shuffling Machines): It is impossible for players to count cards when the dealer is using these devices. Decks (typically between 3-5) are constantly shuffled, making it impossible to calculate the variance between high and low value cards left. Deck Penetration: Referring to the distribution of cards dealt before reshuffling, deck penetration is a cornerstone of successful card counting. In some online casinos, 8-deck shoes are replaced after 50% of the cards have been played, rendering card counting ineffective. Rounds Per Hour: In card counting, the general rule of thumb is that the more rounds you can play per hour, the more you can win. The speed of live blackjack games limits the number of hands played and the overall winnings of card counters. Blackjack Rules: A 6:5 payout or the dealer hitting on soft 17 can increase the house edge so much that card counting becomes impossible. These, among other game rules, are sometimes implemented to counter-act card counting. Card Scanning: Before adding cards to the table, dealers sometimes scan them. Then, the casino’s systems analyze players’ betting patterns and table cards to identify any counting. Look for online casinos that pay 3:2 for live blackjack, if you want to play live blackjack. Choose a table where the dealer manually shuffles the cards or uses a batch shuffler. You can still count cards with these systems depending on deck penetration. Lastly, look for live blackjack games with favorable rules. Tips for Mastering Card Counting in Blackjack Some players struggle to keep track of their cards when they combine card counting systems with basic strategy. Before even attempting card counting, players should know basic blackjack strategy by heart. Once you’ve got the basic strategy down, you’ll need to practice card counting until it becomes second nature. Below are some exercises you can try. Read the basic blackjack strategy chart out loud several times a day to ensure you can recite it without looking at it. Practice your knowledge of basic strategy by playing at home until you are comfortable with your level of knowledge and understanding. Next, you need to practice your card counting and reaching accurate running counts. Start by counting the values of a single deck of cards, until you’ve reached the last card. If you did not reach a running count of 0 you made a mistake. Continue practicing and counting for as long as is necessary.  Once you are confident that you can automatically calculate and keep track of the running count,  it’s time to put what you’ve learned to the test. Ask a friend to play with you, and play a couple of rounds to test your skills. Next, it’s time to see how your running count skills fare in practice. Visit a casino and watch other blackjack players play. Try to keep track of the running count as you watch. It’s essential not to attempt playing at this stage yet, you still have to practice calculating the true count! To practice calculating the true count, get your blackjack gear out and get ready to do some maths. You’ll need six decks of cards and 30 pieces of paper with the numbers 1-30 written on it. With an empty discard tray, pull a number from the ones you’ve prepared and divide it by six (six decks on the table). Continue pulling numbers and doing the division by six. Once you have done so about 30 times, place one deck of cards in the discard tray and all the numbered papers back in the container you are using to pull them from. Restart the process but this time, divide the number you pull by five (five decks on the table). Continue this process until you have worked your way through all decks. These practices should help you master the art of card counting. You can also practice calculating the true count by doing simple divisions while jogging or relaxing. It is essential to get these basics right before attempting to try them out in real games!  FAQ Is it legal to count cards in blackjack? No, while it is frowned upon, no law states that it is not allowed. The US and British laws do not prohibit card counting. The casinos, however, strictly prohibit players from using any external card-counting device or person to assist them in counting cards. In general, casinos oppose card counting and try to prevent it. Often, they ban suspected card counters from playing in the casinos. Some casinos, especially in Nevada, strictly prohibit the use of card-counting apps and devices.  How do online casinos minimize card counting? Online casinos complicate the process by adding more decks. Consequently, it is more difficult to identify the concentration of high and low cards left in the shoe. Casinos may also use Continuous Shuffling Machines, which makes it impossible to count cards when playing blackjack. Does card counting work in online blackjack? Yes, you can count cards when playing blackjack online against live dealers. If you want to know how to count cards in online blackjack, you can apply all the systems and strategies we’ve explained in this article. It is important to note that counting cards in online blackjack is not as profitable as doing so at land-based casinos due to several reasons, but more specifically, the pace of online blackjack games. Can team card counting strategies increase success rates in blackjack? Yes, it absolutely can increase success rates to play in a team setting. What could be especially beneficial from team card counting is an increase in the Expected Value or profit that can be earned, as this increases with the addition of shares in the overall bankroll. More players also reduce the risk. What are common beginner card counting mistakes? Among the many mistakes beginners make, not applying basic strategy is the biggest. Next is overbetting and not managing their bankroll effectively, and last but not least, making insurance bets thinking that it could have a positive outcome when there is a 70% chance that it won’t.

Super Bowl fun prop bets are an unusual way to add spice to the big game. Super Bowl prop bets, for those unfamiliar, are wagers on any specific occurrence during the game. But while betting on the winner of the Super Bowl is a popular option, another type of wager can add some extra excitement to your viewing experience – the player prop market. Super Bowl Player Props are wagers on individual players' performances in specific categories and are a great way to make the game more entertaining. Super Bowl prop bets are a fun way to participate in the game, whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for something to keep you entertained. You don't have to be a football whiz to participate in them. To make a forecast, you must consider what could happen throughout one game. Furthermore, the costs are low, and the return for a successful NFL player prop bets is substantial. The game is also an excellent chance for sportsbooks to offer Super Bowl-related bonuses. Fun Super Bowl Prop Bets Experienced Super Bowl prop bettors look for value everywhere, even in the most exotic offers. The national anthem's duration and the Gatorade shower's color are examples of such details, and even coin toss props have been available for quite some time. Super Bowl LVII also features Rihanna during the Halftime Show. You can guess the first and the last song, the number of total songs performed, her hair and dress color, and who will join her on stage. For example, Umbrella is the song most likely to be performed. But the payoff is minimal, with –5000 odds. So, if you believe she'll perform this song, you can try with Jay-Z appearing on stage with her. Those odds are –200. Super Bowl Betting: 2023 Super Bowl Odds You can bet on the game itself. The Eagles are –1.5-point favorites against the spread with –110 odds. You can also pick the teams on the MoneyLine, Chiefs at +105 and Eagles at -125. During the preseason, you could've picked the Chiefs at +1000, the Eagles at +2000, and even at +2500 at some betting establishments. Best Super Bowl Player Prop Bets Before delving into individual lines, exotic player props, and the best Super Bowl player props, here is a simple Super Bowl prop bet list of the most common player props. Quarterbacks touch the ball on practically all offensive plays, so those player props are the most attractive. Super Bowl Player Passing Props include: Quarterback passing yards over/under QB touchdown passes over/under QB pass completions O/U QB pass attempts O/Us First completion over/under Will QB record an INT during Super Bowl Race between quarterbacks to 200 or 250 yards Combined passing and rushing yards by QB Alternate passing TDs and alt passing yards The exact number of passing TDs Over/under and totals for players' rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns are the most popular rushing props. Taking Jalen Hurts 40+ rushing yards at -245 is a good bet. There is also a race to 10, 25, and 50 rushing yards. Common Super Bowl props for receivers include receiving yards, receptions, and the player to record a first or longest reception. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a solid playoff run, so if you think that will continue, take 50+ yards at +164. Total points scored by the kicker is a typical example of a kicking prop, while defensive contributions like tackles, sacks, and interceptions are standard examples of defensive props. Frank Clark has one sack in each of the two Super Bowls he played, so if he repeats that, you can get +124. Same-game parlay If you follow the NFL, you know what players are prominently featured in teams' offenses. So, if you think the Chiefs will win, you're banking on Mahomes and Kelce having a big game. On the other hand, if you prefer the Eagles, you should look into Jalen Hurts to go over rushing yards or to score a rushing touchdown. Sportsbooks today give excellent odds for these types of bets. Live Betting Player Props Although the game has begun, betting on player props is still possible. Super Bowl live betting approach involves keeping an eye out for developing circumstances to locate extra value on player props as the game progresses. Sadly, injuries are a part of this equation. So, if a starting offensive skill player suffers an injury, you can find value by reacting quickly. NFL is a complex business, and the next-man-up mentality is at the core of it. Best Super Bowl MVP Prop Bets The best MVP chances always go to the winning QB. Sportsbooks know this, so both QBs are given +120 odds for Hurts and +135 for Mahomes. If you want to play it safe, you can always go with the Quarterback. Depending on who you think will win, you can try other long shots. These are the best Super Bowl MVP odds: Travis Kelce +1600 AJ Brown +1800 Miles Sanders +2500 Chris Jones +5000 You can also take the field against both Quarterbacks at +260, or just bet on Mahomes and Hurts, so you don't have to worry about the game's outcome. Those odds are -380. Best Super Bowl Team Prop Bets One of the most exciting Props includes 1st Drive Result. Both teams are highly efficient offensively, but nerves could be an issue. That's why Field Goal Attempt odds look nice at +430. If you don't think the pressure will make an impact, an offensive touchdown can bring you +260. Other options are a punt at +105 or any different outcome of the first drive at +500. You can find other intriguing game props with team totals. The team with more time of possession in the game seems likelier to be Philly, regardless of the result, so that you can get that at -144. Chiefs, you can get at +116. The line for total net offensive yards is 739.5, so to hit the over, you're hoping for steady yard accumulation or one team's offensive explosion. Total points are always a good bet, but look at the alternates: over 46.5 at -199 odds seems safe. Crossover props Even though the Super Bowl is a huge player props betting event, it is not the only game played on Sunday. Additionally, there will be other sporting events. Crossover props at legit sportsbooks let you combine wagers from both categories. Some common proposition bets that span sports are as follows: The Super Bowl champion and the winner of any other soccer, NBA or NHL game Over/under player props for NBA stars against individual Super Bowl props, such as Jalen Hurts' passing yards. The night before the Super Bowl, the NBA has 11 scheduled games. Total points/goals scored in both the Super Bowl and another game that day, such as two Premier League games. You can bet totals between players. For example, Ja Morant vs. Travis Kelce: total points, rebounds, and assists the young point guard will get against the Boston Celtics versus Kelce's first-half receiving yards. Unlikely Super Bowl prop bets Super Bowl Props 101 is to avoid rare occurrences. There were only nine safeties in Super Bowl history. The last one came in Super Bowl XLVIII nine years ago. Another bet to avoid is opening kickoff return touchdown. That happened once when the best returner in NFL history, Devin Hester, scored for the Bears against the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. What is even less likely is the Super Bowl MVP being on the losing team. Chuck Howley is the only player to receive that honor after Super Bowl V. So, if you're looking to pick a Super Bowl MVP, you can easily parlay it with the Super Bowl winner to increase your return. Super Bowl Props Betting Strategy – Tips and Tricks While the spread and total are where most sharp bettors put their money, prop bets are a fun way to keep you interested in the Super Bowl Sunday game. Additionally, winning enhances the excitement considerably. Therefore, let's discuss the fundamentals for crafting a winning Super Bowl props approach. Watch your bankroll Hunt the best lines. Betting on anything, especially player props, necessitates access to various sportsbooks and the ability to compare the odds between books. One of the things to consider when trying to handicap a player prop is how often a player has hit that figure. You might look at a player's favorable matchup and solid projection and conclude that betting on the over is a no-brainer. Looking at the frequency, though, can give a different image. But matchups do matter, to some degree. Analyze the top and bottom five numbers and seek opportunities there. The projected edge is lower if a team's measures are closer to the average. Prioritize prop value over the type of prop. When comparing props, those with only two options, like over/under or yes/no, tend to favor bettors, while those with more tend to have higher vig. Remember that the Super Bowl is one of the year's most extraordinary sports betting events and that the odds shift rapidly in response to heavy action and early wagers. You will have to do window browsing online and move quickly when you see something promising. Lines change rapidly. Player props aren't as liquid as sides or totals, and when they're getting too much movement, they might suddenly even be withdrawn from the market. Also, lines are at their most pliable right after they've been released, so if you don't jump on them right away, someone else probably will. As lines shift in response to wagers, the market becomes more liquid and productive. Favorite NFL Super Bowl Props To sum up, use all the info provided in the guide part of this article. However, to help you out, here are some of the more popular player prop bets available and the logic behind them: Kenneth Gainwell – over 11.5 receiving yards: Gainwell stepped up in two Eagles playoff games. Primarily used as a runner, Gainwell got 160 yards on 26 carries, but he also had three catches for 35 yards. So, we need one or two check-downs by Hurst to collect on -115 odds. Gainwell carries the best Super Bowl over/under yards prop bets. Even rushing yards over at 19.5 yards is promising. Travis Kelce: Super Bowl Anytime Touchdown Scorer -135 odds: Kelce is the best tight end in the league. Even if the Eagles deploy double coverage, Kelce and Mahomes always find open space on extended plays out of the pocket. Parlay Travis Kelce Anytime Touchdown Scorer bet with 85+ receiving yards, and Isiah Pacheco 55+ Rushing Yards – +500 Fun Super Bowl Prop Picks You can find value even in some more fun bets. Philly special is still on everyone's mind. So, if you think the Eagles will do something like that again, or you believe Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who is also no stranger to trick plays, will call a similar play – you can bet any non-QB to have 1+ pass TD at +2200 You can also consider +1200 odds for any QB to have a reception, but keep in mind that Patrick Mahomes is still carrying an ankle injury, so this is primarily a bet on Jalen Hurts' athleticism. The efficiency of both offenses is already mentioned, so whoever wins the toss and gets the ball can score first and hold on to that lead. So, think about parlaying both teams to win the coin toss and the game – it's +300 for the Chiefs and +250 for the Eagles. Here are some more picks that qualify as fun Super Bowl prop bets: Any Offensive Lineman to Score 1+ Rec TD at +3500 Patrick Mahomes First Player to Reach 25+ Rushing Yards in +2000 Jalen Hurts to have 30+ rushing yards in both halves +650 Marquez Valdes-Scantling First Chiefs Player to Reach 25+ Receiving Yards +550 Super Bowl LVII and Fun Facts Super Bowl LVII will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 6:30 PM Eastern Time. Fox will air Super Bowl LVII, and Kevin Burkhardt and former NFL tight end Greg Olsen will debut as game announcers. Both franchises are relatively recent Super Bowl champions. The Eagles defeated the Patriots to win their first Super Bowl in 2018, and the Chiefs beat the 49ers to win their second Lombardi Trophy in 2020. [sigma-mt-blog-post-play recordids="541350,643778"] Super Bowl Prop Bets FAQ What are some fun bets for the Super Bowl? You can make exotic prop bets for Super Bowl 57, including National Anthem Prop Bets, Coin Toss Prop Bets, Halftime Prop Bets, TV Broadcast Prop Bets, Commercial Prop Bets, and Cross-Sport Prop Bets. How do Super Bowl prop bets work? Bets on something other than the winner or the total points scored are known as props. Prop bets can be placed any time before, during, or after the game. They can be placed on virtually any aspect of a game. What are the most popular Super Bowl bets? How many Super Bowl prop bets are there? From the more traditional props, such as QB passing yards, to the more outlandish postgame Super Bowl 57 prop bets, like the color of the coach's Gatorade shower, there are hundreds of potential Super Bowl Prop Bets.