The Knock-Out System of card counting

They say the idea of "knock-out" blackjack began with a saying by Albert Einstein "Everything should be as simple as possible, but not more so".

One of the biggest advantages of the "K-O" count is that you do not have to convert the "Running count" to the “True count" in order to know what to do. Because of this, The "K-O" count coupled with basic strategy makes the game of blackjack much more fun and profitable. While this system seems very simple, it is just as effective as any "End play" thinking, card-counting system. However, one of the biggest drawbacks to the "K-O" system is the fact that you are still using "End play" thinking. With "End play" thinking, you have to use "Jump bets"; one of the things the casinos watch for, and you can only win by playing for hours on end. The "Flow Method" of counting cards is much easyer to learn and use and is recommended instead of this out-date method.

The "K-O" card values are as follows:

2 through 7 = +1,

8 and 9 = 0 ,

10 through Ace = -1.

 

You are probably wondering how you use these values to count cards. What you do is you watch the cards as they come out of the deck. Just like other "End play" systems, the running count begins at zero and each card is added or subtracted from a running count as they are shown. For example, as the cards are being dealt out, suppose the first card is a 6. A 6 has a value of +1, so we start our count with +1. Suppose the next card is a 3. This card also has a value of +1. So our running count is now +2, (+1 and +1= +2). Suppose the next card is a 9. This card has a value of 0, so our running count is still +2 (+2 and 0 = +2). Now if the next card is a 10, this card has a value of -1, so our running count is now +1, (+2 and -1 = +1).

You continue to count cards in this manner all through the deck. What you are waiting for is a favorable “count.” The count is the indicator telling you when the deck has an abundance of ether big cards or small cards left in the deck and how much money you should bet before the hand begins. The idea is that when the deck is full of big cards, you should bet more, and when it is full of small cards, you should bet less.

The big cards help your hand because they increase the chance of getting seventeen or more in the first two cards and more black jacks.The small cards make you take hits and chance busting.

Because there are 24 cards with a value of +1 and only 20 cards with a value of -1 the "K-O" count is an unbalanced count. In other words when you get to the end of the deck you do not wind up with zero.

In a single deck game, plus 2 is the threshold "count" to begin betting more money. The higher the count goes, the higher your odds. This is a simplified version of "K-O" count. There are more elaborate strategic plays, such as, taking insurance when the “count” is plus 3, or more. This means the deck is full of tens and the dealer probably has a ten in the "hole" (giving them, with their face up ace, a blackjack).

With bets ranging from $10.00 to $50.00 you can expect to make a profit of $10.00 to $20.00 an hour. Of course, the more you bet the more profit you’ll make.