How to Use the Counter
1
Select shoe size — choose how many decks are in the shoe. This affects true count calculation and unbalanced system starting counts.
2
Choose a system — click the tab for the counting system you want to use. The buttons and display update automatically.
3
Press buttons as cards are dealt — each button adjusts the running count by its value. The large number in the centre is always the current running count.
4
Read the True Count box — for balanced systems this shows running count ÷ decks remaining. For KO and Red 7 it shows your position relative to the key count instead.
5
Ace button (where shown) — in Hi-Opt I, Hi-Opt II, and Omega II, aces are tracked separately. Pressing Ace does not change the running count but updates the ace density stats.
6
New Shoe — resets the count to the correct starting value for the selected system and shoe size. Use this at the start of each new shoe.
7
Undo / Clear — Undo steps back one action at a time. Clear resets the entire shoe, same as New Shoe.
8
Theme toggle — the ☀ button in the top right switches between dark and light mode. Your preference is saved automatically.
9
Action log — the >_ button toggles the action log panel, which slides in from the right on all screen sizes.
Ace density: in systems with ace side counting, the betting note shows Aces rich, Aces poor, or Aces neutral. A rich shoe has more aces remaining than expected and slightly favours the player beyond what the count alone shows.
True Count vs Running Count: the true count normalises the running count for decks remaining. A running count of +6 in a 6-deck shoe is much weaker than the same count with one deck left. Unbalanced systems (KO, Red 7) skip this step and use the running count against fixed key thresholds.
Counting Systems
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +1 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| 0 | 7, 8, 9 |
| −1 | 10, J, Q, K, A |
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +1 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| 0 | 8, 9 |
| −1 | 10, J, Q, K, A |
No true count needed. Compare running count to the key count threshold shown in the app.
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +1 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and red 7 |
| 0 | Black 7, 8, 9 |
| −1 | 10, J, Q, K, A |
Red sevens count +1, black sevens count 0. Use the separate 7 Red and 7 Black buttons.
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +1 | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| 0 | 2, 7, 8, 9 |
| −1 | 10, J, Q, K |
| Ace | A — tracked separately |
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +2 | 4, 5 |
| +1 | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
| 0 | 8, 9 |
| −2 | 10, J, Q, K |
| Ace | A — tracked separately |
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +2 | 4, 5, 6 |
| +1 | 2, 3, 7 |
| 0 | 8, 9 |
| −1 | A |
| −2 | 10, J, Q, K |
Aces are included in the main count at −1. No separate side counting needed.
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +2 | 4, 5, 6 |
| +1 | 2, 3, 7 |
| 0 | 8 |
| −1 | 9 |
| −2 | 10, J, Q, K |
| Ace | A — tracked separately |
| Value | Cards |
|---|
| +1.5 | 5 |
| +1 | 3, 4, 6 |
| +0.5 | 2, 7 |
| 0 | 8 |
| −0.5 | 9 |
| −1 | 10, J, Q, K, A |
Highest accuracy of all systems here. Values can be doubled mentally to keep whole numbers if preferred.
Betting Suggestion Ramp
Unbalanced systems (KO, Red 7): the ramp uses the running count relative to the key count threshold rather than true count. Once you are above the key, conditions are favourable. The further above the key, the stronger the advantage.
Ace density modifier: in systems with ace side counting (Hi-Opt I, Hi-Opt II, Omega II), the betting note shows whether the shoe is ace-rich or ace-poor. Ace-rich shoes are slightly more favourable and may justify pushing a bet one level higher.
This ramp is a practical training guide, not a bankroll-optimised professional spread. Real advantage play requires strict bet sizing discipline, risk-of-ruin calculations, and awareness of table bet limits.
What Changes at Expert Level
Beginner — Hi-Lo
- Three card groups only
- All values are +1, 0, or −1
- Balanced — starts and ends at 0
- True count = running ÷ decks
- No ace side count needed
- Easiest to maintain under pressure
Advanced — Level 2 Systems
- More card groups with different weights
- Values of ±2 require separate mental tracking
- Fractional steps in Wong Halves
- Ace side counting adds a parallel track
- Higher accuracy over many decks
- Significantly harder to maintain error-free
Index plays: advanced players deviate from basic strategy at certain count thresholds (index numbers). For example, standing on 16 vs dealer 10 when the count is sufficiently positive. This app focuses on the count and betting signal only — index plays are not implemented.
Deck estimation: true count accuracy depends on correctly estimating decks remaining. Expert players estimate to the nearest half-deck. An error of one full deck in a 6-deck shoe can shift the true count by a full point.
System efficiency: systems are evaluated on Betting Correlation (BC), Playing Efficiency (PE), and Insurance Correlation (IC). Hi-Lo has solid BC. Hi-Opt II and Omega II score higher across all three but at the cost of mental complexity.
Disclaimer
Legality: card counting using only your own brain is not illegal in most jurisdictions. Casinos are private property and may ask you to leave, restrict your bets, or ban you if they suspect counting. This varies by location.
No guarantee of winnings: card counting shifts the mathematical edge slightly in your favour over a very large number of hands. It does not guarantee a win on any individual session or hand. Short-term variance can be severe even with a positive edge.
What this tool does not replace: memorised basic strategy, proper bankroll management, game selection, bet spread discipline, and camouflage play. Using a count without solid basic strategy will not produce a meaningful advantage.
This tool is for personal practice and training only. Use it responsibly and in accordance with the rules and policies of wherever you play.