Blackjack’s biggest allure lies in its simplicity. The rules of this classic casino staple are easy to comprehend, or at least if one is playing the game in its purest form. You play against the house and your purpose is to get a hand total that is as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. If your total is higher than the dealer’s, you receive a payout, if not, you lose. It really is as simple as this.

The enormous popularity this casino mainstay enjoys worldwide has caused dozens of blackjack variations to pop up over the years. Some of those have only minor rule deviations while others are so odd that it almost feels like you are playing an entirely different game, so much so that at BlackjackExpert.com we have dedicated separate pages to some of these variations.

Rule deviations make the game all the more exciting, presenting players with more winning opportunities but it is also important to recognize that some adjustments are there for the simple purpose of giving the house a higher edge. Because of this, it is important to differentiate between the variations that work to your advantage and those that are in the casino’s favor. Continue reading to learn all the fine points of blackjack rule variations and why do they matter.

Common Rule Variations

There are 2 kinds of deviations: Playing Deviations and Betting Deviations. TIP: There is an comprehensive section on Blackjack Deviations in our Card Counting Training Course. To get a complete walk-through of the what, why, and how, along with memorization tips, check out the Video Training Course. With only 12 generations experience, the most successful strategies are those that Stand with a hard 20, 19, 18, and possibly 17. That part of the strategy develops first because it happens so often and it has a fairly unambiguous result.

Can I get a chart for Hi-Lo 6 Deck H17 playing deviations for the following? LS 17 vs A 16 vs 7 16 vs A 15 vs 7 15 vs 8 15 vs A 14 vs A 13 vs 10 88 vs A The charts should look like this and show how the advantage changes with the count. I want to see a chart and not just index numbers. The following table contains what is known as the Illustrious 18 (for multi-deck games). It summarizes the most important hands for deviating from basic strategy (the ones that give you the most bang for your buck). (Developed by Blackjack Hall of Famer Don Schlesinger, author of the authoritative book Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros' Way.

The thing about casino games, including blackjack, is that they are always slightly rigged against the player so that the house can extract advantage and profit from its tables. This is not to say the casino is cheating you out of your money. There are various legal ways for the house to gain an edge over players and the simplest of them is by enforcing various adjustments to the rules that have a direct effect on the odds. Some of these adjustments actually work in your favor improving your odds while others are designed to hurt your long-term chances of winning.

For those of you who are not familiar with what the term “house edge” refers to, this is the built-in percentage the house collects from each bet made at its tables in the long run. The house edge in blackjack fluctuates wildly but it is safe to say it generally ranges between 0.50% and 1.00% when you follow basic strategy to the tee, making 21 one of the games with the lowest casino advantage.

So for example, if you join a blackjack table with a 1.00% house edge, bet $10 per hand, and play about 60 hands per hour, your action would amount to $600 per hour. Respectively, you are expected to lose $6 on average to the house over the course of time. This is not to say you will not turn a profit over the short term but the more hands you play, the closer you will inch to these expected results.

The house can improve its long-term edge by adjusting some of the basic rules of play at the blackjack tables. The most common rule deviations pertain to the number of decks in play, the dealers’ standing totals, the payouts on naturals, to splitting pairs, and doubling down. We cover all these rule variations in further depth below.

Number of Decks in Play

Blackjack usually plays with one to eight full decks of cards, but deck penetration and the depth of dealing also do matter, especially if one is counting cards. There is a general consensus among skilled blackjack players that fewer decks give the house the lowest advantage. The casino edge increases proportionately to the number of decks in play. From this, it follows that the most profitable tables are the ones using a single deck of cards.

Illustrious 18 blackjack deviations

The reason for this is quite simple – the number of decks affects your opportunities to profit from double downs as well as your odds of getting dealt blackjacks. You can easily figure out the probability of obtaining naturals when you know the number of cards in play.

For the purpose, you multiply the odds of receiving an ace by the odds of being dealt a ten-value card. A full deck contains 52 cards and respectively, there are only 4 aces and 16 cards that are assigned a value of ten.

We use the following formula: Pb = n(ace) x n(ten-value cards) x 2 where n indicates the number of aces and ten-value cards, and Pb corresponds to the probability of being dealt a blackjack. The result is then multiplied by 2 as we also take into account the order in which the cards are dealt, which can be either ace/ten or ten/ace.

Therefore, the calculations for a single-deck game run in the following manner: Pb = (4/52) x (16/51) x 2 = 0.04826 x 100 = 4.82%. We multiply by 100 to obtain the figure in the form of a percentage. Also, the overall number of cards in the second brackets is reduced to 51 instead of remaining 52 because you have supposedly already drawn one card, the ace.

We can use the same formula to calculate the probability of receiving a blackjack when multiple decks are in use. Respectively, the likelihood of getting naturals in a six-deck game will be Pb = (24/312) x (96/311) x 2 = 0.04748 x 100 = 4.74%. The difference of 0.08% appears minuscule but when it comes to gambling, things unfortunately do add up in the long run.

The smaller your chances of receiving blackjacks at a given table, the more the house edge increases because it is the naturals that give players the best value in this fascinating game. In a single-deck game where you use perfect basic strategy, the house edge is -0.013% whereas eight decks give the casino an advantage of 0.57%

Dealer Standing Rules

If you are reading this, you probably already know that blackjack dealers make no decisions whatsoever when playing their hands because they need to abide by fixed rules. The house gains an edge over players by forcing them to act on their hand before the dealer acts on theirs. However, the rules the dealer follows also bear consideration because can vary, sometimes even from table to table in the very same casino.

The general consensus in the blackjack community is that tables where the dealers stand on all totals of 17 are the best ones to play at. You may come across blackjack tables whose dealers are required to hit soft totals of 17. This gives the casino an extra 0.22% edge over you. Dealers who hit soft 17s have a higher probability of improving their totals to 18, 19, 20, or 21 as opposed to their colleagues who stand on all 17s. Luckily, the dealers’ standing rules are clearly written on the baize of the tables, making it easy to figure out which games to avoid.

Payout Variations

We already talked about how blackjacks are the most valuable hands in this game. This is so because naturals pay out at higher odds than regular winning hands which only offer you even money. So instead of profiting from a hand that occurs more rarely, you are paid the same amount you would receive for any other winning total.

Any table with a reduction in the casino odds of blackjacks is not worth your time and especially, your money. Always shoot for the games where naturals return at a rate of 3 to 2 and your net profits amount to one and a half times your original stake. A blackjack payout of 6 to 5 is a no go.

Beware of variations like Blackjack Switch, for example, where the dealer pushes with you on totals of 22 instead of going bust. There is no need to clarify that the tables where the dealers take all ties are also to be avoided.

Pair Splitting and Doubling Rule Variations

Doubling down and splitting are two of the most important betting actions at the blackjack table for the simple reason they help you to extract more value in favorable situations. Casinos would often resort to rule modifications to prevent this from happening. You may come across tables where doubling down is restricted only to some totals, usually, 9, 10, and 11. This cripples your chances of increasing your profits, boosting the odds in favor of the house by 0.20%. Being able to double on any total gives you more flexibility in making the right decisions should you detect a favorable situation.

The same applies to splitting pairs of equal cards. It is in players’ best interest to be able to resplit to up to four hands. Just imagine the following hypothetical situation where you get a pair of aces, which you are advised to always split. If you are dealt one more ace on each split card, you have four hands starting with an ace and this improves your chances of obtaining a winning hand total. One such thing would occur on rare occasions, which is why it improves the house’s odds with 0.05% only but it still counts.

However, there are tables where the players are permitted to split pairs of ten-value cards only if they are of the same kind, two queens, for example. Remember these restrictions are detrimental to your long-term expected value.

The optimal rules would allow you to double down following a split. You pour more money into the action but this also increases the amounts you win. For instance, you start with a $10 bet and get dealt a pair of kings. You split those placing an additional wager of $10. You double down on both cards and receive aces on each king, winning a total of four hands for an overall profit of $50. This certainly is a satisfactory result for a wager that started off at $10.

Early vs. Late Surrender

The ability to be able to surrender potentially losing hands and forfeit half of your initial stake is of essential importance for your expected return. There is even a separate variation called Blackjack Surrender and it is the game of choice of many expert blackjack players. However, there is a clear distinction between early and late surrender, and it is the former that gives you better odds.

Simply put, early surrender enables you to admit defeat before your dealer has peeked for a natural. Needless to say, this saves you money. When late surrender is in force, you still can give up on your hand at the cost of half of your original wager, but you can do so only after the dealer has checked for a blackjack when showing an ace.

Of course, if the dealer indeed has a natural, you do not get to surrender anything because you lose right away. Hunt for tables with early surrender since this improves your edge by 0.39%. Let us warn you in advance, though – these variations are as rare as hen’s teeth, even more so if you play online.

Charlie Rules

The Charlie rules are great for blackjack players because they stipulate that once you draw a given number of cards without going bust, your hand is an automatic winner no matter what total the dealer obtains after you have acted. When playing live, you should feel free to inquire whether or not a Charlie rule applies at the table and if yes, for what number of cards. In randomly generated games, this is clearly written in the respective variations’ rules, which, it goes without saying, you must always go through in advance.

The reduction of the house edge in the presence of a Charlie rule is minuscule but as a blackjack player, you should learn to never look away from favorable rule variations. Casinos offer even-money payouts on seven-card Charlies which reduces the house advantage by 0.01%. On rare occasions, you will encounter tables with the six-card or five-card Charlies in force, which take away 0.16% and 1.46% from the house’s edge.

Why Rule Variations Affect Decision Making in Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the select few games where players can gain the upper hand through optimal decision making. The most common way to achieve this is either through advanced techniques like card counting or through using a basic strategy. The latter relies on the knowledge of your starting hand and the one card your dealer is showing. It helps you make optimal decisions under the assumption these three cards have already been dealt out from the shoe or deck and therefore, will not make another appearance before the reshuffle.

If you want to improve your chances of winning at blackjack, you should start with mastering basic strategy. That being said, you should not be too quick to memorize the first basic strategy chart you come across over the internet and follow it to the tee because the different rules also lead to variations in basic strategy. Some of the things you need to take into account include the rules on surrendering, splitting, and doubling, the deviations in dealers’ fixed rules, and the number of decks the game is played with.

Following a basic strategy designed for multiple-deck play at a single-deck blackjack table takes away some of your edge. Even a fraction of a percent matters in the long term so the best way to start would be to master basic strategy and then vary it in accordance with the rules that apply to the particular blackjack game you are playing. Once you put in a sufficient amount of practice, it would be much easier to vary your basic strategy depending on rule modifications.

Common Blackjack Variations at Online Casinos

Show MoreHide More

Now that we explained the most typical rule variations and why do they matter, we believe it is time to acquaint you with some of the most common blackjack variations you can find online or offline. Some of these improve your odds of winning, others reduce them but all are equally enticing.

Atlantic City Blackjack

When the first casinos in Atlantic City opened doors, they attracted the action of thousands of advantage players with the flexible rules at their blackjack tables. Card counters thrived in Atlantic City whose casinos did not persecute them as severely as their Sin City counterparts. Since gambling is regulated by the local New Jersey Casino Control Commission, all casinos in Atlantic City would offer the same rules at their blackjack tables, hence the name of this variation.

Atlantic City Blackjack is a multiple-deck game which uses eight full packs of 52 cards each. The dealers must stand on all totals of 17, soft or not, and peek for naturals on both aces and ten-value cards. Doubling down is possible on all totals, with players having the option to split to a total of four hands. One card is dealt on split aces and you have the option to double down after a pair is split. Naturals offer the standard payout of 3 to 2 but most importantly, you can surrender after the dealer has checked for a blackjack.

Vegas Strip Blackjack

Vegas Strip Blackjack ranks as one of the most favorable variations of 21. It typically plays with four full decks of cards. The objective of the player remains the same but some of the rules that distinguish it from other blackjack varieties are that the dealers are required to peek for naturals and must stand on soft totals of 17. A natural would usually offer the best payout of 3 to 2 although some venues at the Strip would host tables with a decreased payout of 6 to 5 on blackjack hands.

You can double down on any total your heart desires, even after you have split pairs. While we are on the topic of pairs, Vegas Strip Blackjack enables you to split to up to four hands, unless the pair consists of aces which cannot be resplit. You can receive only one card per split ace. You can split even pairs of ten-value cards that are unlike, like queen-jack, for example. This variation should not be mistaken for Vegas Downtown Blackjack which uses only two full decks and requires the dealer to hit soft totals of 17.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack dominates gambling establishments across the Old Continent and is easy to distinguish since it does not use hole cards. This is actually rather detrimental to players because it eliminates both the necessity of a peek rule and the insurance side bet. Both of these protect you against the dealer’s potential naturals, so you get the picture.

Unlike the previous two variations, European Blackjack plays with two full decks and the dealer initially gets only one face-up card. Once all participants in the coup have made their decisions on how to play their hands, the dealer draws more cards to complete theirs for a total that should be no less than 17.

Things tend to get downhill from this moment on, with very rigid doubling and splitting rules. Doubling down is possible but only on two-hand totals of 9, 10, and 11. Only one split per pair is allowed, but if you get dealt unlike ten-value cards you can forget about splitting. Blackjack awards you a payout of 3 to 2.

Double Exposure

Double Exposure appeared for the first time in Sin City’s Vegas World casino back in October 1979. The game was originally named Zweikartenspiel but everyone called it Double Exposure. The name caught up and this is how the game is known to this day. You have probably guessed where the name originated from – in this variation the dealer has both their cards exposed, which helps with decision making and is especially great for advantage players.

This may come off as a major surprise but Double Exposure is actually one of the variations to give the house the biggest edge in blackjack. The rules have been modified unfavorably, of course, as a means of counterbalancing the edge you get by seeing both cards of the dealer. The games utilizes six regular decks and the dealer takes all ties with the exception of those with naturals, in which case you two would push. Double after splitting is out of the question at these tables and you have the option to split a single time only. But it actually gets worse – you receive even money for your naturals.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs is one of those blackjack variations you must try at least once in a lifetime, especially if you are seeking to profit from your side bets. The rules coincide with those in classic blackjack, as in fact the only difference here is the option to place a side wager on the proposition that your starting hand will consist of specific pairs. The more “perfect” the pair is, the bigger the payout you are entitled to. Do have in mind the house holds a ghastly advantage on these side bets that reaches 11% so you only stand a chance of profiting from those if you are counting cards or shuffle tracking.

Other than that, the game is usually played with four decks but the number may vary. Doubling down is permitted on all totals but on the downside, you are prohibited from splitting pairs consisting of aces. When a side bet is made, the dealer would pay out if it wins at the very start of the coup. There are three pairs that pay when a side bet is in place. Mixed pairs are of the smallest value and are likely to occur more often so they pay out 5 to 1. Colored pairs are rarer and return a payout of 10 to 1 whereas the perfect pairs (two suited cards of equal numerical value) offer the highest payout of 30 to 1.

Pontoon

Pontoon is easily one of the most fascinating blackjack variations out there. We will explain about the variation that plays in accordance with the British rules, where no cards are removed from the deck.

Here one full deck is normally in use. The betting actions are largely the same as those in classic blackjack but are given different names. You “stick” to your original hand total which means to decline additional cards. Requesting more cards is called “twisting”. Also, you can pay extra to draw more cards to improve four-card totals, with the option to buy up to three times but never after twisting. In Pontoon, the players are required to twist until they obtain a total of 15 or above.

One of the biggest allures of the game is the increased payout of 2 to 1 for naturals, which are pretty much the same as blackjacks but are called pontoons in this instance. Do not be too quick to rejoice, however, since here no hole cards are in play and the dealer receives both their cards facing down. Respectively, there is no way for you to insure your hands against pontoons.

The second best hand in Pontoon is the five-card trick which is pretty much a five-card Charlie with a fancy name that pays out 2 to 1. Next in line is the regular 21 consisting of three or four cards giving you this total for an even-money payout. In you break 21, you bust, similarly to regular blackjack. Note that here the dealer takes all ties, including those with pontoons.

All Blackjack Variations

Blackjack Games with Progressive Jackpots

More and more players are turning to online blackjack and the reason is not only to avoid heat on behalf of landbased casino personnel. They also do it because online they have the wonderful opportunity to play progressive blackjack variations. The more players wager on the progressive variation, the higher the jackpot becomes. Certain conditions must be met to become eligible for winning the pot, though, starting with the optional side bet you need to make. This is like an ante that is immediately added to the pools.

In one of the most common progressive variations, the one designed by Microgaming, you are awarded additional payouts for hands consisting of sevens, with cards of the same suits offering you some of the largest prizes. However, the largest prize of all is the progressive pot which is awarded for obtaining hands consisting of three sevens of diamonds.

To conclude it all, we would like to warn you that the house edge on progressive games is typically increased to counterbalance their massive winning potential, so the pot would have to escalate to a specific amount before one such game can give you a positive expected value.

The Uston SS system is one of the more accurate card counting systems available, which is why many folks turn to it. However, the increased accuracy comes due to a much more complex counting system than many others. But, if you’re up for the challenge of learning this advanced card counting system, you’ll be rewarded with higher accuracy.

For those of you thinking that the Uston SS system might be the one you’d like to use when playing blackjack, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve established this page to help you gather up all the knowledge you need on the system. Below, we’ll walk you through how the system works, how you can practice it, how you can avoid getting caught, and more!

If you’re on the hunt for a particular aspect about the Uston SS System, be sure to view the jump links below. These are here if you’d like to skip ahead to specific portions of the page. However, those of you seeking to get the most out of this page should read it from top to bottom.

Understanding the Basics of the Uston SS System

To ensure you’ve got a good understanding of the system first, we wanted to cover some basics before we get into more advanced portions of the system. Below, you’ll find explanations of the core ideas behind the Uston SS system that will make it easier for you to understand and learn how to use this method.

Running Count

The central portion of the Uston SS system is what’s called a running count. This count is what will help you decide how to size your bets when it’s your turn to wager. To calculate the running count, you’ll add up the assigned values for each card as you see them. Don’t worry; we’ll go into more detail on how you’ll do this in the next section below.

Starting Value

With many other card counting systems, you simply start your count with a value of zero. However, since the Uston SS system is an unbalanced system, you’ll need to calculate your starting value. By doing this, it will avoid the need for you to calculate a true count later.

Luckily, calculating your starting count is very easy. To do it, you’ll multiply the number of decks you think are still in play by -2.

For example, if you believe there are 6 decks left in the shoe, your starting count would be -12 (6 multiplied by -2). You’ll then add each card’s value to this value to create your running count.

True Count

If you’ve studied other card counting methods before, then you’re most likely familiar with the idea of a true count. Many other systems require a true count calculation to be done in order to offset the number of decks in play. However, since the Uston SS system has users offset things with their starting count, there’s no need to worry with calculating a true count. Instead, your running count will be the figure that you’ll use for betting guidance.

Implications

In general, the goal of the Uston SS System is to help you know when you should bet a little or a lot on your blackjack hands. Whenever your count is low or negative, the system will signal to you that you should bet as little money as possible because it’s less likely you’ll get a blackjack. Alternatively, whenever your count is high, it will signal for you to bet more money since you have higher chances of getting blackjack.

Counting Cards with the Uston SS System

With the basics now out of the way, let’s dive into how you’ll use the Uston SS system to count cards. Up first, we’ve included a chart below that showcases the card values you’ll need to know to use this system. You’ll want to memorize these values as they’ll be vital to getting an edge over the casino.

Start with a count of 0, and when you see a:

  • A, K, Q, J, or 10: Subtract 2 from your running count
  • 9: Subtract 1 from your running count
  • 8: Do nothing (Worth 0)
  • 7: Add 1 to your running count
  • 2, 3, 4, or 6: Add 2 to your running count
  • 5: Add 3 to your running count

Before you begin card counting using this method, you’ll need to adjust your starting count. As a reminder, you’ll do this by multiplying the number of decks estimated to be in the shoe by -2. Once this is calculated, you’ll simply begin to add the card values to it per the figures in the chart above. Continue this process until the cards are shuffled.

Blackjack

As we mentioned above, one of the great selling points of the Uston SS system is that it doesn’t require users to make a true count calculation. Since it’s an unbalanced system, this step is not necessary and saves folks from needing to do often difficult division in their head. Instead, you’ll use your current running count to give you guidance on how much you should wager.

In the next section, we’ll give you detailed instruction on how you’ll use the running count to size your bets.

Points

Finally, there’s one last thing you’ll need to keep in mind when using the Uston SS system. Whenever the dealer shuffles the cards, you’ll need to reset your running count. To do this, multiply the number of estimated decks being used at the table by -2. Then, continue to tabulate your running count using the values in the chart above.

How to Size Your Bets Using the Uston SS System

Unlike many of the other card counting systems in existence, the Uston SS System doesn’t require you to calculate a true count to size your bets correctly. Instead, you’ll use your current running count to give you guidance on how you should wager. Below, we’ll discuss two different ways you can size your wagers when using this method.

Up first, the easiest route is simply to use your current running count as a multiplier of the table minimum. For example, if you’re playing at a $20 minimum table and your running count is at 3, you’d bet $60 on your next hand. Using this path, you’d bet the table minimum if your count is +1 or less. It’s only when it gets to be +2 or higher that you’d begin to multiply the table minimum bet amount.

Another way to size your bets with the Uston SS system is to create a tiered system. With this format, you’ll create buckets.

Deviations

For example, you might say that if your count is +2 or +3 that you’ll wager 2x the table minimum. Then, if your count is +4 or +5, you’ll wager 3x the table minimum.

Under this setup, your betting won’t be quite as aggressive as the idea we provided in the paragraph above.

It’s ultimately your call how you’d like to size your bets. You can use one of our suggestions above or create your own betting system that works for you. Just don’t forget the general idea that you want to bet higher amounts as your count gets higher and lower amounts as your count is lower.

How to Practice the Uston SS System

In this section, we’re going to provide you with practical tips you can use to begin practicing the Uston SS system. If you’ve never counted cards before, it’s essential you take some time to practice before you head off to the casino to use it in real life. By following our practice tips below, you’ll be ready to use this method very quickly.

Start Counting a Full Deck

To begin your practice of the Uston SS system, you’ll first need to start with counting a full deck. Here, you’ll deal yourself one card from the deck at the time. As each card is exposed, you’ll assign it the value from the chart above and then add that to your running count. You’ll repeat this process until you’ve run through all 52 cards in the deck. By executing this process many times over, you’ll get yourself used to the proper use of the Uston SS System.

Time Your Counts

After you’ve run through an entire deck a couple of times, try timing yourself. The goal will be to record the time it takes you to count the whole deck and then work to improve your time. See if you can reduce your future time to less than half of your initial time. By doing this, you’ll track your progress of learning how to use the Uston SS system.

Count Cards in Pairs

Once you feel like you’ve got the hang of counting a deck one card at a time, try your hand counting two cards at a time. By perfecting this level, you’ll speed up the time at which you can count a deck. Overall, this will make you more efficient when counting cards at a casino.

Instead of dealing one card, deal out two. Then, quickly add up their combined values in your head. Finally, you’ll add that value to your running count and move on to the next two cards. Repeat this practice step until you feel like you’re smooth with the new process.

Add Some Distractions

To up your card counting skills even more, it’s time for you to add in some distractions. Since casinos are not quiet and calm places, you’ll want to introduce some distractions at home while you count to help prepare yourself for what’s coming in a casino.

First, try turning on the radio while you count cards. See how long it takes for you to count an entire deck with the radio on in the background. Then, also try turning on your television. Time yourself again and make sure that it’s not taking you too long to run through the entire deck.

Have a Friend Watch You

Next, you’ll want to have a friend help you out. The goal of this round of practice is for them to help you identify any tells you might be giving off while you practice the Uston SS system. For example, if you’re furrowing your brow or counting under your breath, these are both things that a dealer will most likely catch on to. Whatever your friend identifies, work to eliminate that tell so that it’s less likely for you to get caught by casino employees.

Count at a Casino

Once you feel like you’re in a good spot with your counting ability, head on over to your nearest casino. For this next round of practice, you’ll count cards in a real casino setting. The goal here is to help you ensure that you’re able to keep up with the running count despite all the casino distractions around you.

You won’t be playing the game for money yourself yet. Instead, you’ll watch a table of other players. As the action happens, practice your running count. Once you feel like you can execute everything smoothly in this setting, you can move on to the next step.

Find a Low Stakes Table

Once you feel comfortable enough to the point that you’re ready to wager money using the system, head back to one of your local casinos. To get started, be sure to find a low stakes table.

It’s a great idea to begin with lower stakes so you don’t have much on the line if you make mistakes while you’re implementing the system. As you get more comfortable using the Uston SS system, you can then work your way up to higher stakes tables.

Top 10 Ways to Not Get Caught Blackjack Card Counting

Up next, we wanted to give you some pointers so you don’t get caught by the casino when you’re counting cards. Below, you’ll find our top 10 tips to help you not get caught when using the Uston SS System.

  1. Don’t forget to tip: A classic signal to dealers of a potential card counter is non-tipping. To help fly under the radar, be sure to toss the dealer a tip here and there so you are not put under added scrutiny. Try to tip at least once or twice every hour you’re playing.
  2. Play at different casinos: Instead of playing at the same casino all the time, aim to play at different ones as much as possible. While this may be difficult for some folks with a limited selection of casinos near their home, it’s worth practicing if you can. By doing this, you’ll play with many more casino employees, which will lessen your chances of getting caught.
  3. Play at different times: It’s also an excellent idea to play at different times. Even if you’re playing at various casinos, different times will allow you also to lessen the likelihood of getting caught. Using this tip, you’ll expose yourself to a much broader assortment of casino employees.
  4. Change up tables: If you’re going to play at a casino for an extended period, be sure that you change tables every once and awhile. The goal here is to change up the casino staff that’s got eyes on you so that it lessens the chance they catch on to your card counting.
  5. Never play with one dealer for too long: While you might have a select few dealers that you love playing with, you should never play with them for an extended period. The longer that you play with one dealer, the higher the chances are that they can catch on to one of your body tells while counting cards.
  6. Limit your alcohol consumption: While you don’t have to be stone cold sober, you should ensure that you’re not heavily under the influence of alcohol. If you’ve had too much to drink, you’ll be more likely to make poor decisions and have a hard time keeping up with your counts while using the Uston SS system. We’d suggest one drink or less per hour if you’re planning to count cards.
  7. Don’t overthink: While implementing the Uston SS System, it’s vital that you don’t think too hard. If you do, you’ll be more likely to give off body tells like a furrowed brow. Don’t forget to practice with a friend to ensure you’re not giving off tells while counting cards.
  8. Don’t advise other players: Even if you feel like you’ve got the Uston SS system dialed in correctly, something you should never do is advise the other players at your table. If you give out advice, it will immediately draw the attention of the dealer. By keeping the tips to yourself, you’ll be less likely to get caught while card counting.
  9. Are you being watched?: If you ever feel like you’re being watched by casino employees more than is typical, it’s probably time to call it quits for the day. This could be a sign that they are on to you as a card counter. Wrap things up and try again on another day.
  10. Watch your bet spread: When using the Uston SS system, it’s possible that your count may suggest a massive bet whenever your chances are high to get a blackjack. However, it’s smart not to make your bets too large. In general, we’d suggest always keeping your most massive bets to less than 5x the table minimum. By wagering more than that, you’re likely to get extra scrutiny from the dealer.

Other Blackjack Resources

Over the years, we’ve created tons of helpful content for blackjack fans. Below, we’ve included links to some of our most popular blackjack resources. Check these out and see how else we can help you up your blackjack skills.

Guide to Blackjack Card Counting

We’ve developed guides of many other methods of blackjack card counting. If you’re looking to explore some of your other options, check out our guide on it here, where you’ll find a page filled with detailed explanations of many other popular card counting systems.

Best Online Casinos for Blackjack

If you’re interested in playing blackjack online, then don’t miss our list of the top online casinos offering blackjack. There you’ll find a page filled with our picks for the best online casinos for blackjack. You’ll be in good hands with a legit and trusted online casino if you work with any one of our recommended sites.

Blackjack Strategy for Beginners

Folks that are new to blackjack shouldn’t dive into card counting systems like the Uston SS system just yet. Instead, head over to check out our blackjack strategy for beginners guide. Using it, you can make sure you’re up to speed on all the blackjack essentials before you get into more complex ideas like card counting.

Uston SS System FAQ

Some of you might still have some unanswered questions after reading all the information that we’ve provided above. If that’s you, then be sure to scan the FAQ section below. Here, we’ve gathered up a small collection of questions that we commonly hear from readers about the Uston SS system. Just click on the question if you’d like to view the answer to it.

Can I Use the Uston SS System for Online Blackjack?

If you’re planning to play live dealer online blackjack, then you most likely will be able to implement the Uston SS system. Since you should have visibility to the table, cards, and the shuffler, you’ll be able to count cards using this system.

Folks planning to play traditional online blackjack will not be able to utilize the system. Since this format of the game often includes an automatic shuffle of the cards after every hand, it’s impossible to establish a pattern in the deck of cards.

Is the Uston SS System the Best Card Counting Method?

Blackjack Deviations 18

The Uston SS system is one of the more accurate methods of card counting available. If you’re looking for a precise system, this one might be right for you. However, you need to make sure that you can keep up with the complex counts required for this system.

Is It Illegal to Use the Uston SS System?

As long as you’re only using your mind to execute the Uston SS system, you’re not doing anything illegal no matter where you live. That said, if you do use a device like a calculator or your phone to help you use the system, you might be breaking the law depending on where you’re playing.

Keep in mind that while not illegal, casinos don’t like card counting. The reason behind this is that casinos are more likely to lose money to card counters. So that you don’t get asked to leave for suspicion of counting cards, be sure to read our ten tips above on how you can avoid getting caught using the system.

Will I Definitely Win at Blackjack Using This System?

Blackjack

Unfortunately, the Uston SS doesn’t make you a sure winner. The same can be said about any card counting method. What’s important, however, is that proper use of the Uston SS system will give you the opportunity to get a leg up on the casino. Over the long haul, this means you’ll have a higher likelihood of making a small profit while playing blackjack. .

Is This the Right Card Counting System for Me?

The Uston SS system is a good fit for individuals looking for a more advanced blackjack card counting system. Due to the more complex counting required, it’s not the best method for individuals looking for a simple system to use. However, if you’re up for the slightly more challenging count, you’ll benefit from a higher level of accuracy compared to other more straightforward card counting systems.

Blackjack Deviations 18 Games

If this is the first blackjack card counting method you’ve investigated, we’d urge you to learn about some other options before deciding if this one is right for you. By checking into some other options, you should be able to get a feel for which system you’ll be able to quickly learn and actually implement in a real-life casino.

Conclusion on the Uston SS System

Hopefully, you’ve learned everything you were hoping to and more about the Uston SS card counting system. For those of you that are new to our website, what you’ve found here today is just a small sampling of the great content we have to offer you.

Top 18 Blackjack Deviations

This website is filled with tons of helpful gambling guides that will allow you to elevate your skills. Be sure to check out the site and see how else we can help you get more out of your gambling.

Blackjack Deviations 18 High

Thanks for reading, and best of luck with your future use of the Uston SS system!