How to count cards with Hi-Lo: running count to true count

Short answer: give every card you see a value (2 to 6 = +1, 7 to 9 = 0, 10, J, Q, K and A = −1) and keep adding them up. That total is the running count. Divide it by the number of decks still in the shoe to get the true count. The true count tells you how rich the remaining cards are in tens and aces, and a few basic strategy plays change when it is high or low.

Practice only — no real money. Hilowe is for adults 18+. Casinos may refuse play to or limit players they think are counting, and laws differ by country. Follow the law and the house rules where you are.

Step 1: learn the card values

Cards	Hi-Lo value
2, 3, 4, 5, 6	+1
7, 8, 9	0
10, J, Q, K, A	−1

Hi-Lo is a balanced count: one deck has 20 cards worth +1, 20 worth −1 and 12 worth 0, so a full deck counts back to exactly 0. If you count a whole deck and do not end at 0, you made a mistake somewhere.

Step 2: keep a running count

Start at 0 after the shuffle and add each card as it appears. Example, ten cards in order:

Card	K	5	2	9	A	6	3	Q	4	7
Value	−1	+1	+1	0	−1	+1	+1	−1	+1	0
Running	−1	0	+1	+1	0	+1	+2	+1	+2	+2

The running count is +2. A useful shortcut: cancel pairs. A K and a 5 together are 0, so you can skip them and only track what is left over.

Step 3: convert to the true count

True count = running count ÷ decks remaining. Estimate the decks remaining from the discard tray, to the nearest half deck.

Running count +9, 3 decks left: 9 ÷ 3 = +3.
Running count +7, 2.5 decks left: 7 ÷ 2.5 = 2.8, which rounds to +3.
Running count −4, 4 decks left: −4 ÷ 4 = −1.
Running count +6, 6 decks left: 6 ÷ 6 = +1. The same +6 with 1.5 decks left is +4.

Hilowe rounds to the nearest whole number. Some players always round down. Either works if you stay consistent.

Step 4: the first index plays

An index play (deviation) is a basic strategy hand where the right play changes at a certain true count. These are from the Illustrious 18 for multi-deck S17 games. Learn basic strategy first, then add these one at a time:

Insurance: take it only at a true count of +3 or higher. Otherwise never.
16 vs 10: stand at 0 or higher, hit below 0. These are for tables without surrender; with surrender, basic strategy already surrenders 16 vs 10.
15 vs 10: stand at +4 or higher. With surrender, the Fab 4 says surrender at 0 or higher.
12 vs 3: stand at +2 or higher. 12 vs 2: stand at +3 or higher.
10,10 vs 6: split at +4 or higher. 10,10 vs 5: split at +5 or higher.

How to practice

Go in this order: card values until they are instant, a running count on cards flashing by, true count conversion, then deviations. Hilowe has a drill for each step plus shoe practice where you play hands and keep the count, all practice only with no real money and no betting.

FAQ

Why convert the running count to a true count?

A running count of +6 means much more with 1 deck left than with 6 decks left. Dividing by the decks left turns it into a count per deck, so the same number means the same thing anywhere in the shoe.

Do I round the true count up or down?

Pick one method and use it every time. Hilowe rounds to the nearest whole number (+2.8 becomes +3). Many players round down instead, which is a little more conservative.

Is card counting illegal?

Laws and house rules differ by country and venue. Casinos may refuse play to, limit or ask to leave anyone they think is counting. Check the law where you are and follow the house rules. Hilowe is for practice only.

← See Hilowe: blackjack trainer for basic strategy and card counting