GameMasters Secret's Page
The GameMaster's Secrets
The Internet Blackjack Report - Part 3
Card Counter 1.0.1(TM)

This is a software program that was designed specifically for use when playing Blackjack at Internet casinos. It's available from "Bob's Blackjack University" at http://blip.net/bj for $59.00 but you can download a trial version which allows you enough play to get a feel for how it works. While you're at Bob's site, poke around a bit, because there are some excellent articles and practice drills for those who are card counters in brick-and-mortar casinos and he has other useful software for sale. I'll be adding this site to my "personal links" page. By the way, I paid retail for my copy of Card Counter and we do not get a commission if you buy it, so consider my review in that light.

Card Counter takes a more "traditional" approach to counting than BJ 2021, which I reviewed earlier. Card Counter allows the user to keep track of the cards which have been played by using up to four different counting systems at the same time; one for betting, one for insurance and two for playing. In my configuration of it, I used the Wong Halves count for betting decisions, Uston APC for playing decisions and a special count for the insurance decisions. By utilizing these counts, I operate with a Betting Efficiency of 99%, a Playing Efficiency of 69% and an Insurance Efficiency of 100%. (For further explanation on all of this, see my series "Counting Systems" which is archived on the Blackjack Page of this site.) As the cards in a game are dealt, the user just points and clicks to keep track of things and all the calculations are performed for you. It really helps to have a dual monitor set up on your system, so you can put the game on one and the software on the other.

Unlike BJ 2021 which examines all the cards remaining in the deck(s) in order to arrive at a playing, betting and insurance decision, Card Counter computes the running count, converts it to an extremely accurate true count and then recommends a playing, betting and/or insurance decision based upon that data. But, if you wish, you may use the published indices for each count instead. However, the recommendations the program makes are very accurate, so it's your choice.

This program is loaded with many extra features that I like very much. For example, it will keep track of all the cards played on a casino-by-casino basis and compare what cards have come out against the mathematical ratios expected which will give you an idea if they are dealing a "short" deck or other cheating like that. You have to make sure that you play enough hands to give a valid sample size, but this is a very useful tool. Other features include tracking the dealer's final hand, so you can see if it gets too many Blackjacks or 20s, etc. to be called a "fair" game. But again, I want to caution you that the sample size you input has a lot to do with these results being valid. You can't play 50 or 60 hands at a casino and declare them a cheater if the dealer ends up with 5 Blackjacks, instead of the "expected" 3; swings like that can happen often in a "fair" game. I think you'll find that Card Counter's features have the ability to calm your fears about casino cheating and you'll actually learn a lot about the weird, yet common, occurrences of this game, be it at a brick-and-mortar casino or an Internet casino. You can track all the cards received at up to three different casinos and keep a running record on subsequent visits. Very nice.

The interface for this software is a little intimidating at first, but as you get used to it, you'll see what a valuable tool it is. The toughest part to remember is changing your bet size as you play, but if you master that, you'll get an excellent recap of your wins and losses at the casino of your choice. Is Card Counter better than the very simple, yet accurate BJ 2021? Well, it all depends upon what information you'd like about your Blackjack play at Internet casinos. If you're interested only in how much to bet and how to play the hand, then BJ 2021 will be sufficient. But, if you're interested in whether or not the casino's cheating in any way, Card Counter will go a long way towards collecting the evidence. I like both, own copies of each and am glad that I do. As I've said before, the ability to make each decision based upon "perfect" counts does not guarantee that you'll win but it sure does help. As competition for the Internet Blackjack player's attention heats up, more and more casinos will, I believe, deal further and further into the deck(s) and tools like Card Counter and Bj 2021 enable you to take advantage of that.

See you here next time.