Counting into a multiple-deck game is slightly more complicated than counting into a single-deck game because you have to keep track of two different counts—the running count and the true count. The running count is the count you keep as the game is progressing. Thus, if the following cards appear: 4, 8,6, ace, 10,5,3,2, 7,4—you have a running count of +4 (4 = +1; 8 = 0; 6 = +1; ace = – 1; 10 = – 1; 5 = +1; 3 = + 1; 2 = + 1; 7 = 0; 4 = + 1). However, to establish whether a count actually means you have an edge over the casino (or whether the casino has an edge over you), you must divide the number of decks remaining to be played into your running count—this is your true count because it gives you a true indication of what is actually happening.
Say you have a running count of + 8 with two decks remaining to be played in a four-deck game, your true count would be + 4. You divided the decks remaining to be played, two, into your running count +8, which gives you a true count of +4.
Now, exactly what does this mean in terms of an edge? As a general rule of thumb, any positive true count equals a half percentage point in favor of the player. Thus, a true count of + 4 equals two percent in favor of the player. However, the casino has approximately a half percent on the player in a multiple-deck game so the above situation would give the player a 1.5 percent edge over the casino.
For a true count to be significant in a multiple-deck game, it should give you an edge of at least one percent or more. In a single deck game, you do not need to be able to get a true count in order to know whether you or the casino has the edge. Any negative count favors the casino and any positive count favors the player. You can, if you want, get a true count for a single deck game as well. This can be done by dividing the fraction of the decks remaining to be played into the running count—thus, a running count of + 3 with a half deck remaining would be a true count of + 6 because 0.5 divided into three equals six. However, in a multiple-deck game, the true count is the basis of all decisions and must be ascertained at all times.
True Count Variation in Strategy
-2 or less bet minimum
-1 or less hit 13 against the dealer's 2 or 3
+2 or more stand on 12 against a dealer's 2 or 3 double down on 11 against an ace stand on 16 made with three or more cards against the dealer's 10
+3 or more insure every hand against the dealer's ace
double down on 10 against the dealer's ace double down on 9 against a dealer's 2
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All strategy variations in single-deck games are based on the running count.
Running Count Variation in Strategy
-1 or less hit 13 against the dealer's 2 or 3
+1 or more stand on 12 against the dealer's 2 or 3
stand on 10,2 against dealer's 2, 3, or 4 insure all hands against a dealer's ace double on 10 against a dealer's ace
+2 or more stand on all 16s against a dealer's 10
double A,8 against a dealer's 5
These few variations in strategy will help you considerably in playing certain hands.
Remember that at a +1 or more, you insure all your hands against the dealer's ace—even the hands 11 or 10 which you are doubling down. The correct use of the insurance option in a single-deck game is probably the key variation to employ. Even if it is only you and the dealer-in-the-machine at a single-round game, if you have two small cards and the dealer is showing an ace, you would insure because the count is +1! You have a slight advantage.
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