Blackjack is a popular casino game that offers players the chance to win big by using strategy and skill. One strategy that has proven effective is card counting, a technique that involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to gain an advantage over the house. While some card counting systems can be complex, the KISS Count is a simple and beginner-friendly system that assigns values of +1 and -1 to cards. In this article, we’ll explore the KISS Count and how it can improve your blackjack game.
What is the KISS Count?
The KISS Count is a card counting system that was developed by Ken Fuchs and Olaf Vancura in their book “Knock-Out Blackjack.” The acronym “KISS” stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid,” reflecting the system’s straightforward nature. It’s a balanced system that assigns a value of +1 to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and -1 to 10, J, Q, K, A. Cards 7, 8, and 9 are not counted.
How to use the KISS Count
To use the KISS Count, you start with a running count of 0 at the beginning of each shoe (a container used to hold multiple decks of cards). As cards are dealt, you add or subtract their values from the running count, depending on whether they are low cards (+1) or high cards (-1). The resulting count will give you an idea of whether the remaining cards in the shoe are favorable for the player or the dealer.
For example, if the first few cards dealt are 4, 6, K, 8, and 3, your running count would be +1, +2, +1, 0, and +1, for a total count of +5. This means there are more low cards left in the shoe, which is favorable for the player.
Advantages of the KISS Count
The KISS Count is a simple system that’s easy to learn and use, making it ideal for beginners or players who prefer a more straightforward approach to card counting. It’s also a balanced system, which means that when the entire deck or shoe is counted, the final count will be zero. This allows players to keep track of the count more easily, and it also minimizes the risk of making errors.
Additionally, the KISS Count is an effective system that can give players an edge over the house. By keeping track of the running count, players can determine when the remaining cards are favorable for the player, giving them a higher probability of winning. This can help players make informed decisions about when to hit, stand, double down, or split.
Disadvantages of the KISS Count
While the KISS Count is a simple and effective system, it does have some limitations. Since it’s a level-one system, it doesn’t account for the effect of cards that are removed from the shoe, which can make it less accurate than more complex systems. Additionally, it doesn’t account for the effect of the neutral cards (7, 8, and 9), which can have a significant impact on the game.
Furthermore, the KISS Count is not as effective in shoe games that use multiple decks of cards, as it becomes more difficult to keep track of the count as more cards are dealt. This means that the KISS Count is best suited for single-deck games, where the player can maintain an accurate count more easily.