The Silver Fox Count is a balanced card counting system that was developed by Ralph Stricker in the early 1980s. It is a relatively simple system that assigns values to cards based on their rank and color, allowing players to track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Silver Fox Count, how it works, and its advantages and disadvantages.
The Silver Fox Count assigns values to cards as follows: 2-7 have a value of +1, 8 and 9 have a value of 0, and 10-Ace have a value of -1. In addition, red cards (hearts and diamonds) have a value of +1, while black cards (clubs and spades) have a value of -1. This allows players to easily keep track of the count by simply adding or subtracting the values of the cards that are dealt.
One of the advantages of the Silver Fox Count is its simplicity. The values assigned to cards are easy to remember and the count can be easily calculated at the table. In addition, the use of color coding makes it easy to keep track of the count and reduces the risk of mistakes.
Another advantage of the Silver Fox Count is that it is a balanced system, meaning that the count will always start and end at 0 when all the cards in the deck have been dealt. This is important because it ensures that the player is able to maintain an accurate count throughout the game, which is essential for making strategic decisions.
However, one potential disadvantage of the Silver Fox Count is that it may not be as effective as more complex systems in games with multiple decks. This is because the count is based on a single deck and becomes less accurate as more decks are added. In addition, the use of color coding may be confusing for some players and could lead to errors.
To use the Silver Fox Count, you will start with a running count of 0 and add +1 for every 2-7 that is dealt, subtract -1 for every 10-Ace that is dealt, and add or subtract +1 depending on the color of the card. To calculate the true count, you will divide the running count by the number of decks remaining in the shoe.
In conclusion, the Silver Fox Count is a relatively simple and easy to use card counting system that can be effective in single deck games. However, it may not be as effective in games with multiple decks and may be less accurate than more complex systems. If you are new to card counting, the Silver Fox Count may be a good system to start with, but if you are looking for a more sophisticated system, you may want to consider other options.