Balanced Count: A balanced count is one with the point count values of all the cards in the deck having a sum of 0. The count 5 +1, Ace -1 is the simplest example. Unbalanced Count: An unbalanced count differs from a balanced count in that the point count values do not sum to 0. An example is 5 +1, all other cards 0. Equivalent Balanced Count: A balanced count that is created by adjusting an unbalanced count for the expected imbalance based on the number of cards seen. For example, if the imbalance is +4 per deck and half a deck has been seen, subtract 2 from the unbalanced running count to find the equivalent balanced count. This must be done before a true count can be calculated for an unbalanced count. Running Count: The sum of the point values of all cards that have been seen since the shuffle. If a balanced count is being used, the remainder of the deck will have a running count equal to the inverse of the cards seen. True Count: The true count is the running count which has been adjusted to a standard unit based on the number of cards remaining to be dealt. Usually the running count is divided by the number of decks remaining, but some systems divide by the number of half decks remaining, and a computer can just as easily use the exact number of cards left to be dealt as the divisor. Primary Count: A running count that assigns a negative value to all ten-valued cards. It can be balanced or unbalanced. Side Count: An unbalanced running count kept of one or more cards that is separate from the primary count and does not include tens. If more than one card is being tracked in a single side count, they are all assigned a value of +1 or -1. Secondary Count: A running count which may be balanced or unbalanced which assigns positive values to some numbers and negative values to others. It does not include tens. Final Count: The sum of the primary and secondary count. Usually the final count is used for betting and the primary count for playing. Example: Primary: 3-7 +1, 10-1; Secondary 2 +1, A -1; Final 2-7 +1; 10, A -1. Adjusted Count: A running count which has been adjusted for the surplus or excess of certain cards(usually aces). First the side count is converted to an equivalent balanced count, then it is added to the balanced primary count. Multiparameter Count: A count that includes a combination of two or more primary, secondary, and side counts. Hi-Opt I(3-6 +1 10 -1) with a side count of aces is a simple multiparameter count. It can also be extended with side counts of other cards, of which the 7 is the most helpful. Ace Reckoned Count: A count that gives full value to the aces, at least equal to the value given the tens. Counts of this type are the best for determining the player's advantage. Ace Neutral Count: A count that assigns the ace a value of zero. A count of this type will be stronger than an ace reckoned count for most playing strategy decisions. Compromise Count: A count that assigns a value to the ace between 0 and the value assigned to tens. This is the strongest type of single parameter count in most games unless the bet spread is very low or very high.

This page was written by T-Hopper