4 A Beginner’s Guide to Counting Cards and Winning at BlackJack PAGE 1: INTRODUCTION AND BLACKJACK BASICS PAGE 2 & 3: HOW TO COUNT CARDS PAGE 4: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and PRACTICE TIPS WHY DO WE COUNT CARDS? - Overcoming the Dealer’s Advantage Do you think casinos would be making money if they didn’t have a statistical advantage over their patrons? The answer is no. They would have gone out of business long ago, and places like the Las Vegas strip would cease to exist. The main reason for their advantage, is because the dealer always draws cards (or stands) last (automated strategy, must hit on 15, stand on 16 I think). Also, the players do not know the value of the dealer’s hole card until after they have placed bets and drawn cards when it is turned over. Players generally bust about ¼ of the time (28% of the time) and so this advantage is not insignificant, especially for a beginner. But what if there were a way to help statistically predict if the next card in the deck would give you a winning hand? Good news, there is. It is called counting cards! · The idea behind counting cards is to be able to use statistics to predict the value of the card that comes next. · For example, if many low cards have already been played (2s through 6s) but not many high cards, (10s through aces), it is likely that the remaining cards in the deck are stacked with high value cards. · Card counting is a systematic way to help the player understand the likelihood of the card he/she wants being the card that is drawn, leading the player to win more chips than by playing the game “blindly.” A Quick Overview - The Rules of BlackJack and Required Materials At the start of the game, each player and the dealer receive two cards each. The players receive both cards face up, while the dealer has one card face down (the hole card). The dealer draws cards from the decks, which are often held in a box called a “shoe.” REQUIRED MATERIALS The cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, while face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) are each worth 10. Aces are worth either 1 or 11 (whichever gives you the better hand). The card suit (clubs, spades, hearts, or diamonds) has no significance in blackjack. The object of the game is to have the value of the sum of your cards’ be equal to 21 (or as close as possible) without exceeding it. If you exceed 21, you “bust” and lose the amount you bet for the round. Note: You can be dealt (“hit”) more cards after your first two if you choose, or stick (“stand”) with the cards you have. Your opponent in the game is the dealer (player representing the casino), not the other players after the dealer. You must defeat the dealer to win, regardless of what cards the other players have. HOW TO COUNT CARDS STEP 1 – Sit at the Black Jack Table and Make the Minimum Bet (or more) 1 2 3 4 · To participate in game play, you must place at least the stated minimum bet on the table before a game begins (see Figure 1). ·.

1. 4
A Beginner’s Guide to Counting Cards and Winning at
BlackJack
PAGE 1: INTRODUCTION AND BLACKJACK BASICS
PAGE 2 & 3: HOW TO COUNT CARDS
PAGE 4: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and PRACTICE TIPS
WHY DO WE COUNT CARDS? - Overcoming the Dealer’s
Advantage
Do you think casinos would be making money if they didn’t
have a statistical advantage over their patrons? The answer is
no. They would have gone out of business long ago, and places
like the Las Vegas strip would cease to exist.
The main reason for their advantage, is because the dealer
always draws cards (or stands) last (automated strategy, must
hit on 15, stand on 16 I think). Also, the players do not know
the value of the dealer’s hole card until after they have placed
bets and drawn cards when it is turned over. Players generally
bust about ¼ of the time (28% of the time) and so this
advantage is not insignificant, especially for a beginner.
But what if there were a way to help statistically predict if the
next card in the deck would give you a winning hand? Good
news, there is. It is called counting cards!
· The idea behind counting cards is to be able to use statistics to
predict the value of the card that comes next.

2. · For example, if many low cards have already been played (2s
through 6s) but not many high cards, (10s through aces), it is
likely that the remaining cards in the deck are stacked with high
value cards.
· Card counting is a systematic way to help the player
understand the likelihood of the card he/she wants being the
card that is drawn, leading the player to win more chips than by
playing the game “blindly.”
A Quick Overview - The Rules of BlackJack and Required
Materials
At the start of the game, each player and the dealer receive two
cards each. The players receive both cards face up, while the
dealer has one card face down (the hole card). The dealer draws
cards from the decks, which are often held in a box called a
“shoe.”
REQUIRED MATERIALS
The cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, while face
cards (jacks, queens, and kings) are each worth 10. Aces are
worth either 1 or 11 (whichever gives you the better hand). The
card suit (clubs, spades, hearts, or diamonds) has no
significance in blackjack.
The object of the game is to have the value of the sum of your
cards’ be equal to 21 (or as close as possible) without exceeding
it. If you exceed 21, you “bust” and lose the amount you bet for
the round. Note: You can be dealt (“hit”) more cards after your
first two if you choose, or stick (“stand”) with the cards you
have.
Your opponent in the game is the dealer (player representing the

3. casino), not the other players after the dealer. You must defeat
the dealer to win, regardless of what cards the other players
have.
HOW TO COUNT CARDS
STEP 1 – Sit at the Black Jack Table and Make the Minimum
Bet (or more)
1
2
3
4
· To participate in game play, you must place at least the stated
minimum bet on the table before a game begins (see Figure 1).
· The dealer will then sweep his/her hand across the table and
scan to see who is going to play. He/she will then deal the
cards.
· Note: You have to make the minimum bet (or more) each time
you play.
Figure 1: Players 1 and 4 have made the minimum bet and are
going to play. Player 2 has opted out of playing this round,
while Player 3 is feeling confident, betting a large amount of
chips.
STEP 2 – The Running Count: Assigning values to the visible
cards on the table
· Once the cards have been dealt, assign points (+1, -1 or 0) to
the various cards visible on the table (see Figure 2).
· The sum of points of all the cards on the playing field is called
the running count (see figure 3).

4. · The count continues as long as you are sitting at the table. It
does not reset after each hand. The count only resets when the
deck is re-shuffled or replaced (see figure 4).
Example 2*
Running Count = +6
* Includes count from previous hand
Example 1
Running Count = 0
Figure 4: +7 (7 low cards) – 1 (1 high card) + 0 (5 neutral) +
Count of 0 (previous hand) gives a running count of +6.
Figure 3: +5 points for 4 face cards and a 10. -5 for 5 low cards.
The two 8’s are worth 0 points. The running count (sum) is 0.
Figure 2: Each card has a point value for the running count.
High cards are worth -1 points, mid-range cards are worth 0,
and low cards are worth +1.
0 Each
+1 Each
-1 Each
Step 3: Determine the true count (how much do we know?)
· Calculate the true count using the formula below:
TRUE COUNT = RUNNING COUNT / NUMBER OF DECKS
REMAINING
The true count is simply the running count divided by the
number of decks remaining in the shoe.
· The more decks remaining in the shoe, the less the card
counter knows what card values would likely come next. The
fewer decks remaining, the more reliable the running count.
This is represented by the true count.
More Data

5. Running Count is more accurate
Less Data
Running Count is less accurate
More Decks Remaining
Fewer Decks Remaining
Figure 5: The true count is important because it tells the card
counter how big the sample size is for his/her statistics and how
“accurate” his/her running count is.
Step 4: Assess Your Hand(s) – Interaction of True Count and
Basic Strategy
· As card counters, we want a high true count value because
cards with value 10 (10s and face cards) and aces result in a
blackjacks and winning hands. They also are more likely to
cause the dealer to bust (all the players win).
· Your actions in the game should be governed by two factors:
the true count and your basic strategy. Your basic strategy is
your set of principles that tells you what move to make
regardless of the count (for example, do not “hit” when you
already have 20). These two factors should work together.
· Example: Say you are dealt a hard 15 (10 and a 5) and the
dealer is showing a 7 (and has their hole card face down).

6. Normally, your basic strategy dictates you should “hit” (draw
another card). However, if there is a very high true count (lots
of 10s in the deck), you might want to rethink your decision.
Conclusion: Basic strategy and card counting work together.
Step 5: Play Your Hand(s)
· Counting cards is done while playing hands at game speed.
When it is your turn, you have to decide what to do.
· You can “hit” or “stand”. You can also do more advanced
moves like “split” and “double down” (see page 4).
Step 6: Repeat Steps 2-5 and Hedge Your Bets
· One of the more important concepts in card counting is
hedging your bets.
· This means that you should bet more when you have a
statistical advantage and bet less when you have a disadvantage
(often easier said than done). In other words, “bet big to cover
your losses.”
Figure 6: A large bet (left) and a small bet (right). Place higher
bets when there is a higher true count since you have higher
odds of winning and vice versa.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and PRACTICE TIPS
A Good Beginner’s Basic Strategy
General Dos and Don’ts (unless the count tells you otherwise)

7. ALWAYS
*Always Hit a soft 17. (i.e. one of the cards is an ace).
**Always stand on a hard 17.
***Always Double down on 11
****Always split aces and 8s.
NEVER
· Never Split 5s or 10s.
· Never stand on a 12 – 16 if the dealer is showing a 7 or
higher.
Note: these are more advanced tips for a sophisticated blackjack
player. See definitions below.
*A soft hand hand has a flexible value because it contains 1 ace
(i.e. a soft 17 would be a 6 and and Ace (6+11 = 17)).
** A hard hand has a non–flexible value because it contains no
aces (i.e. a hard 17 would be a 10( or J,Q or K) and a 7)).
*** The player may elect to double his/her original bet if he/she
likes the first 2 cards he/she is dealt; this process is called
double down.
**** The player may elect to double his/her original bet and
split the first 2 cards he/she is dealt into 2 separate hands, and
then draw and additional card for each of the two hands. This is
called a split.
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
As in anything else, card counting and becoming a sophisticated
blackjack player take time, patience, and most important,
practice. This guide provides the basic tools to get you started.
Try practicing your counting with a deck(s) by yourself or with
a friend.

8. For more resources to learn to count cards, check out the links
below:
1) www.blackjackinstitute.com/store/index.php
2) www.cardcountingtrainer.com/card-counting-trainer-2
3) www.cardcountingtrainer.com/blackjack-simulator)
This guide was created by Alex Meleshko. This guide does not
in any way guarantee the success or failure of a participant in
any blackjack game in any setting. The author will assume no
responsibility for monetary gains or losses incurred directly or
indirectly resulting from this guide.
One Side of One Page
1 page assignment
Scattering of Sunlight Report Writing Guidelines
Source:
http://www.atmo.arizona.edu/courses/spring18/atmo170a1s2/1S
1P_stuff/scattering_of_light/scattering_of_light.html
Content
Here are some of the main points to think about while you read
about scattering of sunlight and to discuss when you write your

9. report:
How does the scattering of sunlight by air molecules differ from
the scattering by particulates, water droplets, and ice crystals.
Are we able to see the light scattered by air?
How does the concentration of particulates in the air affect the
color of the sky? How does scattering of sunlight by
particulates affect visibility?
Is the expression "On a clear day you can see forever" really
true?
Explain why the sun turns yellow, orange, even red when it sets.
Writing Quality
Here are some things you can do to maximize your chances of
earning a high writing quality grade:
Explain the material in your own words - your report should be
your understanding and explanation of the material. Avoid
generalities, try to include specific details and examples from
the reading section. The separate sections or paragraphs of your
paper should blend together into one seamless coherent
report. Your report should be nearly free of misspelled words
and grammatical errors.
WRIT 121: Introduction to Technical Writing
Unit 2: Instructions with graphics
Draft Due: Friday,Feb. ,9 for peer review/usability testing
Final Paper Due: Friday, Feb. 16
Please submit your topic to me by e-mail by midnight on Friday,
Feb. 2.
We will schedule Usability Testing.Final Deliverables are due
via email transmittal or Moodle by midnight Friday, Sept. 29.
Final version of the instructions in Word or PDF format, named

10. using the following convention:
YourNameUnit2InstructionsWRIT121.
“One of the most common and one of the most important uses
of technical writing is instructions—those step-by-step
explanations of how to do things: assemble something, operate
something, repair something, or do routine maintenance on
something,” David McMurrey writes in his Free Online
Textbook for Technical Writing
(https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/instrux.html)
The ability to write clear, easy-to-understand instructions will
help you communicate effectively in the workplace. This
assignment is intended to help you develop skills to create
simple, straightforward instructions.
Other requirements:
· Include an introductory section that clearly states the purpose,
audience, and conditions needed to use these instructions. This
section may require more than a single paragraph.
· List of materials
· Sequential steps expressed in imperative statements, with
cautions and notes as needed.
· Effective, useful, original graphics, appropriately placed,
labeled, and called out in the text. You are expected to create
your own graphic, either (1) a drawing created using the vector
based program of your choice, or (2) a digital photograph that
you’ve taken and labeled using Word, or (2) a hand-drawn
illustration that you’ve scanned and labeled using Word. Do not
use graphics downloaded from the Internet or clip art.
· Readable, 11- or 12-point font; 1-inch margins, page numbers
· Length minimum of 2 pages, but not to exceed 4 pages

11. Instructions to be followed by another person are difficult to
write. A reader must be clear and concise to a reader from any
background. Your task is to design a set of instructions that a
user can follow without asking for clarification—self-contained
and self-explanatory. Assume that the instructions are to be sent
out to the public in items to be purchased or mailed to the
recipient. No coaching from the writers will be allowed during
the peer review/testing.
You will choose your topic and write original instructions.
Information contained in the instructions will be based on first-
hand observation and experience. The topic can be how to do,
design, make, or assemble something (eg., how to sew on a
button, wire a lamp, assemble a piece of equipment, use a
mechanical device). Instructions involving the following items
are not permitted for this assignment: food, weapons, computer
data bases/search engines, electronic devices.
Suggestion: It is difficult determine how a user will interpret, or
misinterpret, what has been written. Instructions should be
tested by someone not involved with preparing the instructions.
Ask a friend, a family member, or a co-worker to test the
instructions. Observe them while they use the instructions.
Schedule at least two tests (and rewrites based on those tests)
before you finalize your instructions.
Worksheet for Planning and Preparing a Set of Instructions
(adapted from Technical Report Writing Today, D. Riordan
· Name the audience for these instructions
· Are they beginners or intermediates?
· What is your goal for your readers?

12. · Analyze the process
· Construct a flow chart that moves backwards from the end
goal
· List conditions that must be true for the end goal to occur
· List unfamiliar words and terms
· List necessary materials
· Plan and construct a style sheet
· Headings
· Margins/columns
· Method of treating individual
steps/substeps/cautions/notes/results, etc.
· Size and position of visuals
· Style for captions
· Convert the topic of each box in the flow chart into an
imperative instruction
· Add cautions, notes, results, and substeps
· Decide on a sequence of steps or steps with substeps
· Decide where to place results of an action
· Decide where to place notes, variations, cautions, etc.
· Add appropriate visual aids

13. · What will you tell the readers in the Introduction?
· Purpose/goal? Yes, this is an essential content requirement.
· Definitions? Yes, a formal, extended definition is required.
· Background? Consider the reader and provide any essential
info they might need to know.
· Materials? Yes, this is an essential content requirement.
· Place visuals to illustrate or show the effect of the action
Questions to consider when testing and evaluating draft
instructions:
· Does the introduction explain the goal for readers?
· Does the introduction clearly provide sufficient
definition/description to meet the users needs.
· Does the introduction contain all the necessary information on
special conditions, materials and tools?
· Is each step a single, clear action stated in the imperative
mood?
· Do all steps have all necessary information: result of the
action, safety warning, notes?
· Do the steps follow in a clear sequence? Are appropriate
visual aids present? (Do any steps either need or not need a
visual aid?)
· Are the visual aids presented effectively (size, caption,

14. position on page)?
· Does the page layout (white space, heads, chunks) help the
reader?
Based on an assignment developed by Katherine Eccleston,
MSTC, Professional and Technical Communication Department
PAGE
1