Advantage Play & Game Integrity

Running count blackjack

In blackjack card counting, the running count is the sum of point values assigned to each card as it is dealt, kept as a single number that rises and falls with every exposed card.

Hi-Lo values: +1 for 2–6, 0 for 7–9, −1 for 10–Ace ²
Start value: 0 at the beginning of the deck or shoe ²

Key points

The running count is the raw total; the true count divides it by the number of decks remaining to give a deck-adjusted measure ¹.
A positive running count means more high cards remain, favouring the player; a negative count means more low cards remain ¹.
In Hi-Lo, the running count starts at 0 and is updated by adding or subtracting 1, 0, or −1 as each card is revealed ².

Common questions

What is considered a high count in blackjack?

A high count is typically a true count of +4 or higher in a Hi-Lo system, indicating a significant player advantage. The running count itself is less meaningful until converted to a true count, which accounts for the number of decks remaining ².

Where this term is used

Blackjack

Not the same as

Blackjack true count — the true count is the running count divided by the number of decks remaining, not the raw total

Advantage play Hi-lo count blackjack Explains the Hi-Lo card counting system, which assigns +1, 0, and −1 to cards to produce the running count. Advantage play Blackjack card counting Covers the broader method of tracking cards to gain an advantage, of which the running count is a key part. Advantage play Shuffle tracking blackjack Describes a technique that tracks groups of cards through the shuffle, distinct from counting individual cards. Advantage play Edge sorting blackjack Explains a physical identification method that exploits manufacturing imperfections, not a counting system. Advantage play Hi-lo system blackjack Details the most common card counting system, which produces the running count used in Hi-Lo. Advantage play Card counting machine blackjack Covers devices that automate counting, which are distinct from manual running count methods.

Sources

Card counting en.wikipedia.org Provides the definition of running count and its role in card counting.
Introduction to the High-Low Card Counting Strategy wizardofodds.com Gives the Hi-Lo point values and explains the conversion from running count to true count.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.