The balanced card counting system is more advanced than the unbalanced system. The key difference is that balanced systems convert the Running Count to a True Count to provide better approximations and more accurate betting decisions.
How True Count Works
In balanced systems, the True Count is derived by dividing the Running Count by the number of decks remaining:
True Count (TC) = Running Count / Number of Decks Remaining
A balanced deck — when all cards are dealt — returns to a Running Count of exactly 0.
The Hi-Lo Card Count
The Hi-Lo Count is one of the most popular balanced systems:
| Card | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10/J/Q/K | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
Notice that the 7 is neutral (0), unlike the Easy Red 7 Count where red 7s are +1.
The Hi-Lo Count is a great step up from unbalanced systems for players who want to improve accuracy.
The Revere Point Count
The Revere Point Count is a balanced system that is more complex than Hi-Lo but delivers better results:
| Card | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10/J/Q/K | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | +1 | +2 | +2 | +2 | +2 | +1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | -2 |
Key features:
- •Assigns +1 and +2 to low cards (more granularity)
- •Neutral cards are 8 and 9
- •7 is included in the count at +1
- •High cards are -2
Players often use a side count for Aces with this system — tracking the number of Aces dealt allows you to determine whether the dealer might hold a blackjack.
Additional Metrics in Balanced Systems
- •Betting Correlation (BC) — How accurately the system predicts betting advantage
- •Playing Efficiency (PE) — How well the system guides playing decisions (hit/stand/double)
- •Insurance Correlation (IC) — Accuracy for insurance decisions
Choosing the Right System
For beginners, start with the Easy Red 7 Count (unbalanced) or Hi-Lo (balanced). Once comfortable with the Hi-Lo, the Revere Point Count offers improved accuracy for serious players.