The Advanced Omega II Card Counting System

Basics of the Advanced Omega II System

Unlike simple methods for counting cards, the Omega II is a multi-level counting system because while some cards are assigned with values of 1 and -1, others are counted as 2 or -2. It is also balanced because the sum of the assigned values of all cards is 0. In addition, it is more effective when a second count is kept for the Aces, although this part of the method is not necessary.

Card Values

The Omega II system features a complicated structure and the values assigned to each card could be very confusing to players who are seeing the method for the first time. Once they memorize them, the system instantly becomes much simpler since the maths behind it is straightforward and easy to understand. More importantly, the Omega II is believed to be much more accurate than simple, level-1 systems such as the Hi-Lo.

• 2, 3, 7 – +1
• 4, 5, 6 – +2
• 9 – -1
• 10, J, Q, K – -2
• 8, A – 0

Separate Count for the Aces

Many multi-level counting systems keep a separate count for the Aces and the Advanced Omega II follows the same principle. In the main count, the Aces are neutral and are not added at all but they are actually among the most important cards in the deck. The reason is obvious – they form the strongest hand in the game, namely blackjack (Ace plus a 10-value card).

By keeping a second count only for the Aces, players can effectively track their odds of getting blackjack in the initial hand. This is very simple – players only need to count the Aces as they appear on the table. Then, they subtract that number by the total number of Aces in the game. For instance, one standard deck consists of 4 Aces, 2 decks have 8 Aces, and 4 decks have 12 Aces. The most common variations, namely 6 and 8-deck blackjack games, consist of 24 and 32 Aces, respectively.

How to Use the Advanced Omega II System?

Applying this system into a real-life game requires a lot of concentration and practice beforehand. Once players learn the card values, they should start using the method as soon as the cards are shuffled in the shoe. They start keeping a running count by adding and subtracting 1 or 2 as the cards are being dealt on the table. To illustrate the system, let us see this example:

After the cards are reshuffled and the dealer places the cut card, players make their bets. Omega II counters are advised to start with a 1-unit bet (it could be $5, $10, $50, etc.). The first cards on the table are 7, 5, Ace, 3, Queen, and 4, and the dealer’s upcard is an 8. They correspond to the values +1, +2, 0, +1, -2, +2, and 0, so the running count is +4 – we simply add and subtract the numbers starting from 0.

To estimate how favorable the shoe is to the player, we need to convert the running count into the true count by dividing it by the number of decks still left in the shoe. Since we started counting at the beginning of the new shoe, it contains the same number of decks – 4 or 6, for example. The exact number is irrelevant at this stage of the game since it will not be higher than +2. With this system, players increase their bet once the true count reaches +2. In this case, flat betting is recommended until the odds improve.

If the running count is +4 but after many hands have already been dealt and we have approximately 2 decks still in the shoe, we will divide 4 by 2 for a true count of +2. At this point, the player can place a 2-unit bet since the odds have improved. The higher the positive count (+2, +3, +4, +5), the higher the stakes should be. Once the true count drops below +2 (+1, 0, -1), the size of the bet is reduced to a single unit.

While the player keeps a running count during the game and estimates roughly the true count, he also counts the Aces that have appeared on the table. Shoes that are rich in Aces are more favorable to the player. When a high positive count is combined with a great Ace count, the bet size could be increased even more.