With the launch of the new Apple iPhone 4, land based casinos are once again on high alert for players using the Blackjack Card Counter application on their smart phones or iPods.  The application can be installed onto an iPhone or iPod via the iTunes website and once on the phone, it enables the user whether they are a professional or amateur blackjack player, to keep track of their card count.  Here’s a little more on the app’s features:

Keeping track of the True Count: The Blackjack Card Counter application enables you to calculate the “True Count” more accurately than any manual method.  As the relevant buttons on the app are pressed, the total counted cards are recorded and adjusted to account for cards that are not recorded.  This then gives the user a “total cards dealt” number which is subsequently divided by 52 to represent the cards in the total deck dealt, giving the user the true count.  The app also for adjustment of the number of decks in the shoe within the information screen section.

Card Counting Methods: The application allows for a number of card counting strategy options to be employed by the player, and for each strategy he/she can press the relevant button that contains the face value of the cards drawn from the deck.  Depending on the strategy selected and on the value of the card, the application will either add or subtract 1 or 2 from the Running Count in order to adjust:

* Hi-Lo: Low cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (add 1 to total). High cards 10, J, Q, K and A (subtract 1 from total).
* Hi-Op I: Low cards 3, 4, 5, and 6 (add 1 to total). High cards 10, J, Q and K (subtract 1 from total).
* Hi-Op II: Low cards 2, 3, 6 and 7 (add 1 to total) 4 and 5 (add 2 to total). High cards 10, J, Q and K (subtract 2 from total).
* Omega II: Low cards 2 and 3 (add 1 to total) 4, 5 and 6 (add 2 to total). High cards 10, J, Q and K (subtract 2 from total).

After a shuffle the new deck button will have to be pressed in order to reset the strategy and count back to zero.

So what’s the fuss you may ask?  Well, it seems many land based casinos, particularly in Las Vegas, have seen increased wins at the blackjack tables as a result of card counting.  It was then discovered that some of the winners were using the Blackjack Card Counting app.  One would think that this would be easy to spot but it’s not thanks to the “stealth mode” feature which ensures that the iPhone or iPod touch screen remains off and as long as the user knows where the keys are located,  the program can be run without detection.

While card counting is not illegal, it will most certainly lead to expulsion from the casino if you’re caught!  Card counting with an electronic device however is illegal and can get you arrested if detected!  So be warned and rather keep these types of apps for measuring your own manual card counting abilities.