KO or as it is known, the Knockout method is a type of card counting strategy which had first been described in the well known book Knock Out Blackjack. In this system, every card is assigned a value which has to be remembered by the player. However, the only difference between KO and other card counting methods is that 7 is considered to be a low value card and therefore the value given to the 7 is different than in the other methods. Also, the KO card counting method is an unbalanced strategy.
The Card Values
Given below is the values assigned to the cards:
· Count +1- 2,3,4,5,6,7
· Count 0- 8,9
· Count -1- 10, J, Q, K, A
Unbalanced Strategy
The KO card counting method is an unbalanced blackjack strategy. What this means is that if the player begins counting at 0 and counts the entire deck with this strategy, the player would not end up at 0 at the end of the deck. Since 7 is given the value of +1, at the end of the deck the player would have a count of +4. Players who want the best results using the KO strategy would also have to keep a running count through the game.
The player would have to begin at 0 and then subtract or add 1 to the count according to the dealt cards on the table. When a new hand is dealt, the count has to be continued from the last hand and would not have to be refreshed until a new shoe is used. When the count is on the heavy on the lower or the higher side it shows that the cards in the deck too are heavy on that side.
Beginning the Count
In order to begin the KO count there is a formula which has to be used known as the initial running count. This formula is used to determine where the count should start from. When only one deck is used at the game, the count must begin at 0. However, for other situations the player would have to refer to the formula in order to start the count at the right stage.
Like with all other card counting methods, it would be necessary to practice the strategy at home for long before using it at games. The best way to practice is to count the entire deck and to cross check at the end of it. The count at the end of the deck should be +4. Also, the player would have to practice to keep a running count throughout the deck without pausing, without counting out loud, giving signals or any facial expressions and without making any mistakes at all. Once you are able to do this perfectly, it would be safe to use the KO card count at casinos without a problem. Several professional blackjack internet card counters use the KO count since it is easy to follow and is also effective.