Knockout Count

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  1. Knockout Count Gif
  2. Knockout Countdown

Developed by Ken Fuchs and Olaf Vancura in 1998, the KO method of counting cards is perhaps the best known unbalanced card system, which means the count does not equal 0 after an entire deck has been counted. It has even been endorsed by the father of card counting, Edward O. Thorp. Knockout was designed specifically to avoid the complicated conversions between running counts and true counts. Since the conversions are no longer necessary, the KO system reduces the estimation errors that can crop up during calculations in other balanced systems.

Knockout

How the KO (Knock Out) Card Counting System Works

Like any card counting system, the KO method assigns values of +1, 0, or -1 to the cards in a game of blackjack.

Knockout Card Point Values
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A
+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 0 0 -1 -1

Unlike the Hi-Lo system, KO assigns a +1 to 7s, which is the source of imbalance in the card count. Because there are four 7s in a deck, the final count of a single deck using the KO method results in a 4, rather than a 0. That's no mistake, either. The added value helps circumvent the need for converting the running count to a true count. Therefore, the Knockout system is incredibly easy to use—all it requires is that you maintain a single running count!

  1. James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing – Game Genie Codes The following are known Game Genie Codes for James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing on SEGA Genesis. PPGA-AEDLRounds last 30 seconds.
  2. However, the knockout system starting count depends on how many decks are being used. Below, we’ve built a handy chart to help you know what starting count you should use when using the KO system. One deck = Starting count of 0 Two decks = Starting count of -4.

Learn the Knockout count just as you would any other, by testing yourself with a deck of cards. In order to become a viable card counter, you have to make counting second nature. Go through each card in a deck, practicing the count on your own, such as:

  • 1st card is a 10, so the count is -1.
  • 2nd card is a 4, so the count becomes 0.
  • 3rd card is a 2, so the count becomes 1.

Knockout - Bon Jovi - Count Basie Theatre 10-1-16. A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, as well as fighting-based video games. A full knockout is considered any legal.

And so on, until you've made your way through the entire deck. You'll know you've got it figured out if your final count is 4 by the end of the deck.

For betting through the Knockout system, it's best to wager between 1 and 6 units during a two-deck game. The higher the count, the more you should bet. Six or eight deck games need a higher spread, making between 1 and 12 units the best option. Keep in mind that 1 betting unit is equal to the table minimum. Here's a table to help out:

Betting units
Running Count2 Decks6-8 Decks
0 or less 1 unit 1 unit
+1 2 units 2 units
+2 3 units 4 units
+3 4 units 8 units
+4 5 units 10 units
+5 or more 6 units 12 units

The betting strategy is just to get you started using the Knockout card counting system. Once you've had a bit of practice using it you can devise your own betting system to use with the KO count.

Books about the Knockout Method

The best resource for learning about the Knockout system would be Knock-Out Blackjack written by this method's creators, Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. The book, first published in 1998, describes the method in detail, and has received praise from both Edward O. Thorp and professional gambler Arnold Snyder.

Knockout Count

Another book with information about the Knockout card counting system that's worth checking out is The Theory of Blackjack by Peter A. Griffin. This resource offers deep insight into not only the KO method, but provides background on some of today's other great card counting systems, causing some people to consider The Theory of Blackjack the premier resource for serious players.

Knockout

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Card Counting

If you are already familiar with Hi/Lo and other basic counting systems, it may be time to learn a new system. This page discusses the Knockout card counting system.

Balanced versus Unbalanced Card Counts

Card counting systems are either balanced or unbalanced. Balanced means counting through an entire deck of cards will bring you to a count of zero (as at the start). An unbalanced count brings you to a number other than zero. Beginner counting systems such as the Hi/Lo system are balanced. The most well-known unbalanced system is the KO or Knockout system.

Unbalanced systems, in general, should not be tried by beginners. This is because it is harder to detect your errors when counting through a deck of cards. However, the KO system is an easy count to use even though it is unbalanced. The downside to this is it is slightly less accurate than the Hi/Lo count.

The Knockout Count

The KO system is not a counting method for boxing knockdowns. It is a blackjack counting system. This count is described in the book 'Knockout Blackjack' by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs.

Here is the value table for the KO system:

Card Value2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 +18, 9 010, Ace -1

The Knockout system is identical to the basic Hi/Lo count except that the 7 card is given a value of +1 just like the low cards. Since there are four cards of this denomination in a single deck, the final count after one deck is +4.

Its developers claim that the KO system makes it possible to eliminate the need to convert from running count to true count.

The Knockout system sacrifices accuracy for convenience. It is good for the casual player who wants to use a friendly system. But it is not the most accurate count available. It is, however, still useful. If you are only playing blackjack for fun, this is a good system to try.

Practice Counting with the KO

Knockout Count Gif

Knockout Count

Now you can practice the Knockout system with a single deck. Deal one card at a time and count according to the table given previously. Below is an example sequence of dealt cards and how they should be counted.

Sequence 8, 2, 3, J, 9, 5, 6Value 0 0, +1, +2, +1, +1, +2, +3

When you get to the end of the deck, your final count must be +4. If it is not +4, you made an error in your count. Repeat until you can count flawlessly using the Knockout system in 30-40 seconds.

Knockout Countdown

This is the Knockout card counting system. It is the simplest of the unbalanced systems.