Card counting does not add the face values of the cards together. Instead, it tracks whether the cards already played make the remaining deck better or worse for the player.
In the beginner Hi-Lo system, low cards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 count as +1. Neutral cards 7, 8, 9 count as 0. High cards 10, J, Q, K, A count as -1.
Why? Low cards coming out is good for the player later, because more high cards remain in the shoe. High cards coming out is less favorable, because fewer strong cards remain for blackjacks, doubles, and dealer bust situations.
A positive running count means the deck is getting richer in high cards, which is generally better for the player. A negative running count means more low cards are still left, which usually favors the house.
Count every visible card on the table, including your cards, other players' exposed cards, and the dealer's visible cards. If you can see the card, you count it.
Player 1 gets 5 and K
Player 2 gets 3 and 9
Dealer shows 6
Hi-Lo running count:
Running count = +2
Use this trainer to read every visible card quickly, convert them into +1, 0, or -1, and build fast table intuition rather than trying to total the card faces.