The Best Printable Numbers and Counting Activities. This list includes a variety of hands-on counting activities and number sense activities that will keep children engaged and excited while also being very effective. When blackjack card counting was first popularized in the early 1960’s, the idea that the edge changes as cards are dealt from the shoe was revolutionary. Card Counting Analysis, 101 Jump to navigation. VIDEO 1 of 5: What is Card Counting (And How Does it Work)? Continue The Card Counting Mini-Course. VIDEO 2 of 5: Why Card Counting is NOT Gambling. VIDEO 3 of 5: How to Count Cards (and 2 Tips) VIDEO 4 of 5: Four Key Mistakes Blackjack Players Make. This is Bird Counting 101, the first of two articles intended to help you learn how to count birds. This introduction to bird counting deals with basic concepts, why estimating numbers is important, and illustrates some examples of techniques for counting single-species flocks. Counting Cards Can Be Broken Into 4 Steps: Step 1. Assign a value to every card; Step 2. Keep a “Running Count” based off of the values of the card dealt; Step 3. Use this information to calculate the count per deck or “true count” Step 4. Change your bets as the true count rises.
Cover number sense standards with this Numbers, Counting and Ordering unit of study for 1st and 2nd grades.
This is another free unit of study for teachers from The Curriculum Corner.
This number sense unit of study is designed to be an introductory math unit for your school year.
You can introduce or review number sense skills with these lessons. Choose the activities that fit your students’ needs.
You will find the complete collection of printables needed for these lessons by clicking on the bold Number Sense Unit, blue words at the bottom of this post.
You might also need this free collection when studying number sense:
Some of the materials you will need to complete the activities below are found within our
(Click the blue title to be able to download the free kit.)
Ideas for your Number Sense Unit of Study
Get active with a Life-Size Number Line!
- Create your own using the full size number cards found within our math tools collection.
- Tape the number cards on the floor to create a number line.
- Another alternative is to line up 10 students and have each hold a number card.
- Choose a volunteer student to start on a given number. Have the student practice going up or down a given number. For example, you might ask a student to count up 2. The student will demonstrate moving up 2. Be sure to talk about where the student started and ended.
- You might enforce the skills being practice by writing an addition or subtraction fact on the board.
Printable Number Line Practice
Within the download, you will find multiple number line practice pages. Students practice moving up and down on a number line.
Help Students Build Beginning Number Relationships!
We suggest printing the dot cards found within our math tools collection to help students build number relationships. Along with the dot cards, we also like having dominoes to use as an additional manipulative.
Ideas for introducing these materials during your reading workshop are below:
- Share the dot cards and dominoes with students.
- Have students practice identifying the number of dots on each.
- Have students share observations and patterns they see. Students might notice that a domino with six dots is a double of three or a domino with one dot doesn’t make a pair.
- Allow students to get in small groups and practice recognizing numbers on the cards and dominoes.
- Place students in partners or small groups. Give each group a set of ten frame flashcards. Students practice identifying the numbers on each card.
- Once students have been introduced to the concept of using dominoes and dot cards for math, these make an easy, ready to go center or morning activity.
Beginning Number Relationships Students practice recognizing sets of objects in patterned arrangements using dot cards and dominoes.
Demonstrate Part-Part-Whole Relationships to Build Number Sense
To work on this concept, students will practice finding combinations to make a number using 2 and 3 parts.
How to Use our Football Cards
- You can use the cards containing 10 footballs. Laminate and cut apart so you have 10 footballs. (You might even enlarge the footballs when printing to make your manipulatives larger.)
- Attach magnets to the back and you can use on your board to demonstrate part-part-whole relationships.
- Place the 10 football magnets on the board.
- Have students look at them and find a combination they can use to make the number 10. For example: 5 + 5 = 10, 4 + 6 = 10, etc. Create a list of the problems the students find.
- Repeat this activity with different numbers of football (i.e. work to make a list of combinations that will make the sum of 8.)
- For older students you may choose to move on to combinations of three numbers to create the whole.
After practicing as a whole group, place students in small groups. Give each group counters and whiteboards or pencil and paper. Have students practice creating part-part-whole relationships with different numbers.
I love this as a morning activity as well. Put a number on the board (start with a number between 1 and 10 and then increase the number as students get better at the activity.) Have students write a part-part-whole relationship on the board under the number when they enter the room. Students love trying to think of the most creative way to get to the number. They will soon move on from two numbers to using three and four numbers.
Help Students Anchor Numbers to Five and Ten to Build Number Sense
Use 5 and 10 frames (you will find some in the download) to help students build an understanding of 5s and 10s. You will also find 5 and 10 frames flashcards within our math tools kit that you can use in your classroom.
Using the blank five and ten frame charts:
- Five and Ten Frame Cards (It is a good idea to print and laminate these for durability. They make great flashcards! You should make enough sets for each pair or group of three to have their own to use.)
- You can also make a set of large cards – just increase the size.
- Round counters or bingo chips (Items in the shape of a circle are best, it will allow for consistency when students move on to the ten frame flashcards. )
Procedure:
![Card Card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/223310939247-0-1/s-l1000.jpg)
- Give each student a blank five frame chart and counters or markers. Give students numbers between 1 and 5 and have them place counters on the frame to create the number.
- Have students share observations they make after they create each number. Students may notice that the number 3 has 2 empty boxes, the number 5 can fill the row and there are five empty boxes when you make the number zero.
- When students are comfortable with the five frames, introduce the five frame flashcards. Hold one card up and have students identify the number of dots. Place students in partners or small groups. Give each group a set of five frame flashcards. Students practice identifying the numbers on each card. Repeat the activities for the ten frames.
- Extension Activities: Once students are comfortable with identifying the number of dots, you can add these activities to practice time. Say the number of empty spaces on the card instead of the number of dots. Say one more than the number of dots (also practice two more, one less or two less) Say the ten fact (if there are three dots – 3 + 7 = 10)
Helping Students with Reading and Writing Numbers to 100
Within the number sense download you will find the following:
- Beginning Number Words reading and writing numbers to 10, includes drawing pictures
- Reading Number Words to 100 practice page for homework or use as an assessment
- I Have, Who Has reading numerals game – contains 30 cards for a whole class game (print on colored cardstock and laminate for durability)
- I Have, Who Has reading number words game – contains 30 cards for a whole class game
- Read the Number independent practice activity or center with printable number word cards
Counting On and Counting Back to 50
Large number cards, printed and laminated (We have created a set of 10 – 20, a set of 30 – 40 and a set of 40 – 50. We have also included 70-80 for the next set of activities. )
- Make Space! (Move desks aside in your room or ahead outside.)
- Hand ten students a number card. Have them line up in order and sit while holding their number card in front of them for other students to see.
- Choose a student that is not part of your number line and give them a number to stand in front of. Give them a number to move to. Ask how many jumps it was from the beginning to end. Repeat with other students.
- With a different set of cards, only hand out 7. Have the students get in order, leaving a space where a number is missing. Ask students to identify which numbers are missing.
- These activities can become morning centers.
Counting On and Counting Back to 100
(missing numbers in a series, identify number of jumps between numbers)
What’s Missing? – students complete the 100s charts. We have included charts with missing 10s, 5s and random numbers.
Comparing Whole Numbers to 100(arranging whole numbers in order)
- Practice Activity Page comparing numbers to 30
- Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To Center Laminate and cut out the number cards and work mats. Students follow the directions on the work mats, recording the inequalities they make.
Estimating With Whole Numbers
Estimation Station – Number three jars 1, 2 and 3. Put small items in each jar (marbles, beans, counters, jelly beans, etc.) Set up a station where you can place the three jars and copies of the recording sheet. For a morning center, students practice estimating and record their estimates on the paper. This station can be done every morning or once a week for extra practice.
Counting by Twos, Fives and Tens
No lesson plan is needed to practice these counting skills!
Choose a pattern and have students stand up. Give students an exercise such as jumping jacks, toe touches or windmills. Students count by 2s, 5s or 10s as they do each movement. Children love getting the chance to create their own movement.
This practice can also be done in the hallway with whispering voices.
![101 101](https://microless.com/cdn/products/7533c957c0be0b101ea5bf529dd9e5a1-hi.jpg)
Card Counting 101
We’ve included a practice page for counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. The simple design is great to use as a pre- and post-test.
Working on Skip Counting Patterns
Use the practice pages we have created to work on patterns.
Includes pages for working on patterns up to 100 along with patterns between 100 and 1,000.
Odd or Even Numbers
To teach odd and even numbers, try these free resources: Odd and Even Numbers.
We have included two odd and even number practice pages in the download below.
Ordinal Numbers
Use assorted shapes to help students practice using ordinal numbers. I would give my students a handful of shapes, they make a random line of ten, and get to work.
Building Number Sense with 100s Chart Math
You will find printable 100s chart to be used for these activities within our math tool kit. These 100s Chart Practice Pages require your students to weave reading skills with math skills. There are four different options.
You can download the complete Number Sense: Numbers, Counting & Ordering Unit of Study here:
Blackjack Card Counting 101
Number Unit
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Welcome to black jack card counting 101. If you’re interested in learning how to count cards to gain a real edge in the game of blackjack, this is a great place to start.
Unfortunately, card counting is not a skill that you can pick up with a secret handshake or a cheat sheet. Counting cards is difficult, and learning how to do it well will require patience, determination, and lots of practice. The key is to reach a level where counting cards is no longer just a novel trick but an ingrained instinct – and that takes time.
Luckily the training process can be fun, especially if you enjoy playing blackjack (online). Once you’ve mastered even the most basic card counting techniques, you’ll be part of an elite group of blackjack champs who will forever be one step ahead of the competition.
Card Counting Step by Step
This guide is meant for absolute beginners. If you’re already a blackjack champ, you can skip to Step IV.
I. Learn the rules
First thing’s first! Read up on the blackjack rules. It’s no use being a counting whiz if have not yet mastered the basics of the game. Blackjack comes in a rainbow of game variations so make sure you know what style you intend to be playing. (Hint: novelty, online and tournament variations are not suited to card counting.)
First thing’s first! Read up on the blackjack rules. It’s no use being a counting whiz if have not yet mastered the basics of the game. Blackjack comes in a rainbow of game variations so make sure you know what style you intend to be playing. (Hint: novelty, online and tournament variations are not suited to card counting.)
II. Master basic strategy
Once you know the basics, it’s time to learn more. Our blackjack strategy guides are a great place to start. Required time for memorization: 20-30 hours.
Once you know the basics, it’s time to learn more. Our blackjack strategy guides are a great place to start. Required time for memorization: 20-30 hours.
III. Playing and practicing
Now it’s time to play as much blackjack as you can. A good place to start is with these online blackjack games free. After a while you will begin to notice common card combinations, and you will start to understand how to react to each one. You should expect to spend another 20 hours or more on this step. It’s important to have as much experience playing with basic strategy as you can get.
Now it’s time to play as much blackjack as you can. A good place to start is with these online blackjack games free. After a while you will begin to notice common card combinations, and you will start to understand how to react to each one. You should expect to spend another 20 hours or more on this step. It’s important to have as much experience playing with basic strategy as you can get.
IV. Learning the card values of a counting system
By now, playing blackjack should be easy, and you should know instinctively how to react to any situation. It’s time to start counting cards!
By now, playing blackjack should be easy, and you should know instinctively how to react to any situation. It’s time to start counting cards!
First you must decide which system you want to learn. In general the two systems most often recommended for beginners are the Knock-Out KO Count or the Hi-Lo Count. The primary difference between these two is that the KO count does not require a conversion to the true count and saves an extra step by sacrificing a little accuracy.
The first step towards counting cards once you’ve chosen a system is memorizing the relative value of each card in the deck, and learning to count down a deck. Since we have recommended the Hi-Lo count we’ll base our examples on that system.
Count +1 |
Count 0 |
Count -1 |
In the High-Low card count there is only 1 level of value, so cards are counted as +1, 0, or -1. All 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 cards have a value of 1. 7, 8, and 9 have a value of 0. 10, J, K, Q cards all have a value of -1. Some counters will advise you to learn not to notice that 7, 8, and 9 cards exist at all to minimize the number of things that you must pay attention to.
IV. Counting down the deck
Once you remember these numbers, try counting down the deck. Do this by dealing cards one at a time, and mentally count all the cards until you have gone through all of them. If you have counted correctly you should wind up with zero, because the Hi-Lo count is a balanced card counting system. Practice counting down the deck until you can quickly and accurately count through the deck to a zero count with no cards remaining.
Once you remember these numbers, try counting down the deck. Do this by dealing cards one at a time, and mentally count all the cards until you have gone through all of them. If you have counted correctly you should wind up with zero, because the Hi-Lo count is a balanced card counting system. Practice counting down the deck until you can quickly and accurately count through the deck to a zero count with no cards remaining.
When you’re actually playing blackjack, keeping track of the cards in this way is known as keeping a “running count” of the game.
The time required to learn how to keep a running count of a single deck is approximately 30 hours.
VI. Converting to the true count
When you can count through a single deck, it’s time to learn how to apply it to a multi-deck shoe. This involves converting the running count, which you calculated above, into a true count.
When you can count through a single deck, it’s time to learn how to apply it to a multi-deck shoe. This involves converting the running count, which you calculated above, into a true count.
True count takes into consideration the number of decks being used, as well the number of decks still to be dealt. It is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks still in the shoe.
The reason we need to do this when playing with more than one deck is because the same running count can mean different things depending on how far along the game is. For example, a running count of +10 is much better if there are 2 decks remaining as opposed to a shoe with 5 decks remaining.
Let’s look at an example. If you have a four deck game with a running count of +6 you have to look at the discard tray to calculate how many decks are remaining. In this case we’ll estimate that 3 decks remain so that the true count is then +2.
Eventually you will run into the problem of dividing with fractions or numbers with decimals and you will learn to handle these calculations smoothly as you switch between the running and true count.
This is usually the step that takes the longest to master at a conservative 60 hours.
VII. Distraction training
Counting cards while dealing out of a deck at home is one thing. Sitting in a crowded, noisy casino and trying to keep a true count of an 8 deck shoe is completely different. The last and most difficult step in learning to count cards is learning to do it in a distracting environment.
Counting cards while dealing out of a deck at home is one thing. Sitting in a crowded, noisy casino and trying to keep a true count of an 8 deck shoe is completely different. The last and most difficult step in learning to count cards is learning to do it in a distracting environment.
Start small. While counting at home, add background music. When that fails to throw you off, add something like a loud television and a roommate or spouse. The best practice session would be at a loud party or a rambunctious family reunion. Of course you’ll want to make sure that this new skill doesn’t prevent you from also enjoying other people and activities going on!
When you can keep track of a deck and hold a conversation with someone while there are all sorts of noises going on in the background, then you’re ready to take your new skills to the casino. Estimated time for mastery is generally around 25 hours.
If you’ve paid attention to the time estimates for each step, you are looking at about 165 hours of training. The exact number will depend on you, and on how determined you are to come out ahead. Learning to count cards in blackjack is a big undertaking, but trust us when we say that it’s a very rewarding experience!
Card Counting Tips
Before you dive in and start learning, here are a few tips you should know.
Be subtle
Counting cards is not against the law, but casinos don’t like it, and you can get thrown out if you’re caught. The biggest mistakes beginners make is not being subtle. If the dealer sees you muttering under your breath, or constantly checking the discard pile as you try to calculate the true count of the game, he will get suspicious. Learn to act casual, and practice counting until you can do it instinctively.
Counting cards is not against the law, but casinos don’t like it, and you can get thrown out if you’re caught. The biggest mistakes beginners make is not being subtle. If the dealer sees you muttering under your breath, or constantly checking the discard pile as you try to calculate the true count of the game, he will get suspicious. Learn to act casual, and practice counting until you can do it instinctively.
Don’t bother counting online
Online blackjack is a wonderful thing, but internet games are no good for card counters. The reason for this is simple: the deck gets shuffled after every hand, making card counting useless. This makes sense, since counting cards online would be so easy. You could even use a pen and paper! Of course, playing online is still a great way to practice, so keep your blackjack casino online accounts open while you learn to count cards.
Online blackjack is a wonderful thing, but internet games are no good for card counters. The reason for this is simple: the deck gets shuffled after every hand, making card counting useless. This makes sense, since counting cards online would be so easy. You could even use a pen and paper! Of course, playing online is still a great way to practice, so keep your blackjack casino online accounts open while you learn to count cards.
Read, read, read
We have covered the basics here, but there are literally hundreds of blackjack card counting books out there. Grab a few and learn more!
We have covered the basics here, but there are literally hundreds of blackjack card counting books out there. Grab a few and learn more!
Blackjack Card Counting 101
Don’t overestimate your skills
Like we said from the very beginning, counting cards is difficult. Even if you think you’re ready to hit the tables, you probably have quite a lot to learn. Don’t expect to fumble about with a deck for a few hours and think you can count cards, it takes a lot of practice to perfect.
Like we said from the very beginning, counting cards is difficult. Even if you think you’re ready to hit the tables, you probably have quite a lot to learn. Don’t expect to fumble about with a deck for a few hours and think you can count cards, it takes a lot of practice to perfect.
Card Counting 21
That’s it – you have completed Card Counting 101. Good luck!