Omega II Count | Advanced and Complicated Card Counting System
Omega II is an advanced card counting system that drew its attention from Bryce Carlson’s book “Blackjack for Blood” that was published in 2001. This system is classified as a level two system, making it more complicated than the Hi-Lo and K-O card counting systems. While complicated, this also meant that this system is much more accurate and effective than other systems.
This system is designed for single and double-deck games but it can still be useful for games where multiple decks are in play. The lower number of decks make it easier to keep an accurate count of neutrals and high value cards while a higher number of decks can complicate the count as even high counts may keep the player from winning a Natural as lower value cards get drawn due to their sheer number.
How Does Omega II Card Counting Work?
Omega II is a balanced system which means that players will start the count at 0 and the ending count should also be 0. Ending the count after all decks used in the session is exhausted on anything but a 0 means that the card counter lost count and failed to effectively use the system.
The goal in using this system is to wait for a high positive count to stake high. The reason for this can be explained by seeing how the cards are valued below:
Card Value | Assigned Value |
4, 5, 6 | +2 |
2, 3, 7 | +1 |
8, Ace | 0 |
9 | -1 |
10, Jack, Queen, King | -2 |
As seen above, 9s and above are valued negatively so a high count means that these cards are more likely to be drawn and the player can get dealt with these cards and allow for much bigger wins. Because 8s and Aces are neutral, some card counters can keep track of them separately for splitting and adjusting bets accordingly.
Is the Omega II Card Counting System Good?
Omega II is an advanced system that is likely not suitable for a lot of players. The only counters who should consider this system are the ones who have already mastered easier card counting systems as it can be difficult to keep track of the value when players haven’t been able to keep perfect track using simpler counting systems like Hi-Lo and Red Seven.
Experienced card counters may see value with this system, especially when considering that Aces and 8s are neutral. Newer counters can easily get confused with how 7s are valued and may mix up +1 and +2 value cards and effectively mess up the count. Additionally, only professional counters will likely be able to take full advantage of the neutral Aces and 8s by keeping track of them on a separate count or only focusing on keeping track of the Aces to anticipate Soft hands.
Is Omega II the Ultimate Card Counting System?
Possibly. The reason for this is that it has one of the most efficient and accurate means to keep track of the cards but the cost for this is the complexity of the system that can keep many gamblers from effectively using it. Most players are better off using simpler card counting systems to try and win big against the casino until they can be confident enough to try more difficult systems.
Applying Omega II in real money games requires intense concentration and prior practice and it can be difficult when playing at tables where multiple cards are drawn thanks to the number of seats. One way to practice may be through tables where only one seat is available and is shared by multiple players, like ONE Blackjack. The only downside is the slow gameplay that may not help players when forced to count cards at high speeds in more regular tables. Still, this can be useful for Power Blackjack’s Triple and Quadruple Downs.
One more thing to consider is that this system is designed for games with a small number of decks at play. Tables that use more than two decks at a time may screw up the count and keep players from maximizing the effectivity of this system.
Conclusion
The Omega II card counting system is arguably one of the best card counting systems out there, except that it can be pretty difficult to master. Those who can master this will be able to keep a more accurate track of which cards are dealt in a single session but the learning curve can be high thanks to how the cards are valued.
Still, experienced gamblers who want to practice can first try this out at ONE Blackjack before moving to more standard Lodibet blackjack games to be able to have an easier time counting the cards. Register at Lodibet casino and try out Omega II to start winning real money today.