Blackjack

Beginner

KO (Knock-Out) System

Complete Advantage Play Strategy Guide

Blackjack

Quick Stats

Expected Edge

0.5-1.2%

Bankroll Required

Medium ($1,000-3,000)

Time to Learn

1-3 weeks

Additional Metrics

betting Correlation

98%

playing Efficiency

52%

insurance Correlation

78%

Overview

An unbalanced counting system that eliminates the need for true count conversion. Simpler than Hi-Lo with nearly identical power, making it perfect for beginners.

Strategy

Assign +1 to cards 2-7, -1 to 10-Ace, and 0 to 8-9. The system is unbalanced, so you start at a key count (varies by decks) rather than zero. When your running count exceeds the pivot point, increase bets. No true count conversion needed.

What to Look For

Same game conditions as Hi-Lo
3:2 blackjack payout
Low minimum tables for easier spread
Crowded tables (more hands seen per shuffle)

Risks & Considerations

Same detection risks as any counting system
Slightly less powerful than Hi-Lo in deeply dealt shoes
Still requires disciplined practice

Pro Tip

Always start with proper bankroll management. Even with an edge, variance can be brutal. Never risk more than 1-2% of your total bankroll on a single session, and ensure you have at least 20-30 buy-ins for your chosen stakes.

Basic Strategy Chart

4-6 Decks, S17, DAS, Late Surrender

Legend

HHit

SStand

DDouble (Hit if not allowed)

DSDouble (Stand if not allowed)

PSplit

RhSurrender (Hit if not allowed)

RsSurrender (Stand if not allowed)

Hard Total	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	Rh	Rh
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	Rh	Rh	Rh
5-8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Pro Tips

• Always split Aces and 8s
• Never split 5s or 10s
• Double down on 11 against everything except Ace
• Stand on 17 or higher (except soft 17)
• Never take insurance (unless counting cards at TC +3)

More Blackjack Strategies

4 strategies

All Table Games

Omega II System

KO (Knock-Out) System

Blackjack

Quick Stats

Additional Metrics

Overview

Strategy

What to Look For

Risks & Considerations

Basic Strategy Chart

Pro Tips

More Blackjack Strategies

Hi-Lo Card Counting

Omega II System

Illustrious 18 Deviations

Hole Carding Blackjack

Hard Total	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	Rh	Rh
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	Rh	Rh	Rh
5-8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Hard Total	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	Rh	Rh
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	Rh	Rh	Rh
5-8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Hard Total	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	Rh	Rh
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	Rh	Rh	Rh
5-8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S