If you have heard of the ace sequencing strategy in blackjack, you have Tommy Hyland to thank. He is believed to be one of the players who paved the way for blackjack casino players to use this method and not face jail time.
But, if you are still getting familiar with this strategy or wondering what it is and whether it is a good strategy, keep reading.
What Is Ace Sequencing?
Ace sequencing is a blackjack strategy that involves keeping track of the ace cards already dealt from the deck. The aim is to track the cards discarded immediately following an ace to determine when that ace may next appear.
The ace sequencing technique is considered a form of shuffle tracking. So, in blackjack, aces are considered the most valuable cards in the deck for players, as they are worth either 1 or 11 points, and they can help you make strong hands such as blackjack (a 10-value card and an ace) or hands with a total of 21.
Therefore, keeping track of aces is a way to increase the chances of making good hands and potentially winning.
How Does Ace Sequencing Work?
Ace sequencing is typically used by players who are counting cards in blackjack. Card counting is a technique where players keep track of the proportion of high cards, such as aces and 10-value cards, to low cards that have been dealt from a deck.
To use ace sequencing, you typically watch for when aces have been discarded in previous rounds and memorise 2-3 cards that immediately follow the ace.
As the casino game progresses, you then keep an eye out for the cards you took note of to give an indication of when the ace may appear.
When Does Ace Sequencing Work Best?
Ace sequencing is a technique that works best in games where the deck is not shuffled after each round. As such, you may have better odds of accurately implementing ace sequencing in live blackjack games than in online blackjack games.
But in games where the cards aren't shuffled often, you can keep track of the cards that have been dealt, which allows you to adjust your strategy accordingly.
This strategy works best on 6 to 8-deck games of blackjack as the dealer is more likely to use simple shuffles to avoid taking up too much time doing more complex shuffles. Hence, it's likely that the 2-3 cards you memorised are still next to the ace and a good indicator of its arrival due to the less thorough shuffling.
Additionally, some casinos use automatic shufflers, making it even more challenging for players to keep track of the cards.
Is Ace Sequencing a Good Strategy?
Ace sequencing can be a valuable tool for players who are counting cards in blackjack, as it can provide them with additional information about the makeup of the remaining deck.
However, ace sequencing is not a standalone strategy and is usually used in conjunction with other card-counting techniques. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that card counting has its challenges and limitations.
Ace sequencing is a technique that can indicate when aces may appear in blackjack, and when done correctly, it can be advantageous for the player. The judge who was presiding over the case of Tommy Hayland about ace sequencing called it an intelligent blackjack strategy.
However, it's important to note that it is not foolproof. The accuracy of ace sequencing can be affected by several factors, including the dealer's skill, the number of decks used, and your card-counting skills.
Additionally, casinos have implemented various countermeasures to detect card counters, and if you are caught, you can be banned from the casino.
Furthermore, even if you are able to count cards successfully and use ace sequencing, it is still not a guarantee of success. Blackjack is still a game of chance; no strategy can fully eliminate the house edge.
So, as a player, you should always set a budget and play responsibly. Do not chase your losses.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time.
