KO Count
⭐ RecommendedKnock-Out, developed by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. An unbalanced system that eliminates true count conversion — making it faster, cleaner, and more accurate under casino conditions.
The Key Difference from Hi-Lo
In Hi-Lo, 7 = 0. In KO, 7 = +1. That's it. One card changes everything — it makes the system unbalanced, which means you never need to calculate a true count. The running count IS your betting count.
Card Values
+1
2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7
7 is +1 in KO
(not 0 like Hi-Lo)
0
8 · 9
Neutral cards.
Ignore them.
−1
10 · J · Q · K · A
Same as Hi-Lo.
Starting Count by Deck
Because KO is unbalanced, you start at a negative number based on the number of decks. This pre-calibrates the count so your betting trigger is always +4 (the "pivot point").
Most casinos use 6 or 8 decks. Start at -20 or -28, raise bets when count reaches +4.
Betting with KO (6-deck example)
Why We Recommend KO
No true count conversion. With Hi-Lo you need to mentally divide your running count by decks remaining — constantly, mid-hand, while making conversation, while watching the dealer's hole card. KO eliminates this entirely.
Fewer errors = more money. A perfect KO player beats an imperfect Hi-Lo player every time. Execution accuracy matters more than theoretical edge.
Used by modern professional teams. Hi-Lo has the history (MIT team), but KO is what serious solo counters use today for its simplicity and accuracy under pressure.