Extra: Omega II

Omega II is a balanced multi-level card counting system using five values: -2, -1, 0, +1, and +2. Aces count as 0 in the main count and are tracked separately with an ace side count for more precise betting and insurance decisions — a structure similar to Hi-Opt I but with different card value assignments.

Omega II is designed to give the strongest signal (+2) to low cards — especially 4–6 — while providing finer high-card distinctions: 10/J/Q/K count as -2, 9 counts as -1, and A is zeroed out and tracked separately. This lets the main count more accurately reflect the density of 10-value cards, while ace information is supplemented via side count for complete betting and insurance decisions.

Omega II Card Values

CardCount
4–6+2
2, 3, 7+1
8, A0 (A tracked separately with ace side count)
9-1
10, J, Q, K-2

Ace Side Count and Ace Adjustment

Similar to Hi-Opt I, Omega II's main count (RC) treats A as 0 and separately tracks aces seen with an ace side count. The side count lets the app calculate the ace deficit — how many fewer aces have appeared than expected — and uses the following formula to adjust the true count for betting and insurance:

MetricMeaningFormula / Note
Running CountAce-neutral main countA = 0
True CountUsed for playing decisionsRC / decksRemaining
Ace SeenNumber of aces seenSide count
Ace DeficitHow many fewer aces than expectedusedCards / 13 - aceSeen
Adjusted RCRC adjusted by ace deficit and kRC + k × Ace Deficit
Betting TCUsed for betting decisionsAdjusted RC / decksRemaining
Insurance TCUsed for insurance decisionsSame as Betting TC

The k in the formula is the ace adjustment parameter in app settings, with a default value of 2. Increasing k amplifies the ace deficit's effect on Betting TC; decreasing it reduces the effect.

The app allows toggling ace side count on or off. When off, the main True Count is used for all decisions. When on, betting and insurance switch to the adjusted Betting TC. This toggle works the same as Hi-Opt I and can be adjusted in Game Settings.

Insurance

SituationBasic StrategyDeviation
Dealer ANo InsuranceTake insurance when Betting TC (or TC) >= +2

Surrender Deviations

Player HandDealerDeviation
16AH17: surrender when TC >= +1; S17: surrender when TC >= 0
1610Surrender when TC >= 0
169Surrender when TC >= +1
1510Surrender when TC >= +3
15AH17: surrender when TC >= +5; S17: surrender when TC >= +4

Hard Hand Deviations

Player HandDealerBasic StrategyDeviation
1610H / RStand when surrender unavailable and TC >= 0
169HitStand when surrender unavailable and TC >= +2
1510H / RStand when surrender unavailable and TC >= +3
132StandHit when TC < 0
133StandHit when TC < -1
122HitStand when TC >= +3
123HitStand when TC >= +2
124StandStand when TC >= 0; Hit when TC < 0
125StandHit when TC < -2
126StandHit when TC < -1

Double Deviations

Player HandDealerDeviation
11AH17: Double when TC >= +1; S17: Double when TC >= 0
1010Double when TC >= +3
10AH17: Double when TC >= +3; S17: Double when TC >= +2
92Double when TC >= +1
97Double when TC >= +4
85Double when TC >= +6
86Double when TC >= +4
Omega II's playing decisions use the True Count from the main count, not the ace-adjusted Betting TC. The ace side count only affects betting and insurance decisions. When ace side count is enabled, the default k is 2 and can be adjusted in Game Settings.