Anvil Table · study notes
KO (Knock-Out) count — unbalanced tags, IRC, and pivot
KO is an unbalanced level-1 count: the same tags as Hi-Lo except the seven is +1 instead of 0. That extra plus per deck means you never divide by decks remaining — the running count itself is the betting signal. You start the shoe at a published initial running count that depends on the number of decks (Anvil Table uses 4 × (1 − decks)). When the running count reaches the pivot, the remaining cards are as rich as a Hi-Lo true count of about +1. Betting correlation is actually a hair higher than Hi-Lo (.98 vs .97) because you skip division error.
Last updated 2026-08-21
Tag values
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
Unbalanced: bet from the running count. Do not divide by decks remaining. Initial running count: 4 × (1 − decks). Six decks start at −20; a single deck starts at 0.. Insurance default in Anvil Table: Running count at the KO pivot (the key, not a true count).
| Betting correlation | 0.98 |
|---|---|
| Playing efficiency | 0.55 |
| Ace-neutral? | No — ace is in the main count |
Why you would pick KO (Knock-Out) over Hi-Lo
KO adds the seven so you can skip true count. Slightly more to track per card (sevens now matter), slightly less mental division.
You want Hi-Lo’s power without doing true-count arithmetic at the table.
Weaknesses
The running count drifts up as the shoe is dealt, so the same RC means different things at the top of a six-deck shoe versus the bottom. Pivot and IRC must match the deck number or the ramp is wrong.
Practise KO (Knock-Out) in the trainer
Open the KO (Knock-Out) calculator. The count strip shows these tags live. Educational use only — not for a device at a live table.
Related
- All nine systems
- True count
- Illustrious 18 (Hi-Lo)
- Wong Halves Catch-18
- Subscriptions
- Where the numbers come from
- REKO
- Red 7
- Hi-Lo
FAQ
Does KO use a true count?
No. Unbalanced systems use the running count directly. Anvil Table hides the true-count line when KO, REKO, or Red 7 is selected.
What is the KO pivot?
The running-count value where the remaining shoe is roughly as favourable as Hi-Lo true count +1. Insurance and the first bet raise sit near that pivot.
Educational study aid only. No real money. Do not use a phone or this trainer to assist play at a live casino table. Trainer.