
Wonging, also known as “back-counting” or “wong-in/wong-out,” is a legal strategy used by advantage players in the game of blackjack. It involves keeping a running count of the cards as they are dealt, and then only placing bets when the remaining deck is player-favorable.
The technique is named after Stanford Wong, a famous blackjack player and author who pioneered and popularized the strategy in the 1960s.
How Does Wonging Work?
The basic idea behind Wonging is to use card counting to determine when the remaining cards in the deck are advantageous for the player. Here’s a simplified overview of how it works:
- Learn Card Counting: First, you need to learn a card counting system like the Hi-Lo or KO count. This allows you to keep track of the running count as cards are dealt. We’ve written a beginners guide to learning card counting which will help with this.
- Wait for a Positive Count: As the cards are being dealt, you keep a running count. When the count becomes positive (indicating a player-favorable deck), you’ll want to join the game.
- Wong In: When the count is positive, you “wong in” by taking a seat at the table and placing a bet. You’ll want to bet higher when the count is more positive.
- Wong Out: If the count becomes negative again, you “wong out” by leaving the table and waiting for the next positive count before re-joining.
By only playing when the odds are in your favor, Wongers can gain a mathematical edge over the casino in the long run.
Is Wonging Legal?
Yes, Wonging is completely legal in most casinos. As long as you’re not using any devices or working with teammates, simply keeping a mental count and moving between tables is permitted.
However, casinos don’t like Wongers because it reduces their edge. If they suspect you’re Wonging, they may ask you to stop moving between tables or even bar you from playing blackjack. This is a reason why Wonging is perfect for online blackjack, though.
Wonging Takes Practice
Wonging is an advanced advantage play technique that requires skill and experience. It’s not recommended for casual players, as it involves perfect card counting and game strategy. But for dedicated advantage players, Wonging can be a powerful way to gain an edge over the house.