---
id: 565bbe00e9cc8ac0725390f4
title: Counting Cards
challengeType: 1
videoUrl: 'https://scrimba.com/c/c6KE7ty'
forumTopicId: 16809
dashedName: counting-cards
---

# --description--

In the casino game Blackjack, a player can determine whether they have an advantage on the next hand over the house by keeping track of the relative number of high and low cards remaining in the deck. This is called Card Counting.

Having more high cards remaining in the deck favors the player. Each card is assigned a value according to the table below. When the count is positive, the player should bet high. When the count is zero or negative, the player should bet low.

<table class='table table-striped'><thead><tr><th>Count Change</th><th>Cards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>+1</td><td>2, 3, 4, 5, 6</td></tr><tr><td>0</td><td>7, 8, 9</td></tr><tr><td>-1</td><td>10, 'J', 'Q', 'K', 'A'</td></tr></tbody></table>

You will write a card counting function. It will receive a `card` parameter, which can be a number or a string, and increment or decrement the global `count` variable according to the card's value (see table). The function will then return a string with the current count and the string `Bet` if the count is positive, or `Hold` if the count is zero or negative. The current count and the player's decision (`Bet` or `Hold`) should be separated by a single space.

**Example Outputs:** `-3 Hold` or `5 Bet`

**Hint**  
Do NOT reset `count` to 0 when value is 7, 8, or 9. Do NOT return an array.  
Do NOT include quotes (single or double) in the output.

# --hints--

Your function should return a value for count and the text (`Bet` or `Hold`) with one space character between them.

```js
assert(//
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    let out = cc(10);
    const hasSpace = /-?\d+ (Bet|Hold)/.test('' + out);
    return hasSpace;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 should return the string `5 Bet`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(2);
    cc(3);
    cc(4);
    cc(5);
    var out = cc(6);
    if (out === '5 Bet') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 7, 8, 9 should return the string `0 Hold`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(7);
    cc(8);
    var out = cc(9);
    if (out === '0 Hold') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 10, J, Q, K, A should return the string `-5 Hold`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(10);
    cc('J');
    cc('Q');
    cc('K');
    var out = cc('A');
    if (out === '-5 Hold') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 3, 7, Q, 8, A should return the string `-1 Hold`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(3);
    cc(7);
    cc('Q');
    cc(8);
    var out = cc('A');
    if (out === '-1 Hold') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 2, J, 9, 2, 7 should return the string `1 Bet`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(2);
    cc('J');
    cc(9);
    cc(2);
    var out = cc(7);
    if (out === '1 Bet') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 2, 2, 10 should return the string `1 Bet`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(2);
    cc(2);
    var out = cc(10);
    if (out === '1 Bet') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

Cards Sequence 3, 2, A, 10, K should return the string `-1 Hold`

```js
assert(
  (function () {
    count = 0;
    cc(3);
    cc(2);
    cc('A');
    cc(10);
    var out = cc('K');
    if (out === '-1 Hold') {
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  })()
);
```

# --seed--

## --seed-contents--

```js
let count = 0;

function cc(card) {
  // Only change code below this line


  return "Change Me";
  // Only change code above this line
}

cc(2); cc(3); cc(7); cc('K'); cc('A');
```

# --solutions--

```js
let count = 0;
function cc(card) {
  switch(card) {
    case 2:
    case 3:
    case 4:
    case 5:
    case 6:
      count++;
      break;
    case 10:
    case 'J':
    case 'Q':
    case 'K':
    case 'A':
      count--;
  }
  if(count > 0) {
    return count + " Bet";
  } else {
    return count + " Hold";
  }
}
```
