It certainly IS a plus to be a math whiz, but really; all you need is a basic understanding of 3rd grade arithmetic, and it can be VERY possible to master card counting. Yes; blackjack DOES involve ADVANCED mathematics, but it won't necessarily affect you one bit if you don't know how to do the figuring yourself. That's because it's already BEEN figured out and published in books. If your counting system tells you to make x play when the count is y; you don't have to know WHY.