Card Counting in Blackjack – Is Card Counting Illegal?

Today, I want to talk about card counting in blackjack. It’s one of the most interesting blackjack strategies and causes a lot of controversy, too.

Knowing how to count cards can turn any player into a pro and even make them win more often than not if they play their cards right.

So what is it exactly? And does it work at land-based establishments or only online ones? Let’s find out!

What is Card Counting?

Card counting is a blackjack tactic that helps us understand whether the next hand will favor the gambler or the dealer. It is a method that lets players keep track of good and bad cards already dealt during a game. This way, they’re able to bet smarter and increase stakes when chances are high for them to win big while minimizing losses otherwise.

How Card Counting Works:

Basically, card counting tries to gain knowledge about what’s left inside that shoe by analyzing what’s come out already. The most commonly used system, called Hi-Lo, assigns values like this:

High cards (10s, face cards, Aces) = -1

Low cards (2-6) = +1

Neutral cards (7-9) = 0

So every time we see one of these on felt—physically or virtually through a live streaming video feed—we mentally add/subtract its value from our running total, known as our “running count.” That number tells us how many ten-pointers remain undealt so far, which could help determine whether continuing to play gives an edge over quitting right now instead.

True Count Adjustment:

In multi-deck games simply using running count won’t cut it; true counts are needed. To calculate them, divide your running tally by decks still live on the table before acting accordingly because this alters the apparent house edge.

Why Card Counting Works:

It’s all about math and probability. The ratio of high to low cards in the deck determines your chances of getting certain outcomes. High cards are good for players because they increase the odds for natural blackjack, which pays three times the original bet; also, when the dealer has a weak up-card like 5 or 6, it’s more likely that he’ll bust if there are many tens left undealt.

Low-numbered cards, on the other hand, favor dealers since they decrease the likelihood of them going over 21 points so quickly, thus winning without drawing another card.

The Basics of Blackjack Card Counting: How to Get Started

Card counting can seem overwhelming at first, but with some practice, you’ll be able to keep track effortlessly and gain an advantage over the casino.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get started.

Step 1: Learn the Hi-Lo System

The Hi-Lo system is the most widely used and easiest method for counting cards, especially suited beginners. Here’s how it works:

Card Values:

High cards (10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace): -1

Low cards (2-6): +1

Neutral cards (7-9): 0​

As each card is dealt out from a shoe or by the live dealer on a video stream, you will add/subtract its corresponding value to maintain the running count throughout the game session. For example, if five were shown followed by the king, then we would have +1 -1=0

Step 2: Use One Deck

To begin, practice using a single deck of cards. Shuffle well and deal one card at a time while keeping a running count in your head. This exercise will help you learn to keep the count accurate and quick.

Step Three: Compute the Real Count

In almost all blackjack games, multiple decks are used. You must calculate the “true count” – this is done by dividing the running count by the number of decks left. This provides a more precise measure of how much advantage you have.

For instance, if there are 3 decks remaining and your running count is +6, then your true count would be +2 (6 ÷ 3). The true count assists with making better betting decisions.

Step Four: Change Your Betting

When you get the true count, adjust your bets accordingly. Raise them when it’s positive (meaning there are more high cards left), lower them when it’s negative or neutral – this way you’ll maximize winnings in good conditions and minimize losses in bad ones.

Step Five: Practice Makes Perfect

You need to be very familiar with card counting in order to master it. So use simulators or apps for blackjack, train with friends; whatever works best for you, but do keep practicing! Try not only maintaining accuracy but also speeding up your counting process so that it becomes easier during real money casino play.

Step Six – Don’t Get Caught!

Casinos don’t like players who can beat them; they might ban you if caught counting cards. Here’re some tips on how to stay under their radar:

• Keep your bet size changes within reasonable limits so as not to attract too much attention from staff members watching cameras around tables;
• Avoid playing at one table for too long – this could make pit bosses notice something unusual about the way you’re playing;
• Try not to suddenly start betting much more or much less than before.

Is Card Counting Illegal?

One question that is often asked when it comes to blackjack and card counting is whether or not it’s illegal.

The answer: No, card counting itself is not illegal.

However, there are a few things you should know about where and how you play.

Legalities:

Card counting is a mental exercise where players keep track of the cards that have been dealt in order to make better betting decisions. There are no laws in the US or most other countries that say you can’t use your brain to keep a running count of cards while playing blackjack.

Casino Rights:

Casinos are private establishments and can refuse service to anyone they want, even if card counting isn’t against the law. If they think you’re doing it, some actions they may take include:

• Telling you not to play blackjack anymore;
• Banning you from their casino;
• Kicking you out altogether.

These steps are taken by casinos for one reason: profit protection. They might use cameras, pit bosses, or watch betting patterns, among other ways, to identify card counters.

Technological Help:

While using your mind to count cards is legal, using devices or outside aids for card counting is illegal. Many jurisdictions have laws against electronic devices or other tools being used to gain an advantage in gambling situations. For instance, in Nevada it’s considered a felony if someone uses a device to help them count cards.

Online Blackjack:

Card counting doesn’t work well with online blackjack because most online blackjack casinos use continuous shuffling machines or software that reshuffles after each hand making it impossible for the player to maintain an accurate count.

This practice basically makes card counting useless since its main advantage lies in traditional blackjack settings where dealers don’t shuffle decks as frequently as they do online.

Ethics:

Some people consider card counting cheating but many professional blackjack players argue that it’s simply skill and strategy being used to gain an advantage.

It is important to recognize the difference between legal mental skills and illegal devices.

Card Counting in Online Blackjack: Challenges and Tips

When playing blackjack, card counting can give you an edge over other players; however, this technique is not very useful in online games. The main challenge arises due to continuous shuffling machines (CSMs) used in most online casinos for blackjack. These machines shuffle decks after every hand, making it impossible for one to maintain an accurate running count of cards. As such, traditional methods of card counting become ineffective with this continuous reshuffle.

Another challenge comes with random number generators (RNGs), which are employed by online blackjack games to deal cards randomly. This means that each dealt card is independent of others, simulating a deck that is constantly shuffled. Consequently, randomness makes card counting harder since there is no fixed order among the cards. Moreover, even if continuous shuffling was not practiced in these games, automated dealing would be too fast for players to count accurately.

Card Counting – Myths and Facts

Blackjack myths surround card counting more than any other aspect of the game.

Let’s debunk some common misconceptions and examine what actually happens when you count cards at a casino.

Myth 1: Card Counting is Against the Law

Fact: Card counting is not illegal. It is a valid strategy that involves using your brain to keep track of cards dealt from the deck. Casinos are private property, however, and they can ask anyone they think might be counting cards to leave or bar them from playing blackjack again – but police cannot arrest someone merely for counting cards.

Myth 2: A Counter Always Wins

Fact: No counter wins every time. Card counting gives players about a half-percent to one-percent edge over the house in most cases, but this only helps them long term; over individual sessions, even experienced counters frequently lose due to variance.

Myth 3: Photographic Memory Required

Fact: You do not need a photographic memory to count cards. The Hi-Lo method of basic card-counting systems involves addition and subtraction skills at an elementary level. Anyone with average intelligence who practices can become good enough at it.

Myth 4: Can’t Count Cards If More Than One Deck Used

Fact: Although it’s true that multi-deck games make keeping track harder, doing so isn’t impossible either. In these situations, players must employ what is known as the “true count” method, which adjusts the running tally according to the remaining decks left unused. This correction ensures accuracy while still allowing bettors an advantage over casinos.

Myth 5: Need Big Money To Start Counting

Fact: While having a bigger bankroll may mitigate risks associated with short-term losses incurred during the initial stages of the learning process – it isn’t necessary for success. It’s more important to manage one’s funds intelligently by varying bets according to true count numbers and never overbetting; even small sums can be used skillfully through gradual accumulation over time if practiced properly.

Myth 6: Casinos Beat Up Card Counters

Fact: Casino personnel do not physically assault people caught counting cards today as they did in years gone by when security was laxer all around town. But that doesn’t mean establishments won’t take strong measures against such individuals, either! Nowadays, when staff suspects someone is engaged in this activity at their establishment, usually these days nothing worse happens other than simply requesting that person quit playing immediately.