Card Counting in Blackjack – Is Card Counting Illegal?

Last Updated on April 1, 2025 by Mary Henderson

Ever caught yourself watching a blackjack scene in a movie and thinking to yourself, “I could totally rock that”? Same here.

Actually, card counting is one of the most interesting and controversial blackjack strategies, setting apart pros from rookies. You can really up your game if you nail this secret trick, and even win more.

What exactly is card counting? How do you do that? And does it work in land-based casinos, or is it just another online thing? Stay tuned, and we’ll unpack all this and more.

Card Counting 101: How it Works in Blackjack

In a nutshell, card counting in blackjack isn’t a super secret as you might imagine it is. It’s about keeping track of the cards and adding a little math. All this can help you get a better chance at winning. The whole essence is figuring out whether the next hand’s gonna be in your favour or the dealer will crush you.

You see, every card dealt can give you some info on what’s left. If you have a system to track that, you know when to chill or go big, minimizing losses when things go south.

The so-called Hi-Lo system is the classic move. It’s pretty simple – assigning numbers to different cards. Every time a card is dealt (whether on a real table or via live stream), you should mentally add the assigned value. This count tells you what’s likely still in play.

The thing is that the running count won’t cut it in multi-deck games. You might need a true count – your running cunt divided by the number of decks. I know, sounds like extra effort, but trust me, once you get in, it will run smoothly like butter.

Basics of Card Counting in Blackjack: Newbie’s Guide

A step-by-step guide on how new players can get started.

#1 Learn the Hi-Lo System

This is one of the easiest methods out there, especially for beginners. Here’s a sneak peek at how it works.

First off, cards are assigned the following values:

• High Cards (10s, Aces, and face cards – Jack, Queen, and King) = -1
• Low cards (2-6) = +1
• Neutral Cards (7-9) = 0

Maintain the running count by adding or subtracting a value as each card is dealt. Take, for instance, five followed by the king, then you’d have: +1-1=0.

#2 Use a Single Deck of Cards

For beginners, start by grabbing a single deck of cards. Once they’re well shuffled, start keeping track of the count in your head while cards are dealt.

It might sound simple, but keeping that count fast isn’t that easy over a longer period of time. The more you practice, the smoother you’ll get.

#3 Calculate the True Count

You’ll usually deal with multiple decks at a blackjack table. So, you better figure out that true count instead of just looking at the running count. Just a teeny-tiny math trick that will take you closer to your edge.

How it works: Divide your running count by the number of decks in play. Say there are 3 decks of cards left, while your running count is +6. All you have to do is divide 6 by 3. So your true count is +2. Told ya, simple.

#4 Adjust Your Betting

Once you’ve got that true count, it’s time you adjusted those bets of yours. So, if the count’s positive (meaning the deck is packed with high cards), you better raise those bets. But if it’s neutral or negative, scale back.

That’s what I call smart betting – pumping up when everything’s good and pulling back if the vibe’s off.

#5 Practice Makes Perfect

Listen up, newbies. If you wanna get into card counting, you gotta put in the effort. Say you’ve learned the rules; next, you gotta practice them. There are many simulators and apps for blackjack. You could also grab a buddy and practice. It’s up to you.

By the way, counting is good, but speed’s key.

#6 Don’t Get Caught!

Casinos are not fond of players who beat the system. You might find yourself kicked out if they catch you counting cards. So, how do you not get caught?

Don’t bet big out of nowhere to catch anyone’s attention. Keep it cool and bet smart.

Don’t get comfy at one table. That’s how you get noticed. Switch it up – a little here, a little there.

Bet consistently. I mean, don’t suddenly go tossing out a fortune after betting small. “I’m up to something,” red flag for the casino.

Is Card Counting in Blackjack Illegal?

One question that comes up a lot is whether card counting is illegal. The short answer is “nope”. The process itself is not illegal. There’s a big BUT as follows.

If you count cards using your brain, there’s nothing illegal about it (at least, there are no laws saying you can’t do that). But using tech is a whole new game. Using special gadgets to count cards is straight-up illegal. What’s more, it’s even taken as a felony in Nevada.

It gets trickier when it comes to casinos. If they don’t like something, they can easily kick you out (the perks of being a private biz). They may even ban you from playing blackjack or playing at all at their casino. If anything, casinos aren’t dumb; they use all kinds of sources to spot card counters, such as cameras or watching betting patterns.

Card Counting in Online Blackjack

Forget about it, telling you from the beginning.

It doesn’t really work in online games. Why? Most online blackjack games use continuous shuffling software, plus they’re RNG (Random Number Generator), which makes it hard to keep track of cards. It’s literally impossible to do some card counting, so I wouldn’t waste much of my time.

Bottom Line: Is Card Counting Cheating?

Cheating or skill? That is the question.

Some folks think card counting in blackjack is cheating. But let’s be real. If it’s happening in your head, it’s all about strategy and skill, and every pro will tell you this. Unless you’re using gadgets, that, my friend, I call cheating. Or your one-way ticket out of the casino; you tell me.

Learn the rules of card counting, practice, stay smart, and play by the casino’s rules.