Blackjack expert card counter teaches us how to count cards in his compelling YouTube video – watch the entire video! (Image courtesy of Oleg Gapeenko on Vecteezy)
Blackjack card counting is a redundant technique, but it still intrigues Blackjack players.
Below is a video of a card counting connoisseur who will walk you through the basics of card counting.
Also, for many Blackjack pros out there, me using the word ‘redundant’ above is a strong word. There are situations where you can still find blackjack tables where the strategy works. Plus, in the short term you can use card counting to gain an edge before the dealer shuffles.
Why do I mention before the dealer shuffles?
If you are new to Blackjack, the whole idea of card counting is that the dealer does not shuffle the cards. As soon as the cards shuffle up, the game is up.
This leads me onto another point. Please never try to card count when playing virtual Blackjack games because there are no physical cards. RNGs (Random Number Generators) use a theory called the constant shuffle. That means in between each hand you play, the cards never stop shuffling. Only when you ‘Hit’, ‘Double with another card to come’ or ‘Split’ will the RNG randomly stop on one of the cards and choose that as your next card.
For crypto player, the Provably Fair algorithm is similar. There is an argument there is more scope to card count with this algorithm, but I don’t know enough about it to confirm or deny the theory. I do think the theory has some sustenance, but explaining why is a topic for another blackjack guide in the future. I will make sure to update this guide when I do test the theory and let you know what I find. For now, today’s advice is stay away from using card counting as a strategy for virtual table games because of the constant shuffle theory.
Can you card count on live Blackjack table?
Yes. At least until the dealer shuffles the cards, then the game is up. Some players still use card counting on live dealer tables just in case before the dealer shuffles, the deck become heavily laden with high cards. It can and does happen, but usually it takes a while to spot these situations and take advantage of them.
Learn to walk before you run: If you are keen on learning how to card count playing blackjack, but you are not sure how to play blackjack, then route 101 is to head over to the Livecasinocentral Casino Blackjack Guide.
What is Card Counting?
Let me break this down in simple terms. Card counting means keeping track of the high and low cards that come out during play. This helps you figure out what cards are left in the deck. When there are a lot of face cards and aces still in there, things swing to your advantage as the player. That’s when you’d want to bet more money.
Betting Strategy
You don’t just randomly bet more when your count goes up. A smart way to handle betting is to divide your running count by the number of card decks still in play. That conversion gives you something pros call the “true count.” You can then bet in dollar amounts equal to the true count. So if your true count was +4, you’d want to bet $4 per hand.
Meaningful Pairs
It can get tricky keeping an accurate tally as cards quickly come out in blackjack. That’s why counters use shortcuts like tracking “meaningful pairs.” If you notice a high card and low card, they essentially cancel each other out. We can ignore them in our count to simplify things.
Practice Makes Perfect
There’s no getting around it – learning card counting takes hard work. But once you get the basics down, the only way to master it is through practice. There are drills you can do to get faster and more accurate. With enough time put in, anyone can pick up this skill and gain an edge in blackjack. The key is not letting yourself get frustrated early on. Stick with it, we promise you it’s worth it!
Before you learn how to card count, you need to learn how to play Blackjack. Also, as mentioned, this stratefy does not work well in live casinos because if the pit bosses suspect a player is counting cards, their AI tech will spot and flag your account. Either way, it is still a fun concept to practice with your basic strategy.
Choosing the correct basic strategy chart: First, learn blackjack tips and strategy. Then, try your hand at basic strategy. Once you understand basic strategy and which basic strategy cards to use according H17 DAS, S17 DAS, H17 NDAS, and S17 DAS with single-deck, 4-deck, 6-deck and 8-deck strategy charts,
Pros and Cons of Card Counting
I can’t stress enough how important it is that you do not card count on virtual RNG casino games for cash or Provably Fair algorithms using cryptocurrency. The second point I’d like to point out is that you should not continue your count of the dealer shuffling the cards or the pit boss requests that the deck or decks in the shoe be changed. Although this is a pros and cons section, I wanted to point out what is more a flaw in people’s perception of when they should and should not card card count.
The Pros of Card Counting
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Better Odds | Keeping tabs on the low and high cards using the card counting system helps you know when the odds shift more in your favour. This lets you bet more confidently when it counts, boosting your chances to win as the dealer busts more often. The odds don’t guarantee a win, but they do tip the scale. |
| Strategic Bets | You can increase your bets when the count suggests the odds are good and decrease them when the odds turn against you. This protects your money and maximises those wins when they come. |
| Mental Skill Building | Practicing card counting can sharpen your mind. You need focus, memory power, and math skills. Over time, you can get faster and more accurate with practice. It’s like a brain boot camp. |
| No Equipment | Unlike some casino strategies, card counting is all in your head. No gadgets or anything extra needed. This makes it tough for casinos to catch on if you’re smooth. |
The Cons of Card Counting
| Challenges | Description |
|---|---|
| Tough Skill | Card counting takes time and practice before you get good at it. You have to put in effort to learn complex rules and math behind it. It can take serious time and repetition to get it down. Be ready for some work. |
| Casino Resistance | Casinos crack down on card counters with loaded decks, frequent shuffles, and extra cameras (the eye in the sky). If security flags you, you could end up banned. Super annoying hurdles. |
| Still Luck-Based | Even with the count advantage, luck plays a role. You might make the statistically right play and still lose in the end. The wins aren’t guaranteed, no matter how good you get. Annoying randomness remains. |
| Stressful | Keeping track straight while playing takes serious focus. The pressure to win and avoid getting flagged by security can be draining. The mental strain might dampen the fun. |
| Getting Tossed Out | If the casino notices you counting, you’ll promptly get kicked out and possibly blacklisted. While it’s not illegal, they can refuse to let you play—an instant end to the fun. |
| Live Casino Detection | In the same way a land-based casino may detect that you are card counting, live casinos will have sophisticated tech to detect card counters. Not only that, your account will be flagged. Suddenly, when you log on, the dealer shuffles the cards more often when you play! |
| Wasted Effort | When the dealer shuffles the cards or changes the decks in the shoe, you efforts put into card counting the shoe that was in play go to waster. |
Always use basic strategy: Remember that when you play blackjack online, you must follow basic strategy. That means choosing the correct basic strategy charts according to the rules of the table. Another cardinal rule you must follow is do not use side bets, and do not take insurance.
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