Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack
Card counting is one of the ways that players can reduce the house edge while playing blackjack at land-based casinos. However, due to the fact almost all land based casino are closed because if covid-19, many have resorted to playing their favorite gambling games at online casinos. This has led many to ask if card counting is also possible in online blackjack.
- Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack Games
- Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack Multiplayer
- Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack No Deposit
- Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack Poker
IT'S HARD TO LEARN. First, you have to learn about the rule variations (things like 'double after. Yes, you can count cards playing blackjack online. Although, most online casinos use software that shuffles the cards every time a new hand is dealt, making it a bit tricky. The first thing you need to do is learn how to count cards. Because live blackjack online involves a real dealer who deals real cards, card counting will be your most powerful weapon. You will be able to maintain an accurate count of the deck and the cards will be shuffled infrequently. This is a major advantage for the online blackjack player.
There are a lot of responses out there. However, as the leading online casino guide in Australia, we will dish out a few secrets. And among those secrets is the mystery of whether card counting in online casinos is possible.
What is Card Counting?
For the benefit of those who are new to gambling in general, we will first define card counting. Card counting is literally what it sounds like, counting cards. This is used by players to determine which card comes next as such, allowing them to make a bet in their favor. This is usually done in blackjack. However, it is frowned upon by many land-based, this s regardless of the fact that it is a perfectly legal strategy. And when mastered you can walk away with millions while playing blackjack. That is why many want to know if card counting in online casinos is also possible.
Is Card Counting in Online Casinos Possible?
Well, before we answer that question, we look at few things that online casino do to prevent card counting. Thereafter, we will tell you if it is possible to count cards in online casinos or not.
Measures in Place
As we said earlier card counting is not exactly legal and most land-based casinos want to do all that they can to avoid it from happening. When it comes to live blackjack, it is very easy to tell if a player is card counting. And when they find out that you are counting cards, they can ban from that game and casino as a whole.
To make sure that they kill any of your efforts at card counting, there is continuous shuffling in place. With this continuous shuffling, they then add brunt cards into the pack. This will thwart any efforts that you have at card counting at online and love blackjack.
The Cut
When the cards are shuffled, they will then be put back in place. The shuffler will then put the cut card wherever the choose. However, if in live dealer blackjack, they think that there any who are card counting, they will then ask the shuffler to put the card earlier in the shoe.
In order to get away with card counting n an 8-deck shoe, this is typical shoe size while playing online blackjack. You will need to be able to get away with put at least 6 or 7 decks at card counting. However, if they cut the cut the deck and put it before 6 decks are played this will disturb your count. And as result will result in you not being able to count cards.
Conclusion
Wrapping it all up, we are sure that you want to know if you can count cards in online blackjack. Well, as you can tell with all the measures that are put in place, it is impossible to count cards in an online casino. They make sure that if you are winning you win in other ways other than card counting. This however, should not stop you from enjoying real money online casino games. Just because you can count cards doesn’t mean that you will not be able to win.
Card Counting In Online Casinos FAQs
Blackjack Card counting has existed since the 1950s. Casinos initially struggled to deal with successful card counters.
However, they’ve spent the past several decades understanding this advantage play (AP) method and how to combat it. Casinos have since added multiple decks, instated unfavorable rules, and learned how to spot APs.
These days, the industry even has technology on their side. They use facial recognition technology and databases to identify APs and keep their info on file, respectively.
Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack Games
That said, casinos seemingly have a big edge in this game of cat and mouse. Many blackjack players feel that card counting is dead as a result.
In reality, though, card counting and table-based advantage gambling is just as alive as ever. I’ll cover why this is the case and what you can do to win a fortune today.
Learning Card Counting Is Easy
You’ve likely seen card counting showcased in movies. This AP method is often portrayed as a complicated process that only geniuses can employ.
But counting cards isn’t really that complex, and you can learn it in minutes. Below, you can see the main components of card counting when using the popular Hi-Lo system.
Assign Values to Cards as They’re Dealt
Your first task as a card counter is to watch cards as they’re dealt and assign the following values to each type:
- High cards (A through 10) = -1
- Neutral cards (7 through 9) = 0
- Low cards (2 through 6) = +1
Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack Multiplayer
You need to keep a running tallying and add or subtract 1 as each card comes out of the deck. This count is known as your “running count.”
Convert Your Running Count into a True Count
Understanding the running count is a nice start. However, you need to have a “true count” to account for the multiple decks featured at most real money blackjack games.
You must divide the running count by the estimated remaining decks to make this conversion. You estimate the amount of decks left by visually looking at the shoe.
Here’s an example:
- +9 running count.
- You estimate that 3.5 decks remain.
- 9 / 3.5 = 2.57
- Your true count is +2.57
You may have trouble determining how many decks are left at first. Furthermore, you might not be so precise on the remaining decks (i.e. 3.5) and true count (i.e. 2.57).
But the more precise you are, the better you’ll be at knowing your exact advantage or disadvantage. You should become more comfortable with these aspects over time.
Determine Your Edge (If Any)
Once you have the true count figured out, you can apply it to see if you have an advantage over the casino. Here’s how the true count correlates to an edge or disadvantage in various scenarios:
- +3 true count = 1.77% player’s edge
- +2 true count = 1.17% player’s edge
- +1 true count = 0.58% player’s edge
- 0 true count = 0.42% house edge
- -1 true count = 0.80% house edge
- -2 true count = 1.53% house edge
- +3 true count = 2.05% house edge
You gain an advantage when the true count is at or near +1. However, you don’t want to raise your bets until reaching a +1.5 true count or higher. A more-favorable count helps you make higher wagers with more confidence.
Raise Your Bets to Capitalize On Your Edge
You determine your bet size based on your advantage in a given hand. Assuming the casino holds an edge, then you flat bet.
But you want to gradually raise your wagers as the true count becomes more favorable. Here are examples on how you can determine your bet sizes:
- +4 true count = $300
- +3 true count = $200
- +2 true count = $100
- +1 true count = $25
- 0 true count = $25
- -1 true count = $25
- -2 true count = $25
- +3 true count = $25
This model represents a 1-12 bet spread. $25 serves as one unit, while $300 represents 12 units (300 / 25).
Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack No Deposit
You need to spread your bets from low to high to make long-term profits. However, you don’t want to get crazy with a 1-25 spread or higher. Pit bosses can easily spot this massive difference.
Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack Poker
Consider Strategy Deviations Based on the Count
You can further increase your profits by knowing when to deviate from proper strategy based on the count.
The main idea behind card counting is to wager more when the deck is rich in aces and 10s. Your chances of getting a natural blackjack are higher at this point.
Another perk to counting cards is that you can tell when more high cards (favor you) exist than low cards (favor dealer). Dealers, who draw to a hard or soft 17, benefit from low cards, because they have a smaller chance of busting out.
Assuming you go away from basic strategy at the right times, you can further boost your edge. Here’s an example:
- You’re dealt an ace and 7 (soft 18).
- The dealer’s upcard is 2.
- Basic strategy dictates that you stand in this situation.
- However, the true count is a very favorable +3.
- The deck features a large number of high cards that could bust out the dealer.
- You double down as a result.
You don’t necessarily have to make these strategy deviations to win with counting. But you can increase your advantage even more when doing so.
Why Do People Consider Card Counting Dead?
Back in the 1960s, famed gambling author Edward Thorp refined card counting to the point where he gained a sizable edge over casinos.
However, Thorp’s Ten Count system wouldn’t hold up in today’s blackjack world. Worse rules, enhanced surveillance, savvy pit bosses, and facial recognition make counting tougher than ever.
You need to put far more effort into winning blackjack profits today. Many players take this as a sign that card counting is dead.
They don’t see a way to get around the databases, facial recognition, and RFID tracking inside chips that are used today.
Of course, card counters are still making money today. Therefore, those who think this AP method is dead are wrong.
You Can Still Win with the Right Approach
You can win through card counting alone if you’re skilled enough. But you should consider adding more layers to your approach in the form of shuffle tracking, different appearances, and more.
Shuffle Tracking on Top of Counting
Shuffle tracking is mixed with card counting to capitalize on weak shuffles. It can also result in less scrutiny from the pit boss and surveillance.
This technique calls on you to look for opportunities where aces and 10s are grouped together. You want to follow these card batches, or “slugs,” as they’re placed into the discard tray.
Once the shoe has been dealt, the dealer pulls cards out of the discard tray and begin shuffling.
You continue visually tracking the slugs as the croupier shuffles. If the dealer uses a “one pass” shuffle (weaker than two pass), you can successfully employ this method and determine where the slug might come out during the next shoe.
Assuming you’ve done a good job at tracking the slug, you can raise your bets once the slug cards begin coming out.
Shuffle tracking accomplishes two main goals:
- It gives you a bigger advantage by helping you track aces and 10s.
- It masks your counting efforts.
Regarding the latter, increasing your bets towards the end of the shoe is a big sign that you may be counting. You’re more likely to determine that the deck is rich in high cards at this point.
With shuffle tracking, though, you can more accurately locate a slug of good cards. If this slug is earlier in the shoe, then you can also spread your bets earlier too.
Switch up Your Appearance
You can hit the casino multiple times within a year or even month by changing your look. Different appearances make it harder for gambling venues to recognize you after multiple hot nights.
You don’t necessarily have to wear disguises. In fact, flamboyant looks can attract unwanted attention from the pit boss.
A better plan is to slightly alter your appearance. You can go unshaven with glasses one time, for example, then be cleanshaven the next.
Be Careful with Spreading Bets
Again, you want to be mindful of how large you’re spreading bets. The bigger the spread, the more likely the pit boss will take notice.
Of course, you must vary your minimum and maximum wagers by a fair amount. Otherwise, you won’t make any money.
But you also want to avoid being greedy and going from a $10 minimum to $500. A 1-100 spread like this will almost assuredly lead to you being thrown out.
Know Where to Count Cards
Some of the best US casinos are more tolerant than others when monitoring advantage players. Ideally, you’ll play at gambling establishments that gives you the benefit of the doubt.
Every casino has its limits regarding APs. The best plan is to research casinos ahead of time and chose those that have a reputation for being lenient.
Stay on the Move
The worst thing you can do as an advantage gambler is continue hitting the same casino again and again. One huge session can draw attention from the pit boss and surveillance – let alone multiple big wins in a row.
You want to stay on the move and continue traveling from casino to casino. This practice is much easier in major gambling destinations, such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Assuming you’re good enough and have a large bankroll, you might even consider playing in various states. This way, you avoid developing the AP stigma in single gambling destination.
Conclusion
Card counting is much easier to learn than Hollywood makes it seem. You can earn money through counting if you practice enough and develop good skills.
That said, card counting isn’t dead in any capacity. Even with their sophisticated technology and trained employees, casinos are still losing money to APs.
Of course, counting cards is also tougher than at any point. The best APs counter this by improving their skills even more.
Some of the things that you can do to boost your profits include shuffle tracking, changing your appearance, researching casinos, and staying on the move. The more layers you throw on top of your card counting approach, the more money you stand to win.
But first thing’s first: you need to thoroughly learn basic card counting. After you feel comfortable in your counting abilities, you should proceed to the advanced AP techniques.