For a very long time, card counting has been a topical issue when it comes to online Blackjack. It’s a strategy based on the concept of beating casinos and winning real money. This is done by tracking dealt cards and adjusting your bets accordingly. But in recent times, newbie gamblers have been asking a very important question. Is card counting as effective in online blackjack as it’s made out to be?
In this article, we’ll answer this question and break down how card counting works. We’ll also look into the truth behind this strategy and how well it works in USA online blackjack.
What Exactly is Card Counting?
First, let’s take a look at the concept of card counting. It is a technique used when trying to keep track of the number of high and low cards left in the dealers’ deck. If you succeed, you have the chance to raise your bet because you know the odds are in your favor. Thus making you more likely to win big.
However, remember that card counting is not a guarantee to consistently win at blackjack. You also shouldn’t use it for cheating purposes during a blackjack round. It is simply a skill to add to your normal gameplay. To give you a better idea of what the dealer’s hand contains.
Is it Legal?
Questions about the legality of card counting have sprung up over time. While there are no federal or state laws that consider counting cards to be a criminal act, there’s a gray area surrounding its use. If you want to count cards, you can only do it in your head. You can’t use a card-counting device or mobile app.
However, despite the lack of legal limitations, most Live Dealer Blackjack casinos consider it cheating if they catch patrons counting cards.
How Card Counting Works in Online Blackjack
To have a better grasp of card counting, you must first understand the basics of the game itself. Blackjack is a game played with only a single goal in mind: reach a hand value of 21 or as close to it as possible without going beyond.
Since a standard card deck contains 52 cards and most blackjack games involve multiple decks shuffled together, this strategy becomes more challenging. Card counting is all about giving certain values to cards in a deck. High cards (10s and aces) get negative values while low cards (2-6) get positive values, which creates a “running count,” showing if the remaining deck is favorable. If it turns out positive, you can bet more but if it turns out negative, you bet less.
Now, with online blackjack, most platforms use software to shuffle the cards after dealing a new hand, making it a bit tricky. To counter this, certain software exists that players can use to count cards although most casinos do not allow them. But the upside is that you can count cards from the comfort of your home without being removed from a land-based casino.
Limitations to Card Counting in Online Blackjack
Online blackjack presents several hurdles that make card counting far less effective than it is in physical casinos. Below are the key challenges:
- Random Number Generators (RNGs)
Online blackjack games rely on RNGs to shuffle and deal cards which ensures complete randomness. Since the dealer reshuffles the deck after every hand, there’s no way to build a running count or gain an advantage over time.
- Limited Deck Penetration
In physical casinos, players can gauge deck penetration—the depth into the card shoe—to know when the count is most favorable. Online platforms limit this, making it much harder to time your bets effectively.
- Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSMs)
Some online games simulate CSMs that constantly reshuffle the deck. This keeps the cards in perpetual motion and renders card counting almost pointless and insignificant.
- Multiple Decks in Use
Online blackjack often uses 6 to 8 decks at once. The more decks in play, the less weight any single card has on the overall count, reducing the effectiveness of tracking.
- Faster Gameplay
Online games move much faster than their real-life counterparts. Quick hands leave little time for maintaining an accurate count, especially when you’re playing multiple hands or multitasking.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, traditional card counting techniques don’t work 100% on the online version of blackjack. The random dealing systems and constant reshuffling remove the patterns card counters rely on. While the strategy can still be a fun mental exercise, it won’t give you a long-term edge in online play.
If you enjoy blackjack, your best bet is to focus on basic strategy, manage your bankroll wisely, and take advantage of casino bonuses and promotions. While you may not always beat the house, you can rest assured of a great time, which is what matters in the end.
Play