Winning at blackjack requires you to know the basics and have additional skills in the game. Counting cards is one of the skills you can acquire to be good at blackjack. Although picking the skill is easy, you must sweat to master it. Card counting also increases your chances of winning in live online blackjack. Here is a guide on card counting in blackjack and how you can be a pro.
What is Counting Cards in Blackjack?
Card counting is a technique used to track the number of low and high cards in the dealer’s deck. When executed successfully, you can raise your bet anytime you observe the odds are in your favor, increasing your winning chances. There are hundreds of gaming platforms available that offer blackjack, including sites like gamingcity.com.
You will have to eliminate the mentality that card counting is a cheating approach to blackjack. Instead, consider it a set of skills that complement your regular gameplay, and provide you with an idea of the deck’s contents.
Why Should You Count Cards?
The main reason many individuals learn card counting skills is to increase their winning chances at blackjack. You can strike gold with one game, provided you do it right and observe a strategic game. Blackjack is popular because it is fun, but you also get an opportunity to pocket your winnings.
Why Shouldn’t You Count Cards?
According to state and federal laws, card counting is not a criminal act. It only becomes when you do it outside your head, like using a mobile app or a card-counting device. However, it is still cheating, and betting institutions are against it.
Anybody considering counting cards in a casino should remain cautious. Some casinos go to the extent of banning you. Remember, the house monitors your behavior at the table, and even the best card counters occasionally get caught.
Can You Count Cards in Live Online Blackjack?
Counting cards in live online blackjack is possible but has some challenges. One of the challenges is that most online casinos use software to shuffle cards in every hand dealt. You can use some programs available to count the cards for you, but most are forbidden.
The benefit of counting cards online is you get to do it at home without the risk involved in land-based casinos. You must gain the skill and confidence to count cards before trying out a land-based blackjack table. Here is how to count cards in blackjack.
How to Count Cards in Live Online Blackjack?
Basic Card Counting Strategy
You can count cards in live online blackjack using the Hi-Lo strategy. It is the most basic strategy and involves assigning high cards (10-Ace, and face cards) specific values of -1, low cards (2-6) +1, and the remaining cards (7-9) 0.
It is the best strategy to consider as a beginner, whether card counting online or in a land-based casino. You’ll need to make a note on your head of the assigned values for every card the dealer plays to execute this strategy successfully.
The idea is to keep count of every new card dealt without breaking the sum until it gets shuffled. This total amount is your running count. It would help to keep it simple to avoid driving your mind into overdrive and compromising the game.
Advanced Counting Strategies
Omega II
Bryce Carlson developed the Omega II card counting technique, with 0 as the base. Here are the values to assign your cards;
- 1 for 2, 3 or 7
- 2 for 4,5 and 7
- -1 for 9
- -2 for 10, and all face cards
- 0 for 8 and Ace cards
A positive count means more low cards on the dealer’s deck, while a negative count shows many high cards.
Wong Halves
This counting technique is among the most advanced strategies since its assigned values are fractions. They are;
- -0.5 for 9
- 1 for 3,4 and 6
- 5 for 5
- 0 for 8
- 5 for 2 and 7
- -1 for 10, Ace and face cards
Since it is a balanced system, your running count should be 0 after the dealer plays the entire deck.
Group Play
You can also decide to make card counting a team effort. By teaming up with other card counters, you can count cards simultaneously and communicate with each other through signals. The communication signals help avoid detection from other players.
Which is the Best Card Counting Strategy to Use in Live Online Blackjack?
The best approach to counting cards in Live online blackjack is the Hi-Lo strategy. It is easy to master, even for first-timers and works to increase your abilities with practice gradually. You can consider other complex techniques after improving your skills significantly.
Counting cards in blackjack is possible. It would help to feel 100% confident before any attempt to count cards in a real blackjack game. This article has everything you need about card counting in live online blackjack.
