Card counting in blackjack – cheating or smart strategy?

[neverbluff0799]

blackjack’s the one casino game where knowing what you’re doing actually helps. But here’s the question: is card counting just using your brain, or is it kinda cheating casinos don’t like it (they’ll ask you to leave if they catch you), but technically you’re not breaking any laws you’re just keeping track of the cards in your head.

I’ve always thought card counting is fair game. You’re not breaking any laws; you’re just using skill to get an edge. Casinos kicking people out for being good players has always felt a bit ridiculous like saying, ‘We only want fish, no shark

 

[Tero]

Well, they used math to calculate their edge, why shouldn't players do the same if they are up to it?
And have you heard what they say in the first episode of casino.us blackjack academy?
"...we will take you from novice to card counter..." watch out Vegas

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

No, in my very opinion cardcounting is not cheating because everything happens in your head and you dont physically do something to influence anything in the game.

 

[aorodrigo]

Since casinos are now working with multiple decks, cards counting is useless

 

[MK_]

Since casinos are now working with multiple decks, cards counting is useless

.... actually casinos have used 6 to 8 decks since the 1960's, counters are still counting....

 

[MK_]

I am honestly amazed casinos get away with this🙄....,

using your own brain to keep track of high/low cards is not illegal in any way,

no one in the history of time has ever been arrested and charged for it lol,

if you were using electronics to keep track or refused to leave then there's a crime

but otherwise it's just a case of casinos not liking it when you win so they ban you from playing!

 

[pentazepam]

Of course, it's not cheating if you don't use anything more than your own brain, and you are not a team or use any devices.

But just as in Sports Betting, the Casinos don't want any winning players. And you don't have the right to be in their building or play their games. If they don't want you there.

 

[YLAN]

Card counting or odds calculations is an inherent game plan also in other gambling games such as poker where risks are assessed & betting strategy are determined. The casino will not be able to tell when this happens in the mind. What they probably would not allow is undue advantage on the player using devices or tandem with collusion.

 

[maronza1]

Counting cards is like bringing your brain to the table, not a cheat sheet lol. It’s funny how casinos call blackjack a game of skill but the moment you show too much skill, suddenly you’re the bad guy. Feels a bit like being told you’re too good at this… please leave.

 

[belizebum]

After starting the Blackjack course on the new site, apparently it is not cheating. I always thought it was. I think the movies lie to us. LOL.

 

[SPANKYSN]

Card counting is not illegal…casinos don’t like losing money…two friends and I practiced for a month before our trip to Vegas…we used the current books on the market to get the basics…we probably practiced for some 50 hours or so. I was not fast enough to keep an accurate count, and I found that concentrating so hard for a few hours gave me a headache…and it was impossible to chat at the table. One of my friends was asked to leave Caesars Palace…that was crazy…we were at a $5 table…I understand trying to limit players at high stakes tables like in the movie 21, but were they worried about us winning maybe a couple hundred dollars? That happened in 1980…my friends and I have not played at Caesar’s since. They should not have the right to ask you to leave because you win a few bucks. It would be interesting if someone challenged being escorted out in court.

 

[TeUnit]

Its pretty hard to do these days, when you adjust your bet size larger - they often shuffle shortly after.

You are also usually playing a 6 deck shoe which makes it more challenging.

 

[neverbluff0799]

Card counting is not illegal…casinos don’t like losing money…two friends and I practiced for a month before our trip to Vegas…we used the current books on the market to get the basics…we probably practiced for some 50 hours or so. I was not fast enough to keep an accurate count, and I found that concentrating so hard for a few hours gave me a headache…and it was impossible to chat at the table. One of my friends was asked to leave Caesars Palace…that was crazy…we were at a $5 table…I understand trying to limit players at high stakes tables like in the movie 21, but were they worried about us winning maybe a couple hundred dollars? That happened in 1980…my friends and I have not played at Caesar’s since. They should not have the right to ask you to leave because you win a few bucks. It would be interesting if someone challenged being escorted out in court.

Sadly, there’s nothing to complain about, since casinos are private property and have the same right as a citizen to trespass someone from their private house. People often have the misconception that casinos are owned by the state, which isn’t true, as most casinos are owned by the private sector

 

[Tammy]

No-because you are not manipulating the cards or game play in anyway. If you are sharp enough and disciplined enough to accurately count cards, more power to you. The casinos, however, do not like it - though I think they should not be able to legally ban people for it.