Card Counting in Online Live Blackjack

Blackjack has always been, and will continue to be, one of the most popular card games in both online and physical casinos. While luck plays a part in getting the best cards and winning big, your chances can significantly improve with a solid strategy.

Especially for online card games, there are numerous strategies you can employ. Among the most talked-about is card counting.

While card counting can be trickier to master in online blackjack compared to land-based casinos, it's definitely still possible and can give you a slight edge over the house.

How Does Card Counting Work?

Whether you enjoy blackjack or poker, card counting can be a useful technique to get ahead.

This strategy involves diligently tracking the cards that have already been dealt. With consistent practice and by keeping a running tally, you can better gauge if the upcoming hands are likely to favour you.

Step 1. Assign values to the dealt cards

To start, you need to assign specific point values to each card as it's dealt:

• Low cards (2 through to 6) = +1
• Neutral cards (7 through to 9) = 0
• High cards (Ace through to 10) = -1. This tally is often called the “running count.”

Step 2. Calculate the true count

Next, you need to convert your running count into a “true count.” This is crucial for multi-deck blackjack games commonly found in online casinos. To do this, divide the running count by the number of decks remaining. You can estimate the number of remaining decks by observing the shoe. For example, if your running count is +9 and you estimate there are 3 decks left, your true count is +3.

Step 3. Know your advantage

Next, apply the “true count” to determine if you hold an edge over the house. Here is how true count determines the advantage or disadvantage: -3 = 2.05% house edge -2 = 1.53% house edge -1 = 0.80% house edge 0 = 0.42% house edge +3 = 1.77% player’s advantage +2 = 1.17% player’s advantage +1 = 0.58% player’s advantage Remember that a higher true count lets you risk more with high confidence.

The Possibility of Online Live Blackjack Card Counting

While online live blackjack uses real decks of cards, they are shuffled more frequently than in a traditional casino. This makes it harder for players to count cards effectively. Additionally, many live online casinos employ software to detect card counters and prevent them from playing. However, it is still possible to use card counting strategies in online live blackjack if you are disciplined and adapt your strategies to the online format.

Strategies for Card Counting in Online Live Blackjack

Here are some tips to help you implement card-counting strategies in online live blackjack:

Keep it simple

Stick to a basic card counting system like the Hi-Lo count. This system is easy to learn and implement and will give you a good idea of when the deck is in your favor.

Practice

Practice counting cards at home before playing online live blackjack. There are many online simulators available that can help you improve your skills.

Adjust your betting

When the deck is in your favor, increase your bet. When the deck is against you, decrease your bet. This will help you maximize your winnings and minimize your losses.

Pay attention to the game

Stay focused on the game and avoid distractions. Watch for changes in the dealer's behavior and patterns in the cards dealt with.

Risks and Rewards of Card Counting in Online Live Blackjack

Card counting can give players an edge over the house, but it also carries risks. Here are some potential risks and rewards to consider:

Rewards

• Increased chances of winning
• More accurate betting decisions
• Ability to take advantage of favorable situations

Risks

• Detection by live online casinos and possible ban
• Legal consequences in some jurisdictions
• Requires a significant amount of time and effort to master

Conclusion

Overall, card counting will always be easier to implement if you are playing in a land-based casino. Nevertheless, this strategy will work well even online if you practice it enough and find a good casino to do it.

We recommend you start on blackjack tables with fewer decks in play, which will make your job simple.