Counting cards in blackjack has been popularised by movies, books and infamous stories of professional gamblers beating the casino at its own game, it doesn’t get much better than that, does it?. But is counting cards at online casinos with live dealers a truly viable way to make a profit long term, or is it more of a risky hobby which can sometimes pay dividends? Let’s review the mechanics, challenges and profitability of card counting to see if it’s a practical way to make money at online casinos.
1. How Card Counting Works and Why It’s Profitable
At its core, card counting is a technique that allows players to keep track of high and low cards remaining in the deck. Blackjack gives the house a small mathematical edge of around 2%, but when players can determine if more high cards (10s, face cards and Aces) are left in the deck, they have a better chance of being played a favourable hand, such as a 21 or a strong total close to 21. In these situations, players can increase their bets, taking advantage of the temporarily shifted odds in their favour.
In fact card counting can provide punters with an advantage of 1–2% over the house if done correctly which takes a 4% swing from when the house normally has a 2% edge over you. This edge, though small can lead to significant winnings over time especially when a card counter starts to increase his bets. Online casinos not on Gamban offer live dealer blackjack streams which generally operate with a house edge in every game, so any strategy that gives players a mathematical advantage can indeed be profitable in the long run, however you are gambling on the chance of better hands, its not guaranteed.
2. The Skills Required for Card Counting
While the concept sounds straightforward, card counting is highly challenging to master. Successful card counters must have:
- Strong Concentration: Players must keep a running count without losing focus, if playing at online casinos you must ensure you dont have nearby distractions.
- Quick Mental Math: Adjusting the count and adapting bets rapidly is essential, especially in fast paced games, non Gamban online casinos will have set max times for hands to be played.
- Composure and Stealth: Casinos actively watch for counters, so players must bet strategically without arousing suspicion; however this risk is taken away at live dealer online casino tables, that’s why we recommend playing at non UK online casinos.
3. Casino Countermeasures and Their Impact on Profitability
Casinos have become adept at identifying and deterring card counters. Some common countermeasures include:
- Frequent Shuffling: By shuffling decks more frequently, casinos reduce the number of hands that can be played with a favourable count, which lowers the counter’s advantage.
- Multiple Decks: Casinos often use six or eight decks in a shoe, making the count less predictable and reducing the impact of any one card.
- Surveillance and Banning: Casinos monitor for suspicious betting patterns and behaviour, and they can ask players to leave or bar them from returning if they suspect card counting.
To avoid these issues, you should play at online casinos, live dealer tables.
4. The Reality of Profits Never Guaranteed
Although card counting can be profitable in theory and over a period of time, actual profits are subject to swings, the highs and lows in winnings due to the nature of chance hence why its still gambling and not ‘printing money’. Even with a small edge, players need a large bankroll to weather losing streaks and capitalise on winning ones. Unlike a normal job or investment, card counting does not guarantee consistent returns.
Is Card Counting a Profitable Business?
In my opinion, card counting can be profitable for those who have the discipline, skills and the funds to leverage a small mathematical edge over time. However, it’s only profitable to play at online casinos not on Gamban due to the casinos countermeasures at real casinos. For most people card counting is more of a high stakes hobby than a reliable business, however this is not to say someone cannot do extremely well at it, after all there are some big hitters that make fortunes doing it.
