Why Is Counting Cards Illegal & Classed as Cheating?

Blackjack is a popular choice in casinos because it mixes chance and strategy. You may have heard the term “card counting”, which means tracking dealt cards to predict future cards. Some see it as a smart tactic, while others consider it risky. But why do people call it cheating?

Firstly, card counting isn’t illegal in the UK; however, casinos dislike it because it can give players an advantage.

Gambling depends on chance, and casinos make money by having a house edge. If someone counts cards well, it can potentially change the odds, upsetting the fair play that casinos try to uphold.

Casinos employ various tactics to prevent card counting, such as more frequent shuffling, using additional decks, or even asking suspected card counters to leave. This isn’t because it’s illegal but because it removes the unpredictability that makes gambling fair and enjoyable for everyone.

What Is Card Counting and How Does It Work?

Card counting is a method sometimes used in blackjack to track cards dealt during a game, allowing players to try and gain insights into the types of cards that could remain in the deck.

Here’s how it works: players assign values to the cards as they appear on the table. Cards from 2 to 6 are given a positive value, as they are low cards. High cards, like 10s and Aces, receive a negative value. Neutral cards, such as 7, 8, and 9, are typically counted as zero.

This adds up to a “running count” that helps players assess the current mix of cards left in the deck. A positive count suggests more high-value cards remain, while a negative count indicates more low-value cards are left.

While it may seem like a straightforward approach, card counting requires good concentration and practice, as it involves recognising patterns and making informed decisions without needing to recall every card.

Is It Illegal To Count Cards?

Card counting in blackjack isn’t illegal; there are no legal restrictions on using your memory and concentration to track cards that have been played.

However, just because card counting isn’t illegal doesn’t mean casinos welcome it. Casinos are private venues with specific rules to maintain a balance for everyone’s enjoyment, ensuring the casino experience is fair for all guests.

While card counting is not prohibited by law, casinos can take steps to manage their games and prevent players from gaining advantages that could upset this balance. If a casino suspects a player of counting cards, they have several options, such as reshuffling more frequently, adjusting table limits, or politely asking the player to leave.

Why Is Counting Cards Considered Cheating?

Card counting is often seen as disrupting the traditional balance expected in a game of blackjack. In a typical game, casinos have a slight advantage, which ensures they can cover their costs and offer games to all visitors.

Card counting theoretically allows players to gain insights into the cards left in the deck by using skill and memory, potentially shifting the odds in favour of the player and affecting the intended balance of the game.

Casinos focus on providing a fair and enjoyable experience for every guest, aiming to keep games unpredictable and balanced. When card counting is used, it reduces the casino’s edge and impacts the game’s overall fairness.

Casinos emphasise maintaining a fair environment; by managing strategies like card counting, they ensure the experience remains enjoyable for all visitors.

How Do Casinos Prevent Card Counting?

Casinos use a range of strategies to make card counting challenging and ensure fair gameplay for all. A common approach is using multiple decks of cards.

Instead of using a single deck, casinos often mix six or eight decks together, increasing the number of cards and making it much harder to track what’s been played.

Frequent shuffling is another method employed by casinos. Dealers shuffle the cards more often to keep them random. By resetting the deck at unexpected times, any count a player has been tracking becomes irrelevant, maintaining the game’s integrity.

Dealers are trained to spot possible card counters. They look for specific behaviours, like changes in betting patterns or players who appear too focused on the cards instead of enjoying the game’s social aspects.

Technology also plays a role in monitoring card counting. Surveillance cameras, often called “eye in the sky,” oversee the floor and can identify patterns that might suggest card counting, with advanced software assisting in detecting any unusual activity.

Counting Cards In Online Blackjack: Is It Possible?

Curious about card counting in online games? In physical casinos, players track cards to gain insights; however, online blackjack uses random number generators, making this tactic difficult.

While card counting in physical casinos is possible, each card drawn in an online casino is purely down to chance. This makes it practically impossible to count cards in an online casino, as there is no real way to keep track of the cards due to the unpredictable nature of the cards drawn.

Although blackjack can be an enjoyable experience, it is vital that you always gamble responsibly. Stick to a strict budget within your means and set limits on your playing time.

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*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.