Can You Still Count Cards in Blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world. It is a game of skill and strategy, and many players have tried to use various techniques to gain an edge over the casino.

One of these techniques is card counting. But can you still count cards in blackjack?

Card counting is a technique used by players to track the cards that have been dealt, in order to determine whether or not the remaining cards are favorable to the player. The idea behind card counting is that if there are more high cards left in the deck, then the player has a higher chance of getting blackjack or winning a hand with a high total.

Card counting was made famous by the book “Beat the Dealer” by Edward Thorp, which was published in 1962. Thorp’s book outlined a method for keeping track of the cards that had been dealt and adjusting your bets accordingly.

Since then, casinos have taken steps to prevent card counting. They use multiple decks of cards, which makes it harder to keep track of which cards have been dealt. They also shuffle more frequently, making it harder for players to get an accurate count.

Despite these measures, some players still try to count cards. But is it still effective?

The short answer is yes, but it’s much harder than it used to be. With multiple decks and frequent shuffling, keeping an accurate count requires a lot of skill and practice. It’s also important to note that card counting is not illegal, but casinos do frown upon it and will ask you to leave if they suspect you’re doing it.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at card counting, here are some tips:

1. Practice with a deck of cards at home before trying it at a casino. 2. Start with a simple system like Hi-Lo, which assigns values of +1, -1 or 0 to each card. 3.

Keep your bets small until you feel confident in your ability to count accurately. 4. Be discreet – don’t make it obvious that you’re counting cards. 5. Watch for signs that the casino is onto you, like increased scrutiny from security or pit bosses.

In conclusion, while card counting is still technically possible in blackjack, it’s much harder than it used to be. If you’re going to try it, make sure you practice and start with a simple system. And remember, casinos don’t like it, so be discreet and watchful.