What Is Card Counting?
Card counting is a technique used by skilled blackjack players to track the ratio of high cards (10s, face cards, Aces) to low cards remaining in the deck. A high concentration of these cards increases the player’s chances of hitting a blackjack or beating the dealer. By keeping a running count as cards are dealt, players can adjust their bets and decisions accordingly.
The most popular systems, such as the Hi-Lo system, assign values to cards and require the player to mentally keep track of the “count.” While not illegal, card counting is generally discouraged by casinos and can lead to players being banned from the tables.
Online Blackjack vs. Land-Based Blackjack
In traditional land-based casinos, card counting is possible because the dealer uses a finite number of decks and does not shuffle after every hand. Over time, the player can detect imbalances in the remaining cards.
However, most online blackjack games (software-based) automatically reshuffle the deck after every hand or use a random number generator (RNG), which makes it impossible to count cards effectively. Since there’s no shoe to track, each hand is completely independent.
That said, live dealer blackjack offers a more traditional experience. These games are streamed in real-time with a human dealer using physical cards. At CanPlay, live blackjack tables use multi-deck shoes and typically shuffle after a set number of hands, just like in a land-based casino. This opens the door – at least slightly – for card counting techniques to be considered.
Can You Count Cards in Live Dealer Blackjack?
The short answer: Technically, yes – but practically, it’s very difficult.
Live dealer blackjack at CanPlay uses physical cards and a real shoe, which means cards are not reshuffled after every hand. However, there are several limitations:
- Frequent Shuffling: Most live dealer games use an automatic or manual shuffle after 50–70% of the shoe is dealt, minimizing the impact of card counting.
- Multiple Decks in Play: Live blackjack often uses six to eight decks, which dilutes the accuracy of the count.
- Fast Pace: With limited time to act, keeping an accurate count becomes more challenging.
That said, since every card dealt can be observed and tracked, determined players could technically maintain a count during gameplay, even using pen and paper if they choose.
In short, while card counting in live dealer blackjack is more feasible than in RNG games, the conditions make it impractical for most players.
Should You Try Card Counting Online?
For the average Canadian player at CanPlay, card counting is more of an interesting concept than a practical advantage. Live blackjack is best enjoyed for its entertainment value, authentic feel, and real-time interaction.
Instead of focusing on advanced strategies, players can improve their chances by:
- Learning basic blackjack strategy.
- Managing their bankroll wisely.
Conclusion
While card counting is a legendary technique in the world of blackjack, its effectiveness in online formats is extremely limited. RNG blackjack reshuffles after every hand, and live dealer blackjack – while technically countable – introduces enough challenges to make card counting a long shot.
Still, live dealer blackjack at CanPlay remains a thrilling way to play, offering the feel of a real casino from the comfort of home. Stick to smart play, have fun, and let the cards fall where they may!
