Can You Count Cards at Online Casinos?
Lesson description
Card counting is possible with online casinos, but there are a few catches. Learn how to count cards in online games of 21 with Mr Blackjack.
Here is a question that I get a lot. Can I count cards when playing at an online casino? The answer is yes, but with a few caveats.
For one, you can't count cards on blackjack games operated on random number generator software.
This software generates numerous options which the game will choose at random. There's no discard tray, meaning the same card can appear whenever.
The software makes the game truly random, meaning card counting won't work.
What you should look for is an online casino that has live blackjack games with dealers that hand shuffle and have a shoe to hold the cards.
The gameplay is the same as blackjack tables in brick-and-mortar casinos, just all live-streamed in real-time. With live games, you can count cards but be aware the gameplay is generally slower too.
Of course, there's always a caveat. Some live dealer blackjack games are better than others. Avoid the ones with automatic shufflers, as this also negates any benefits you get from card counting.
What this lesson covers
- When you can count cards in online blackjack
- Games or features counters should avoid
- The best online blackjack games to count in
Meet Mr Blackjack
With a career spanning two decades, Mathieu Blake knows his way around a blackjack table. He's taught and entertained over 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel NeverSplit10's . In this series he'll take you through basic strategy, card counting, and bankroll management. Take a seat with Mr Blackjack and become a winning player.
Want to learn more about Blackjack?
FAQs
- Does card counting work on online blackjack?
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Card counting in online blackjack is possible under specific circumstances. You need to find live dealer blackjack games that do not have any continuous shufflers, and has deep deck penetration.
- Can you make a living playing online blackjack?
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Along with shuffling and deck penetration, game speed can also affect your winnings. Live blackjack games are slower, meaning you might win less money per hour than usual. As a result, serious blackjack players should spend time finding live games that run at a speed they prefer.
- Do you count cards differently with online blackjack games?
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With live blackjack, the gameplay is identical, so you can count cards the same way you would in a brick-and-mortar casino. Other online blackjack games, such as RNG-powered titles, are truly random, so you cannot apply card counting to these games.
- Is video blackjack and RNG blackjack the same thing?
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Video blackjack and RNG blackjack refer to the same game. Both forms use RNG-powered software algorithm to generate the cards and outcomes in the game.
- Can I count cards in RNG blackjack games?
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RNG-powered blackjack games are truly random, meaning it’s impossible to count cards. Our live dealer blackjack guide covers the differences between different online blackjack games, and what this means for your winnings.
- Do live blackjack and video blackjack have the same odds?
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Live blackjack and video blackjack have the same rules and objective, but the difference lies in the shoe. Live blackjack uses a real dealer and has a discard tray for dealt cards. Video blackjack uses an algorithm, meaning there is no discard tray. Like a dealer shuffling the shoe after every hand, it’s impossible to use techniques like card counting to improve your odds with video blackjack.
- Do I use the same bet spread systems in online card counting?
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You can use the same unit size and bet spreads in online blackjack games as you would at the blackjack tables in brick-and-mortar casinos.