Why Card Counting Doesn’t Always Work in Online Blackjack

Card Counting Relies on Live Playing Environment

A lot of the things that card counting relies on are a factor of a live playing environment. For example, most live blackjack games only use a few decks. The most regularly used in a live game is eight. The fewer the decks, the more likely that you’ll be able to gain an advantage using card counting.

In a live environment, table space and other logistic factors limit the number of decks that can be used in a game. However, in online games, these restrictions are lifted since the cards are virtual. Thus giving reason to why card counting doesn’t always work online, It’s not uncommon for games to use 100, 200 or more decks in online blackjack casinos.

The longer it takes for a dealer to shuffle the shoe, the more likely you are to be able to get an advantage with the results of card counting. Again, in live games, this is necessary because it takes so long to shuffle a deck. However, in online blackjack games, the dealer can shuffle the shoe after every single hand without any negative consequences for the house. This means that card counting is effectively shut out as a strategic option in these games because you can’t ever get an advantage on the very first hand of a new shoe.

Card Counting Basic Strategy

Overall, basic strategy and solid mental training to minimize your deviations from the basic strategy are the best weapons you have in online blackjack games. Your overall goal is to minimize the house advantage and maximize your payout rate.

While it’s possible to count cards at blackjack tables at online USA casinos, you have to pick games that have very specific characteristics. In short, you can’t pick games that have too many decks or that shuffle too often. This rules out the vast majority of blackjack games on the market, so you have to pick carefully.