Detecting Card Counters: Casino Strategies Explained

Card counting is a strategy casino players use to reduce the house edge when they play blackjack. It involves keeping track of cards as they are dealt and using this information to get a sense of the remaining deck. 

If the deck appears to have more high cards remaining, players bet higher than when they think the deck contains mostly low cards, which is when players will reduce their stake. High cards are considered more beneficial to players, and low cards are judged better for the dealer. 

Of course, this damages the house edge and is something that top UK casino sites will not be too happy about. As such, they deploy a number of methods to attempt to stop players from card counting and to detect them doing so. Join Genting Casino as we explore some of the main methods used by casinos to combat card counting. 

Is Card Counting Legal?

One of the biggest myths surrounding card counting is that it is illegal in blackjack. Card counting in blackjack is not, and never has been, illegal. 

There are absolutely no laws against keeping track of the cards dealt and potential cards remaining in a casino game. Card counting doesn’t require any devices or the use of technology; it is just mental maths. A casino has no legal grounds to stop guests from card counting. 

However, as a private business, casinos can set rules and refuse service to anyone as long as it is not for prejudicial reasons. Therefore, if a player is suspected of card counting, they can be asked to leave the casino. Harsher punishments include banning the player from the casino and even blacklisting the player, preventing them from attending any casino that shares the blacklist information.

Why Do Casinos Want to Stop Card Counting?

The simple answer is money. Blackjack is a card game in which, when used correctly, some strategies can help reduce the house edge. 

Casinos want to deter card counters because it reduces the amount of profits that casinos can squeeze out of people playing blackjack. The main objective of card counting is to adjust your bet based on whether the deck is judged as favourable or not. By betting more when the deck is advantageous, players can maximise their profits, while betting less when the deck is unfavourable reduces losses. 

Card counting does not mean you will win every single hand, but successfully employing the technique over a long period could help players reduce losses and boost their odds when compared to non-card counting. 

Blackjack is a guy with such a small house that the casino wants to protect it as much as possible. It is not possible in games like roulette to impact it anyway, so they need to be extra vigilant in games where it is possible. 

Main Methods Used to Spot Card Counting

While casinos may feel financially threatened by card counters, detecting the behaviour is not straightforward. Card counting relies on mental arithmetic and doesn’t require additional devices or technology, so it is hard to spot. Casinos employ several methods to identify and prevent card counting:

• Cameras - Every business in the Western world uses CCTV to monitor activity, and casinos are no different. Cameras monitor the casino floor for various reasons, including to prevent card counting. A surveillance team watches the footage live to look out for behaviour that might raise suspicion.
• Card-counting dealers - High-quality live dealers are in the best position to spot card counters as they are right on top of the action. Casinos have been known to teach their dealers card counting so they can be on alert for people using the technique. Since they are in close proximity to players, they are also best placed to notice unusual betting patterns.
• Additional staff - Casinos may also employ additional staff who patrol the casino floor, observe players, and look for signs of card counting on blackjack tables. These staff members could be run-of-the-mill security staff, covert security staff dressed in plain clothes, or even behavioural specialists who look out for body language or other physical indicators of card counting. Casinos can even use members of staff to disrupt the card counter. They can ask waiting staff to regularly offer service to the counter or use covert staff members to engage the player in conversation. These actions could break their concentration and disrupt the count.
• Dealing techniques - Authentic UK casinos can use techniques at the table to disrupt card counters. These methods include regularly shuffling the deck, using multiple decks in one shoe, or using devices like continuous shuffling machines.

Conclusion

Card counting is an entirely legal but usually unwelcome practice for reducing the house edge in games like live blackjack. It threatens a casino's profitability and compels them to employ measures to detect and prevent card counters. Through surveillance, observation, and dealing techniques, the casino can identify people counting cards. If you are intending on card counting, it could be beneficial to understand these methods and keep your eye out when at a casino table. Although it is completely legal, casinos have to protect their interests, so if you are caught card counting, you will likely be ejected and possibly banned from the casino or all casinos in the area.

FAQs

Can casinos prove I am card counting?

No. It is impossible to prove something that is being done in someone’s head. However, they are entitled to be suspicious and can act accordingly. 

Does card counting require equipment?ack

No. Card counting is entirely done in someone’s head. It is a difficult technique that takes a long time to perfect. 

Can I get punished for card counting?

Potential punishments for card counting include being removed from a casino and potentially being blacklisted by a group of casinos.