20 May 2025
Card counting has long been a strategy people employ to improve their chances of winning hands of blackjack. Players assign values to card classes and keep a running count as the cards are dealt. They then adjust their stake depending on whether the deck indicates more high cards or low cards. It is typically used at brick-and-mortar casinos for the physical hands of blackjack. However, online gambling is more popular than ever, so join us at Genting Casino to find out if you can use card counting to play online blackjack
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How Online Blackjack Works
The difference between online and in-person games of blackjack, which most concern card counters, is how the cards are dealt. The dealer typically uses decks of cards shuffled into a shoe at a casino. While the decks are periodically shuffled, card counters can restart their count when the new shoe starts.
Online blackjack uses Random Number Generators (RNGs) to simulate the shuffling of cards. An RNG is a complex computer algorithm that ensures randomness in online games of chance. They are used across all online casino games, including everything from video poker to slot machines.
These ensure that every outcome is completely random and has absolutely no relation to the previous turn, hand or spin. Ensuring RNGs lean more towards the house is completely prohibited. This makes it just as possible for players to win multiple hands of blackjack in a row as it is possible in any casino.
Why Card Counting is Not Effective With Online Blackjack
As a general rule, RNGs in online blackjack are shuffling randomly and providing hands that have absolutely no connection to the previous hand, as an RNG should.
If an RNG in an online blackjack game is simulating the shuffling of one deck then it would be possible to card count. However, most RNGs simulate a number of decks at once. Players have absolutely no knowledge of how an RNG is programmed, which makes it impossible to card count online.
An RNG may be programmed to simulate continuous shuffling or reshuffling between rounds, ensuring engaging blackjack gameplay. This makes it very difficult to know whether card counting is providing a reasonably accurate picture of what is remaining in the deck.
You must also consider the speed of online blackjack compared to physical games. A computer can instantly deal with every single player around the simulated table. Whereas in a physical or even live casino, the dealer is physically collecting and dealing. Although dealers are usually incredibly skilled and quick at their jobs, they will never be as fast as a computer.
Misconceptions about Card Counting in Online Blackjack
Despite evidence that suggests card counting during online blackjack is impossible, some will still claim that it is a viable strategy.
There are websites that purport to offer specialised software or tracking systems that can help card counting. However, the nature of RNGs indicates that these tools cannot aid card counting in online blackjack, especially if the RNG is employed to ensure that each hand is completely independent of the previous hand. Online casinos will also employ strict measures such as firewalls and encrypted access that prevent software from accessing the information in the back end of online casino games.
Another misconception is that real money online casino games are rigged against players, but that is not permitted. It is possible that unlicensed and unregulated casinos may engage in such nefarious practices, but it should be impossible for properly licensed casinos to do the same. You should always make sure you use online casinos that are regulated by reputable licensing authorities.
Stay Cautious
Card counting may help counteract the house edge in physical games of blackjack at brick-and-mortar casinos, but it is not a reliable strategy in online blackjack. Top blackjack sites in the UK that offer online blackjack games are powered by RNGs, which may use continuous shuffle patterns. The game is also much faster, making things all the more difficult.
Card counting is never guaranteed to win blackjack hands, regardless of whether you are playing it online or in person. You should practise safe, responsible gambling at in-person casinos and online. Remember to set time and money limits that you adhere to, even if card counting indicates the cards might fall in your favour.
FAQs
Who invented card counting?
Edward O. Thorp is the man credited with the invention of card counting in the 1960s. Since then, it has become a popular card-playing technique.
Is card counting easy to learn?
Absolutely not. Card counting is an extremely difficult tactic to master and can take years to learn and execute correctly.
Will I win money card counting?
Card counting, like other popular card-game techniques, does not ever guarantee a win for blackjack players.
