Maybe you’ve seen it in the movies, or maybe you’ve witnessed it at a land-based casino when gambling at the blackjack table – people trying to turn the odds in their favour by counting cards during the game. This must have made you wonder if the strategy really works and what it’s all about, but it also raises the question of why is counting cards illegal in the first place.

Well, counting cards isn’t really illegal, although you’ll find many casinos that treat it as if it were. This strategy is more common in physical gambling than in an online casino like ours, primarily because all the tables we offer feature RNG systems that make it impossible to predict the outcome of the next round.

When gaming at Unibet Casino, you can test over 300 blackjack tables and countless other video and live dealer tables. Today, we’ll also tell you what this strategy really includes and why some people swear by it while others avoid it altogether. Let’s get into it!

What Is Counting Cards?

Counting cards is a strategy that can help you keep track of the cards that have already been used since you joined a table. Usually, this strategy helps improve the odds on blackjack tables, and it’s not that commonly used for other table games. By counting cards, you can adjust your bet based on the possibility of low-value or high-value cards appearing in the following rounds.

Before we get into the topic of why is counting cards illegal, let us tell you what this strategy includes. Most people who count cards categorise them into groups based on whether they are good, neutral, or bad for them. As the dealer starts a new round, you check the value of the cards per player and make a mental image of the ones that have already passed.

If you suspect that more high-value cards are left and that you can use them to your advantage, you can adjust the bets accordingly. The same goes for low-value cards, which will require doubling down or even splitting your hand to get closer to 21. But to achieve all this, you also need to ensure that you know the rules of blackjack well.

Why Is Counting Cards Illegal—Or Is It Really?

Even though it’s an activity that can get you banned from a casino, counting cards is not really illegal. There are no government laws saying that you can’t do it,  it’s just against a casino’s policies in most cases.

What this means is that, while frowned upon, counting cards is perfectly legal. It’s a form of mental mathematics that might even come naturally to you, depending on the type of player you are. Especially for players with photographic memory, it’s natural to keep track of cards and use that to your advantage.

But there’s a catch.

Why Is Counting Cards Illegal According To Casinos?

Casinos are private businesses, and each one has the opportunity to set its own rules. We at Unibet Casino have a detailed terms and conditions document that outlines how to use the casino and what to avoid if you want to play here. Some casinos impose bans on counting cards even in their T&Cs, which could lead to serious consequences for players who engage in this practice.

Some casinos consider card counting a form of cheating as it gives more experienced players an advantage. They may want to prevent players from card counting in order to keep their tables fair and balanced, while also protecting the house edge.

However, it can be challenging to prove that someone is counting cards, and at the same time, you cannot ban someone on the presumption that they are doing so. Instead of explaining to them why is counting cards illegal or unwelcome, the casino will use other tactics to try to limit card counting, such as constant shuffling of the decks, shuffling machines to randomise outcomes, etc.

Why Avoid Counting Cards at Online Casinos?

There are several reasons players consider counting cards. First off, it gives you a slight edge, as you don’t rely solely on chance when playing at the tables. Second, it gives you instant gratification because you’re able to use your smarts to turn things in your favour.

However, there are also reasons you should avoid this when playing at online casinos in particular. Instead of educating you only on why is counting cards illegal, we want to tell you why there’s no point in trying to do it when gambling at online casinos:

• Counting cards doesn’t work on RNG tables: At Unibet, we pride ourselves on collaborating with software providers that have RNG-based games, which means that the game is led by a system that randomises the outcome of each round. There are constant reshuffles, making it challenging to keep track of remaining cards.
• Live dealer tables get frequent reshuffles: In addition to RNG or video blackjack tables, we offer live dealer tables at our live casino online that also get frequent reshuffles. You’ll often notice that dealers use continuous shuffling machines, which constantly switch the cards in position.
• Casinos can track your play easily: Some platforms can detect players who take longer than necessary to make bets, which could flag them for suspicious behaviour. If you’re trying to use this strategy to make bets, it might flag your profile, leading to a possible ban from the casino.
• There are better ways to play wisely: Instead of focusing on card counting, we recommend trying to improve your strategy by practising on our demo tables before playing with real money. You can also find many blackjack games with low house edges, low minimum stakes and favourable rules, which are great for beginners.

So, instead of focusing only on why is counting cards illegal and how you can use it to your advantage, you should remember that there’s no guarantee you will win even with this strategy. While it might give you a slight edge, you’re better off simply mastering the gameplay, which can lead to more positive results in the long run.