On the blackjack side of things, you can never not have someone begging you to count cards. And there is that unresolved problem of is counting cards a crime? No the answer is no, but the practice itself comes with problems and dangers that can turn even the most committed gambler off. The aim of this article is to give the real scoop on card counting and what’s really driving the theory behind this strategy and why you shouldn’t jump right in.
Margins Are Really Shallow… In fact
Card counting could be a golden ticket to instant wealth but the truth is different. Most card counters who aspire to the profession look up to stories of storied teams, such as MIT’s, who turned their talent into millions of chips on the table. But these are few and far between, and they are misleading for the casual player.
Understanding the Numbers
When you count cards, you’re basically trying to get the house just a bit closer to you. The reality is, that advantage is low, in the order of a few percentage points. A good card counter, for example, might be at 1-2% better than the average person but this is not a guaranteed win every time they hit the casino.
Profits come in the long haul, and that isn’t a good feeling for quick-termists. Variance is so big a part of gambling, you might win a couple thousand dollars one night and lose it all the next. Actually, it isn’t so much that the players make large sums of money but dribs and drabs.
Long-Term Commitment
It’s not a switch-pulling business to make quick money by counting cards: it’s an investment. Your bankroll is your reservoir of money that will fluctuate. Counting cards may not be the answer for you if you are after a sure shot quick money making scheme. Be prepared to lose money on the process, and mentally prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that is this form of “advantage gambling”.
You Don’t Have It Easy The Chances Aren’t There
Even with the slight edge, you are not in. Blackjack is played to the advantage of the house and counting cards gives you some advantage, but doesn’t make the situation fair. Add the losses from losing streaks and the fantasy of living on your winnings is less a fantasy than an illusion.
It’s Not Much Fun
Most people come to casinos for entertainment, for thrills and pleasure. When you think about the time it would take you to sit around a table and really focus on each card you’ve been dealt, it’s not so easy to enjoy it.
The Boring Game of Counting Cards
Card counting turns the live action of the casino into a mathematical choreography. The game itself won’t thrill you — you’ll be stuck on a treadmill of focus and stress. You can’t even meet people if your brain is in the midst of calculations.
Think of being at a table where people are giggling and drinking and you’re staring at the deck and anxiously working out the ratio of high to low cards. The fun is sucked out of you and it’s nothing more than an unavoidable monotony.
Missing Out on Casino Culture
If you go to a casino it is not just the gambling but the atmosphere. Slot machines to fine food — casino atmosphere is the place for the senses. Card counting put you in a shell and you can’t experience anything out there. Playing with other players or drinking a drink comes after numbers.
The Social Element
We often ignore the social element of gambling because it makes all the difference. Talking with other players can be friendship and narrative. But in card-counting mode, you cut yourself off from those exchanges, losing some of the fun ties that make casino time enjoyable.
It’s Hard To Master
And the job as a master card counter sounds wonderful, but the journey to mastery is hard. The only way to make money is to put in a lot of time and effort into both basic blackjack strategy and advanced counting.
Learning the Basics
Card counting isn’t as straightforward as it seems and before you start, you need to learn basic blackjack rules. It’s knowing things such as how to hit, when to stand, how to split or double down. These rules are important to get your head around because that’s what your counting plan will be based on.
Once you understand the basics you can progress to card counting like Hi-Lo or KO. All systems are complex and will take time to get it right. And there is more to learn: putting the information to use under stress is another mountain to scale.
Mastery Takes Time
Mastery doesn’t happen overnight. Other people might work for months or years perfecting their techniques, by training with friends or by practicing through software simulations. Once you get used to counting cards, then it’s time to train your body language. Casinos train staff to spot card counters so if you are even slightly fazed, you can be charged.
Avoiding Detection
Card counting comes hand-in-hand with low-key. You have to play among the unpretentious around the table, and look closely at the cards. Pressure to appear hidden is unforgiving, bringing yet another hurdle to this art. You have to be so mentally tough to keep your eye on the cards and still be so casual.
You Have To Have A Great Deal Of Money To Begin With
A great deal of players think that counting cards makes them rich. It gives you a slight edge over the house, but it’s simply not realistic if you don’t have a big enough bankroll to survive the inevitable vicissitudes of gambling.
The Bankroll Requirement
To show you why, think about the blackjack team at MIT that once had an original $89,000 in their bankroll. There’s no reason a small investment of say $200 is going to cut it for most people. You will not be able to maintain your bets and even when you lose streaks.
You go broke if you don’t have enough money, before you ever get any returns on your investment. You’re basically trying to take your own shit, trying to cash in on a small advantage without money to buy your game.
Patience is Key
Counting cards is not “make a fortune overnight”: you need to be patient. Some players can be weeks, months, even years before they make any profit. During this period you might experience big losses and burnout. If you don’t go in prepared, you might be tired before your goal is met.
Prepared for the Long Haul
If card counting is serious business, you are in for a ride. Build a budget where you can adjust your income when needed. Know that it is going to take you not only time and energy, but large amounts of money to make a profit. This is the hard-won truth when dealing with the sometimes turbulent waters of advantage gambling.
You Will Get Caught
Despite the widespread belief that card counting is illegal, the truth is that it isn’t. However, casinos are vigilant in monitoring players suspected of counting cards, and if you attract attention, the consequences can be severe.
The Immediate Consequences
Getting caught card counting typically results in immediate expulsion from the casino. You could be approached by security personnel, informed of your ejection, and escorted off the premises. Worse still, you won’t be able to cash out your chips, leaving you feeling embarrassed and financially vulnerable.
Imagine investing countless hours honing your skills, only to have it culminate in an embarrassing exit. This moment can be disheartening, especially if you genuinely enjoy the environment of the casino.
The Stigma of Being Caught
Beyond the immediate consequences, being identified as a card counter carries a stigma that can follow you throughout your gambling career. Casinos keep records of individuals they suspect of counting cards, and this information can spread across establishments in the area. This means that you could potentially be barred from multiple venues, limiting your options for play.
The Emotional Fallout
The emotional impact of being caught can also be considerable. You may feel humiliated and frustrated, especially if you had envisioned a bright future filled with winnings. Instead, you’re left grappling with feelings of defeat. This emotional toll could cause you to rethink your entire approach to gambling, perhaps even distancing yourself from the hobby altogether.
Then You’ll Get Banned All Over Town.
After you’ve been busted counting cards at one casino, the effects go far beyond the casino. It can be circulating your picture around town in the casino community and it could ban you from all casinos.
The Ripple Effect
Casinos don’t want you to worry about the suspected card counters as it doesn’t help their profits. If you’re sure you can just fly from casino to casino and not be caught, then think again. As soon as you enter any casino that’s on the network, you might get caught and asked to leave immediately.
It’s a cascade effect that puts a tight cap on your choices. You may no longer be able to attend live games at all, meaning you won’t have many chances to play the same activity you did before.
The Isolation
Banned casino will isolate you from the gambling world. Work out party, just hang out with the guys, but you aren’t invited to anything casino-themed. The social impact can be a great deal more than your recreational activities, not to mention your relationships.
Turning to Online Gaming
If you can’t visit the casinos in person, many old-time card counters resort to online gambling. That option eliminates some of the social barriers, but it doesn’t give you the full buzz of a land-based casino. Your new freedom may make you feel good, but probably nothing like a blackjack table where people laugh, joke and boo.
The Lesson? Don’t Give Card Counting To Film Industries
Card counting has been made a kind of escapist hobby in movies, with characters earning fortunes by doing it. But that is much less flattering. With all the difficulties discussed above, you can see that card counting is not the panacea many people make it out to be.
Debunking the Myths
Card counting myths are to be debunked. Sure, there are success stories, but there are very few. The vast majority of players leave with slim profit margins and some get ejected and banned permanently. The cinematic gloss is replaced by the grim facts of constant work, gruelling examination and little fun.
Choosing Enjoyment Over Edge
So rather than try to get a little edge with a lot of trouble attached, be a fan of the gambling that actually feels good. Prioritise the friendships, the action, and the commonalities that make the casino visit worth while.
So, you can’t have anything against wanting to get ahead when it comes to gambling, but you don’t have to lose your pleasure by doing it. Blackjack should be fun, not a sport where you’re stressed or taking your career with it.
Embrace the Experience
And the point is: leave card counting to the film industry where the stakes are great but the numbers are bad. Choose the experience of being in the game and in the company of other players over the mess of card-counting.