Blackjack card counting has gained popularity as one of the best ways of gaining an edge over casinos. With just a few tricks and a mind for numbers, the smart player can win big and cheat the house out of its money. However, card counting may not be as effective or even really possible when it comes to online blackjack.

Lack of Real Decks

Most blackjack card counting tricks rely on predicting what cards are coming up by keeping track of what has already been played. This relies on a mathematical analysis of what cards exist in each deck and how many decks are in play. However, unlike physical casinos, online casinos are not limited to physical card decks. They use random number generators, automatic shufflers, and sometimes even a changing number of decks. Counting techniques are undermined because the cards in play are no longer predictable.

Software Programs

Some online players attempt to get around the limitations in card counting online decks by using complex software programs. Unfortunately these programs have not been proven to give blackjack players a substantial leg up, even though the programs do most of the calculations for the player. The player still has to make bets according to what is played. Using a betting strategy chart can sometimes help, but because counting is almost impossible to do accurately online, a strategy chart may not provide as much assistance as it would in a brick and mortar casino.

The best things a player can do is avoid blackjack card counting and concentrate on learning effective betting strategies. With practice, online players can learn the most effective strategies and gain their edge through repeated implementation of those strategies. Save the card counting for the brick and mortar casinos.