Card counting is a popular strategy used in blackjack that has fascinated players and casino operators. Over the years, card counting has evolved from a simple technique into a highly refined method of shifting the odds in favor of the player. With the advancement of card counting and other strategies, online casino games have a rejuvenated feel.
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The Origins of Card Counting
Card counting was born out of the desire to reduce the house advantage in blackjack. Unlike some online casino games, blackjack has an element of skill, and the outcome of each hand is influenced by previous hands, making it perfect for statistical analysis.
Card counting dates back to the 1950s, when a group of U.S. Army engineers, later known as “Four Horsemen,” developed the first formal card-counting system. Their work showed that players could gain a statistical edge over the house by keeping track of the cards played. This allowed players to predict the likelihood of favorable cards being dealt in future hands.
Edward Thorp and the Rise of Modern Card Counting
In 1962, Edward O. Thorp, a mathematics professor, published his breakthrough book Beat the Dealer. In this book, he introduced a mathematically sound method for card counting, showing how a disciplined player could reduce the house edge and even tilt the odds in their favor.
Thorp’s system was based on a simple point-based technique, where high cards (10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces) were assigned a negative value, and low cards (2-6) were assigned a positive value. By keeping track of the running tally, players can gauge when the deck was rich in high-value cards, thereby increasing their bets.
How Card Counting Works?
Card counting is not as complex as it appears, but it requires immense concentration and sharp memory. The basic idea is to track the ratio of high-value cards to low-value cards remaining in the deck. When the deck is rich in high-value cards, the player has an advantage because they are more likely to be dealt a natural blackjack (an Ace and a 10-value card).
A player using a card-counting system adjusts his bet size depending on the count. For example, when the count is high, a player increases his bet to maximize the return. If the count is low, a player goes for a minimum bet or stops playing to stop incurring losses.
How Casinos Countered Card Counting?
As card counting has become more popular, casinos have begun implementing countermeasures to protect their profits. The following are the most common ways in which casinos counter card counting:
- Multiple Decks
The simplest countermeasure was to increase the number of decks in the blackjack game. By introducing multiple decks, casinos made it difficult for card counters to keep an accurate count.
- Frequent Shuffling
Casinos began frequently shuffling the deck, sometimes after just a few hands. This tactic resets the count, nullifying any advantage a player might have gained from the previous hands.
- Cutting the Deck
Many casinos used cutting off a portion of the deck before dealing, ensuring that not all cards would be dealt. This made it impossible for players to reach the end of the deck, where their advantage would be the strongest.
- Banning or Blacklisting Players
If a player is suspected of card counting, casinos can take severe actions like banning the player from the platform or blacklisting them. Even though card counting is not illegal, casinos are private entities with a right to refuse service.
Final Thoughts
Card counting has a long history, with a humble beginning. Card-counting methods have advanced over the years, giving players with concentration and sharp memory an advantage. Casinos have employed several methods to counter card counting, some of which really work great for them by ensuring that players do not get an advantage over the house.