Blackjack is one of the few beatable games on the casino floor, provided that you play optimally and use techniques that give you a mathematical advantage over the house. Card counting is the most widely used method to achieve this. Savvy players have been using it with great success at land-based casinos for the last seven decades.
This raises an important question: is this strategy applicable at online casinos with live dealers, and if so, is it effective? The following article covers the topic in detail. Before we address its effectiveness, we will briefly explain what card counting is and how it works.
Card Counting Basics
First things first, card counting is a form of advantage play rather than a cheating technique and as such, it is perfectly okay from a legal perspective. It gives players an idea of the composition of the remaining deck(s), i.e. the ratio of high to low cards that remain to be dealt. A deck or shoe rich in low cards favors the house, while more high cards work to the advantage of players.
Counters use this knowledge to size their wagers proportionately. They bet less or nothing when at a disadvantage and increase their stakes when the remaining cards favor them. Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to be a savant or excel at math to count cards. The only requirement is to have some basic knowledge of addition, subtraction, and division.
You must master blackjack
basic strategy before you make any attempts to count cards!
Card Values
The Running Count
The True Count
Bet Sizing Based on Count
Card Values
Counters assign values to the cards based on their denomination but these count values can differ based on the counting system one uses. The system we recommend is called the Hi-Lo where high-denomination cards are counted as -1 and low ones are valued at +1. The third group comprises neutral cards (7, 8, and 9) – these do not have any count value since they favor neither the house nor the player.
| Card Denomination | Assigned Value under Hi-Lo System |
| Ace, Jack, King, Queen, Ten | -1 |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 1 |
| 7, 8, 9 | 0 |
The Running Count
Players add or subtract the corresponding values of each dealt card to maintain a running count that indicates the current composition of the remaining deck. The table below demonstrates how this works and as you can see, we end the round with a running count of -3.
The Hi-Lo is a balanced counting system, which means you always arrive at a running count of zero when you go through one full deck of cards. Excluding the neutrals valued at 0, there is an equal number of high and low-denomination cards in a single deck so they cancel themselves out.
| Dealt Card |
Current Running Count |
| Ace |
-1 |
| Jack |
-2 |
| King |
-3 |
| 2 |
-2 |
| 7 |
-2 |
| 3 |
-1 |
| Queen |
-2 |
| 9 |
-2 |
| 10 |
-3 |
The True Count
Multi-deck games, such as those available at live dealer casinos, require one additional step. You must convert your running count into a true count. The true count is the current running count divided by the number of remaining decks in play, rounded to the nearest half deck. For instance, a running count of -3 with 2.5 decks remaining yields a true count of -1.
Bet Sizing Based on Count
As the true count increases, the player’s advantage grows, which calls for raising the bet. Bet sizing should be proportionate to the current true count and the player’s edge. Many players calculate their wagers by subtracting one base betting unit from the true count. For example, if you use $20 as your base unit and reach a true count of +3, you should bet two base units, or $40 in total.
What You Can Do Instead of Card Counting
Now that it is clear card counting is largely ineffective at live dealer casinos, the question arises: what can online players do to improve their situation? There are several ways to achieve this, including using perfect basic strategy, choosing variations with favorable rules, and managing your bankroll properly.
Use Perfect Basic Strategy
Scout for Tables with Lower House Edges
Manage Your Bankroll Adequately
Use Perfect Basic Strategy
Learning perfect basic strategy before joining the live blackjack tables is the most effective step you can take. It gives you the optimal play for every hand based on your starting total and the dealer’s exposed card. Basic strategy helps you shave off some of the house advantage, increases your win rate, and reduces your long-term losses.
Strategy charts are freely available online. If you find it difficult to memorize all the moves, you can download and print a chart for reference while playing at a live dealer casino. Online gambling operators allow their customers to use basic strategy, which is not the case with card counting. Follow the chart consistently on every hand that is dealt to you.
Certain basic strategy moves differ based on
house rules and deck number. Make sure you find a chart that corresponds to the playing conditions at your preferred live blackjack tables.
Scout for Tables with Lower House Edges
Online players have better chances of winning at live dealer blackjack when they select variations with lower house edges. You can do this by playing at tables with more player-friendly conditions, since each rule either increases or reduces the house advantage. Examine the two variants below and you will quickly see what we mean.
Manage Your Bankroll Adequately
Managing your funds wisely always pays off, especially when it comes to gambling. Set aside a bankroll reserved solely for playing live blackjack and be disciplined enough to stick to it. First, determine how much money you need per session and bet in proportion to your session bankroll.
If you have a limited amount at your disposal, play at tables with lower limits instead of overbetting your bankroll. Finally, if you want your session bankroll to last longer, look for full or nearly full live tables where the game runs more slowly, allowing you to play fewer hands per hour.
