Card Counting in Online Live Blackjack

Blackjack is, and always will be, one of the most popular card games played in both online and physical casinos across Ireland. While luck plays a role in getting the best cards and winning big, you can certainly boost your winning potential with a solid strategy.

There are numerous strategies you can employ when playing card games online. Among the most talked-about is card counting.

Putting card counting into practice is a bit trickier with online blackjack compared to a land-based casino. However, it's still definitely possible and can give you a slight edge over the house in Ireland.

How Does Card Counting Work in Irish Casinos?

Whether you're spinning the reels on slots or enjoying blackjack or poker, you can often find ways to gain an advantage, and card counting is one such method.

This technique involves diligently keeping track of the cards that have already been dealt and committing them to memory. As you play and get into the rhythm of counting, you'll become much better at assessing whether the next hand is likely to favour you.

Step 1: Assign Values to Dealt Cards

To begin, you need to observe the cards as they're dealt and assign them specific values:

• Low cards (2s through to 6s) = +1
• Neutral cards (7s through to 9s) = 0
• High cards (Aces through to 10s) = -1. This ongoing tally is often referred to as the "running count."

Step 2: Calculate the True Count

Next, you need to derive the "true count." This is crucial for online blackjack games that often use multiple decks. To convert your running count to a true count, divide it by the estimated number of decks remaining in the shoe. You can make an educated guess by observing how much of the shoe has been played. For example, if your running count is +9 and you estimate there are 3 decks left, your true count would be +3.

Step 3: Know Your Advantage

Next, apply the “true count” to determine if you hold an edge over the house. Here is how true count determines the advantage or disadvantage: -3 = 2.05% house edge -2 = 1.53% house edge -1 = 0.80% house edge 0 = 0.42% house edge +3 = 1.77% player’s advantage +2 = 1.17% player’s advantage +1 = 0.58% player’s advantage Remember that a higher true count lets you risk more with high confidence.

The Possibility of Online Live Blackjack Card Counting

While online live blackjack uses real decks of cards, they are shuffled more frequently than in a traditional casino. This makes it harder for players to count cards effectively. Additionally, many live online casinos employ software to detect card counters and prevent them from playing. However, it is still possible to use card counting strategies in online live blackjack if you are disciplined and adapt your strategies to the online format.

Strategies for Card Counting in Online Live Blackjack

Here are some tips to help you implement card-counting strategies in online live blackjack:

Keep it simple

Stick to a basic card counting system like the Hi-Lo count. This system is easy to learn and implement and will give you a good idea of when the deck is in your favor.

Practice

Practice counting cards at home before playing online live blackjack. There are many online simulators available that can help you improve your skills.

Adjust your betting

When the deck is in your favor, increase your bet. When the deck is against you, decrease your bet. This will help you maximize your winnings and minimize your losses.

Pay attention to the game

Stay focused on the game and avoid distractions. Watch for changes in the dealer's behavior and patterns in the cards dealt with.

Risks and Rewards of Card Counting in Online Live Blackjack

Card counting can give players an edge over the house, but it also carries risks. Here are some potential risks and rewards to consider:

Rewards

• Increased chances of winning
• More accurate betting decisions
• Ability to take advantage of favorable situations

Risks

• Detection by live online casinos and possible ban
• Legal consequences in some jurisdictions
• Requires a significant amount of time and effort to master

Conclusion

Overall, card counting will always be easier to implement if you are playing in a land-based casino. Nevertheless, this strategy will work well even online if you practice it enough and find a good casino to do it.

We recommend you start on blackjack tables with fewer decks in play, which will make your job simple.