Online live blackjack card counting is a strategy used by gamblers to increase their winning chances. While this method can be effective in land-based casinos, it is also very controversial, and live dealer casinos prevent players from using it in various ways. In this article, we explain in detail how card counting works in online Live Blackjack with live dealers, discuss the legal aspect of this technique, and summarize its main pros and cons.


What Is Online Live Blackjack Card Counting?

In a nutshell, card counting online in live blackjack is keeping a record of the value of the cards coming out from the dealing shoe.

In a nutshell, card counting online in live blackjack is keeping a record of the value of the cards coming out from the dealing shoe. Using such a strategy gives you increasingly accurate information on which cards may be dealt next. The winning odds and the house edge change with each played card, and if you keep track of the changes, you can make a more informed decision on whether to hit, stand, split, double down, or make an insurance side bet.

Is It Legal?

While live blackjack card counting is not prohibited by law, according to table etiquette, you shouldn’t do this. In most casinos, counting cards is considered cheating. Some online gambling platforms may even ban you for using this strategy. Still, in reality, every experienced player counts cards to some extent to get a better blackjack payout. 


Can You Count Cards In Online Live Blackjack?

So, can you actually count cards in online live blackjack? Theoretically, you can. But live casino sites have developed their live games in such a way as to prevent cheating and increase the house edge to the maximum. Here are several ways they prevent gamblers from counting cards:

Typically, eight 52-card decks are used in the game.
Shoe penetration rarely exceeds 50%. Furthermore, the shoe is changed once four decks have been dealt.
Auto-shuffling and auto-dealing shoes provide a fresh shoe before dealing each hand.
The top cards or face-down cards are removed from the decks at the beginning of the shoe.

Due to these steps, it is almost impossible to keep an accurate count of cards. Therefore, we recommend you use the basic strategy and wise bankroll management when playing instead of live blackjack bankroll card counting.


How Does Counting In Cards Online Live Blackjack Work?

All you need to do is monitor the face value of any cards revealed. Here are the four best steps to count cards in live blackjack:

Assign cards a value. For example, cards 2-6 may have a value of +1, 7-9 cards will have a 0 value, and 10-A cards will have a value of -1.
Use these values to keep a running count with every card the croupier pulls from the deck. This will allow you to monitor the running value of the cards remaining in the deck.
If the count is negative at the end of the round, increase your wager amount. And conversely, if it is positive, lower your stake, no matter whether the dealer stands on a soft hand or hard hand.

Pros And Cons Of The Strategy

Before we summarize it, here are the highlighted benefits and drawbacks of counting cards in live blackjack.

Pros

It helps you improve your skills
It makes you more focused
Increases the winning chances

Cons

It may be challenging for beginners
Most live casinos prevent you from using this strategy

Play Live Blackjack At Reputable Casinos

If you want to practice different betting strategies on the most popular variations of blackjack, you should choose a reliable casino site.

If you want to practice different betting strategies on the most popular variations of blackjack, you should choose a reliable casino site. Check our list of reputable operators offering the best collections of live blackjack titles. We’ve reviewed each casino for security and fairness and guarantee you will get a top-notch playing experience. Online casinos know how to watch for counting in live blackjack, so we discourage you from using such a technique.


Final Thoughts

Counting cards in blackjack in real time is an ambiguous strategy that allows you to increase your chances of winning at an online casino. However, experienced players may notice this, as the style of play when counting the cards of the game may change. Casinos with live dealers have evolved significantly, and real-time blackjack tables are different from land-based ones. Live casinos take many steps to prevent their players from using this method. Apart from the fact that it is difficult to do it effectively, the potential profit is so small that it is not worth the effort.


Frequently Asked Questions

About the author
Oliver Grant is a Live Casino Reviewer and Game Analyst at livecasinomate.com. He placed his first bet in 2016 and since then he has been a professional gambler who reviewed more than 100 live gambling sites. after a successful bet at 888 Live Casino. Frustrated by misleading online casino reviews, Oliver took matters into his own hands and now he shares his expertise and personal experiences to help players worldwide.