Blackjack Card Counting Practice: Improve Your Skills and Win
Card counting is much simpler than many people realize. You don’t need an eidetic memory, as some Hollywood films would have you believe. You just need to know how to do simple addition and subtraction. The problem is that you need to do this quickly during an active game, and if you’re in a real casino, you have all the noise and distractions to deal with.
But practice makes perfect, as they say. How can you get some blackjack card counting practice to make this technique easier?
Blackjack Card Counting Practice
Firstly, card counting does not always guarantee success and won’t make you rich. It takes hard work and long gaming sessions. If you don’t know that, and you’re still getting to grips with some of the basics, this is not a good time to concern yourself with blackjack counting practice.
Check back with some strategy articles and other basics like our guide to the blackjack ace value.
If you’re ready for the next step, here are some methods to get plenty of blackjack counting practice:
Use a Card Counting Simulator
Some numerous websites and apps operate like a blackjack card counting game. They simulate the hands and let you keep track. You can change the game’s speed and specific blackjack rules, so you’re free to advance and introduce more complexity when you nail the early stages.
Most of these simulators are free and very easy to use. Search your respective app store for “Card Counting Simulator” and check the reviews.
Card Counting Training on YouTube
There are thousands of blackjack sessions on YouTube. Streamers show themselves at blackjack tables in real casinos and online casinos, and as they focus the camera on the table, you can see all of the cards.
You will have to contend with the streamer speaking throughout and the regular distractions that seem commonplace on all YouTube videos—captions, random clips, gifs, chat relays, sound effects, etc. However, these will help you to hone your skills, as you’ll be surrounded by distractions when you run an actual count in a real casino.
Run Card Counting Drills in Low-Stakes Games
When ready for real-money games, switch to a live casino, make a small deposit, and play blackjack hands. Start with the minimum bet and build from there, trying to count cards as you go.
Record all of your winnings and losses and see how successful you were. Many live casino games shuffle the cards to stop card counting, but your goal is not to run an actual count and win big. You’re just getting some practice when you try the real thing in a land-based casino.
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Play at Home
You can get plenty of blackjack card counting practice at home. You’re good to go as long as you have at least one deck of cards.
Keep dealing the hands, running a count, and simulating bets. It’s good card counting practice as you can do things independently without relying on computer simulations or apps. While effective, these programs aren’t ideal if you count cards in a real casino.
Following the action on a screen and clicking buttons is very different from sitting in front of a dealer, using real chips and cards, and trying to run a count when distractions surround you.
Upgrade to two, four, six, and eight decks when you have enough blackjack counting practice with a single deck. Buy yourself a shoe, speed up the dealing, and try to stay on track. We also recommend learning some hand signals for blackjack to keep the games moving freely and prevent you from getting distracted by talking and interacting.
Summary: Counting Cards Blackjack Practice
There are many ways to practice your card counting skills, from a blackjack card counting game to online simulators and home games. You can also just head for your local casino and try the real thing. It’s still blackjack, and even if your count is not perfect, you still have every chance if you stick with basic blackjack strategy.
Blackjack Common Queries
Is card counting in blackjack illegal?
It is not illegal, provided the players don’t use any tools to assist them with the count. After all, they only use their memory and math skills, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, as with all businesses, casinos can ban or remove players.
What is the easiest way to count cards in blackjack?
The true count is one of the easiest methods. It assigns a value to each card (+1 for 2-6, 0 for 7-9, -1 for everything else), and you then calculate a total as you see the cards on the table (not just yours, but also those held by the dealer and other players). You then increase your bets when the count is high (more high cards left to deal) and decrease them when it’s low (more low cards left to deal).
How do you practice card counting?
Use a deck of cards and practice at home, play online games, or use a simulator.
Is counting cards good for your brain?
Anything that engages your brain can be good and keep you sharp. The same is true for puzzles; blackjack becomes a big puzzle if you’re counting cards.
Is blackjack beatable without card counting?
If you find a game with a low house edge and use basic blackjack strategy, you can greatly increase your chance of winning. However, there will still be a house edge, so you need to get lucky to win consistently.
How do casinos prevent card counting in blackjack?
One of the easiest ways for casinos to counteract card counting is to practice frequent shuffling. Card counting is also less effective (although still possible) with more decks in the shoe, which is why many games now use six or eight decks.
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