Beginner Card Counting Guide 2025
The term card counting is something that most gamblers are familiar with, even if they don’t know much about gambling. Card counting is a term used to describe certain techniques that a gambler can employ while playing a Blackjack in order to reverse the house edge and give themselves the advantage. For this reason, many players are very curious about this technique and want to know more.
We here at Casino US thought we’d put a detailed article together about the subject and tell you all about card counting, what it is, when it works, and when it doesn’t. We have a complete list of recommended casinos below, where players can enjoy playing online blackjack.
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Updated: 11/04/2025
Beginner Card Counting Guide 2025
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Card Counting, What Is It?
Before we get any further in this article, we should probably briefly define what the term means. The term card counting refers to a technique where a player is able to track what cards have already been dealt. If they know what cards have been dealt, they have a better idea of what cards remain.
This allows card counters to better predict what cards will be dealt next and they can increase the size of their bet if they have a better chance of winning. If done correctly, a player can reverse the house edge in a game of Blackjack and give themselves an advantage of between 0.5 and 1% over the casino.
Players must keep in mind that card counting is not some magical way to win every hand. There will still be losses of money, especially if done incorrectly. For this reason, a large bankroll is normally required for counting cards.
In addition to this, while it is legal and not officially considered cheating, it is still frowned upon by casinos. Typically, most players who try to count cards do it incorrectly and the casino benefits, but if you’re doing it properly and winning large sums of money, expect the casino to ask you to leave if you’re caught.
Why You Should Consider Counting Cards
When it comes to getting an advantage over the casino, counting cards is simply the best way to do it. Other options, such as past-posting and base dealing, are 100% considered cheating and should not be done at all. If a player is caught doing these, they will definitely be prosecuted. Counting cards, on the other hand, is legal, as technically it is just a way of playing strategically.
Using any aids to count cards, such as apps on your phone, is not though. As long as the player is doing everything in their head, it’s legal to do. So, there really isn’t any reason not to do it, but players should make sure they don’t get caught. While a player can’t be charged, the casino is likely to ask them to leave.
When it comes to playing at a casino, unfortunately, counting cards is largely ineffective. This is because of the way the gambling games are set up and the random number generators that are used to determine the next card that is drawn.
When it comes to playing at a casino, unfortunately, counting cards is largely ineffective. This is because of the way the gambling games are set up and the random number generators that are used to determine the next card that is drawn.
Card Counting Method of Choice
Video poker is a favorite among casino players. If you’ve played regular poker before, you’ll feel right at home. But video poker offers some clear advantages—it’s faster, solo, and more focused on strategy.
Most gamblers have played poker at home with friends or tried their luck at a casino table. They already know the basics. So let’s jump to what many players want to learn—how to count cards.
There are many ways to do it, but most methods are too complicated. That’s why we recommend starting with the easiest and most popular one—the Hi-Lo system.
Here’s how it works: each card is given a value.
- Cards from 2 to 6 = +1
- Cards from 7 to 9 = 0
- Cards from 10 to Ace = -1
You start counting as soon as the round begins. Every card you see, you update your total count. If your count is positive, it means more low cards have been played. So, high cards are more likely to come next.
This system becomes more accurate the longer you play in a round. Early on, it’s not very helpful. But as more cards are dealt, it gives you better insight into what’s left in the deck.
Yes, there are more advanced systems out there. Some players believe they offer more accuracy. But in real games, they don’t help much more—and they’re easy to mess up.
Complex systems slow you down and increase your chance of making mistakes. The faster you play, the more hands you get—and that’s your best chance to win. Stick to the Hi-Lo system for a simple, smart edge at the table.
How to Keep Your Card Counting a Secret
Using a simpler card counting method, like the Hi-Lo technique we just spoke about, is the easiest way to stay undetected. You don’t need to be a mathematical genius to do it, and with enough practice, it will become second nature.
This allows players to seem casual while doing it, including talking to other players. There are numerous card counting coaches on the internet that will help you practice at home, so you can concentrate on appearing natural at the Blackjack table. However, there are some methods casinos use to counter card counters.
Using a Cutting Card
A cutting card is a point at which the deck is reshuffled. This was one of the first countermeasures put into place to try and discourage counting cards. The cutting card makes sure that the full deck is never used.
Using a Number of Decks
Another popular method to use is making use of multiple decks of cards. The more decks in the shoe, the less accurate the card counter will be. Most Blackjack tables will use eight decks of cards.
Counting the Cards themselves
One of the newer methods is for the casino to count the cards themselves. An automated system will scan each card as it’s dealt and will know when there are more high or low-value cards remaining. This allows the system to flag a player who suddenly raises their bets when the deck favors the gamblers.
Using Facial Recognition Software
Another tool in a casino’s arsenal is to use facial recognition software in conjunction with the security cameras. This allows the casino to compare a player’s face to a database of known card counters or cheaters. This can potentially allow a casino to stop a well-known card counter before they even reach the Blackjack table.
Using Card Counting at a Casino Site
So, what about when playing at an online gambling site? Can you successfully use card counting techniques when playing online Blackjack? The truth is that yes you can, but only under very specific situations. One of the reasons counting cards can work in a land-based casino is because Blackjack tables can only use a certain number of decks at a time.
Most of the time it is eight. However, there are no space restrictions when it comes to the online version, so it is entirely possible for a game of online Blackjack to draw from a hundred or more decks.
In addition to this, many online Blackjack games reshuffle the entire deck after every hand, so there is always the same number of cards in the virtual shoe. This is not possible when playing at a land-based casino.
However, there are some Blackjack games at casino sites that limit the number of decks used, and in these situations, it can be effective. But players must be careful and make sure they only try counting cards at online Blackjack games where it will be effective.
