While many of us have heard of the concept of counting cards, far fewer likely have ever attempted the art or even fully grasp what is involved. It’s certainly not an easy strategy to adopt and one you wouldn’t wish to get caught attempting by casino operators.
Card counting is a strategy players employ to gain an advantage in games like blackjack by keeping track of the high and low-value cards that have so far been dealt. The idea is to adjust your bets based on the cards remaining in the deck.
This can increase your chances of winning as you adapt your strategy to suit the game’s situation. While this method requires skill and concentration, it is often appealing to gamblers who seek to gain an edge over the house.
Card counting in the UK is not technically illegal. However, casinos frown upon it because it disrupts their house advantage. Casinos reserve the right to take measures against suspected card counters, such as banning them from the premises or adding them to a blacklist, but they cannot press any legal charges solely for card counting.
This grey area creates an intriguing dynamic between skilled players and vigilant casinos, resulting in some fascinating tales, such as the popular movie 21 about MIT students using their maths skills to beat the house.
Card Counting in the UK
Card counting in the UK has a fascinating history that traces back to the early 1960s. The strategy gained prominence after the American mathematician Edward O. Thorp published his 1962 book Beat the Dealer, which introduced the concept of using statistical analysis to gain an edge while playing blackjack in casinos.
Over the years, various groups, like the famous MIT Blackjack Team, have employed card-counting techniques to win millions at land-based casinos. Casinos have always been wary of card counters and implement various measures to detect and deter players from attempting this technique.
Today, while card counting remains a legal strategy in the UK, it continues to be a contentious issue between players and casinos.
Common Card Counting Strategies
There are several different card counting systems that have gained popularity among blackjack players over the years. Below, we look at some of the most common:
Hi-Lo System
The Hi-Lo System is the most widely used card counting strategy. The premise is that you assign values to different groups of card rankings to keep track of what has been played. A value of +1 is assigned to low cards (2-6), 0 to middle cards (7-9), and -1 to high cards (10-ace). By keeping a running count, you can gauge the likely outcome of the remaining deck.
The Knock-Out System
The Knock-Out System is similar to the Hi-Lo System, with cards assigned a set value. In this method, all cards from 2 to 7 are valued at +1, 8 and 9 hold a value of 0, and 10-ace cards are -1. This unbalanced system doesn’t require a conversion to true count, making it an easier option for beginners.
The Omega II System
The final card-counting strategy we look at is the Omega II System, which is a far more advanced strategy that uses a wider range of values. Following this method, you assign cards 2, 3, and 7 a value of +1; cards 4, 5, and 6 a value of +2; 9 is -1; and 10 to ace are -2. This system provides a more precise count but requires more concentration and a higher skill level.
The Legality of Card Counting in the UK
Simply put, there are no laws against counting cards in the UK’s gambling legislation. The strategy involves a level of skill and good memory, things which cannot be controlled by the law.
While casinos can take measures against suspected card counters, such as banning them from the premises, they cannot press legal charges solely for card counting.
Casino operators do, in fact, employ several measures to detect card counters so that they can exercise their right to refuse service and evict the card counter from the premises. They are vigilant in their pursuit of players who count cards and will often share their discoveries across establishments, which could result in you being banned from all land-based venues in your area.
How Casinos Detect Card Counters
In land-based casinos, operators employ several different methods to detect card counters, including some of the following:
- Monitoring behaviour: Security teams observe players looking for telltale behaviours typical of card counters, such as an intense focus on the game, minimal conversation, and consistent betting patterns.
- CCTV surveillance: All modern land-based casinos have extensive video surveillance systems, which monitor gameplay and players’ actions.
- Data analysis technology: Casinos have many different software programs available to them that can analyse players’ betting patterns and identify signs that could indicate card counting.
- Blacklistings: Casinos maintain databases of known card counters and share this information between casino establishments, effectively banning card counters from all venues in the area.
Notable Card Counters in the UK
While there aren’t many widely known card counters specifically from the UK, some famous figures in the broader history of card counting have made an impact on blackjack players and card counting in the country. For instance, Edward O. Thorp, mentioned earlier, is often regarded as the godfather of card counting with his 1962 publication.
In the UK, card counting isn’t as prominently featured in popular culture or media as it is in places like Las Vegas. However, the general principles and strategies developed by these famous card counters have influenced players worldwide, including players in the UK who continue to use such methods to beat the house.
Card Counting at Online Casinos
Counting cards at online casinos is far more challenging than in traditional, land-based casinos due to the technology used to create the platforms. Most online blackjack games use automatic shuffler machines that shuffle the deck after each hand, making it nearly impossible to keep count of the cards.
Additionally, online casinos often use shoes containing multiple decks and employ sophisticated algorithms to prevent card counting practices.
Some live dealer games attempt to replicate the in-person casino experience and might offer a more stable deck, but even then, the frequent shuffling and use of multiple decks will severely limit the effectiveness of card counting.
The Realities of Counting Cards
While card counting is not illegal in UK casinos, gaming establishments strongly frown upon it, and as discussed, getting caught can result in trouble with the casino operator. Players caught employing card counting techniques can face serious consequences, such as being evicted from the casino, banned from returning, and added to industry-wide blacklists.
The strategy itself relies on skill and memory, which technically places it within the bounds of the law. However, casinos have a vested interest in maintaining their advantage and thus take measures to identify and deter card counters.
Therefore, while the legal landscape may permit card counting, the practical implications make it a risky endeavour for UK players.
