Card counting is a strategy that is primarily used in blackjack. Players try to keep track of the cards they have already played in order to better assess their chances.

It’s about determining the probability of certain cards appearing. People who master this technique can better judge when to bet, hold or fold. When you choose online casino, you will get a new sense of confidence and motivation for your gaming career.

The story behind it

The history of card counting goes back a long way. It was popularized in the 1960s by the book “Beat the Dealer” by Edward O. Thorp.

He was a mathematics professor and used computers to perfect this technique. His book showed that it was possible to beat the house using mathematical methods.

How does it work?

Card counting involves assigning a value to each card in the deck. Most of the time they are simple values like +1, 0 or -1. When a card is played, the player adjusts their running count.

A high value means that many low cards have been played and therefore there are more high cards left in the deck. This gives the user an advantage.

It’s not completely illegal itself. However, it is often considered an undesirable practice. You have the right to exclude people who are identified as scammers or change their conditions.

How do casinos react to this?

Various methods have been developed to combat this. This includes:

• Multiple decks: Using multiple decks makes the technique more difficult.
• Shuffling Machines: Automatic shuffling machines continually shuffle the cards, making this even more difficult.
• Security: Cameras are often used for detection. Staff are also trained to recognize such practices.
• Changing the Rules: Sometimes they change the blackjack rules to prevent the attempt.

Famous names

There are some famous cases of card counters winning large sums. One of the best known is the MIT Blackjack Team. They were a group of students and graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They won millions worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s. Her story has even been chronicled in books and films like “21.”

Another personality is Ken Uston. He was an American blackjack player and author who was known for his ability to lead entire teams. They made significant profits in the 1970s and 1980s. They were known for their disguises and camouflage. His book “The Big Player” revealed the secrets behind the art.

Another prominent character is Tommy Hyland. He was the leader of one of the longest lasting and most successful blackjack teams. Founded in the early 1980s, it used team strategies to achieve success for decades. This led to many confrontations with security forces and arguments over legality.

The ethical debate

Although legal, there is an ongoing debate about the ethics of this practice. Proponents say it’s a legitimate strategy to even the odds in an inherently unequal game.

Critics, however, see it as a form of cheating that undermines the integrity of the game. This debate also extends to the question of how to deal with such perpetrators. Above all, whether the current measures are justified or excessive.

Final Thoughts

It’s a fascinating technique that combines mathematics, memory and strategy. However, the constant evolution of security shows that this art will always remain a controversial topic.