Card Counting in Online Blackjack

The question we want to consider with Internet blackjack is whether or not card counting can be done profitably.

Online blackjack is pretty much the same as land-based casino blackjack.  What that means in regards to card counting is that card counters are rare and most people don’t make any money doing it.  There are many reasons card counting is tough, not the least of which is most casinos use multiple decks. Card counting in online blackjack is not as easy as people make it out to be.  Some people use the basic +1, -1 system.  That is where you give a +1 to small cards like 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and give -1 to the face cards and the ace.  The 7, 8, and 9 are neutral.  In this system you need to add and subtract the values for every card that is shown on the table.

You keep track from one hand to the next and vary your Internet blackjack bets accordingly to the count.  The problem with this system is that most casinos use multiple decks. That makes the system much less valuable. Single deck games are very rare at casinos and in online blackjack. Card counting with multiple decks just does not give you much of an in online blackjack.  There are casinos that do have single deck online blackjack games but even those don’t guarantee you a profit.  Too many people discount the factors like streaks, money management, etc. with online blackjack.  They all play a part in online blackjack and card counting won’t solve those problems.

In addition to finding a single-deck online blackjack game, you have to be very well prepared and show the same traits that winning players in other forms of online betting show.  You have to be disciplined, well prepared, and show good money management.  Most people don’t do that in online blackjack.

Another problem with card counting in online blackjack that nearly everyone forgets is that even if you do it perfectly, which very few people do, the edge you gain over the house is less than 2%.  That sounds like a lot of work for a very small edge in a situation you will rarely find in Internet blackjack.  You also must remember that if you make mistakes at card counting in Internet blackjack your advantage is gone and most every card counter is going to make mistakes.