6 Reasons Not to Use the Card Counting Technique When Playing Casino Games

If you're a blackjack player, you've probably heard of the so-called card counting technique which can secure your edge over the house. Unlike other gambling strategies, the card counting technique is able to not only increase the RTP of the game but also bring it above 100% which means you will win in the long run. It all started with the MIT team that "robbed" the Las Vegas casinos for over 10 years by using the perfect blackjack card counting technique. Since then, however, land-based casinos' security services have been tracking down the counters and kicking them out. In addition, many casinos started using multiple packs of cards to make life much more difficult for counters. However, this is not the case when you play blackjack at an online casino. By joining VipArabClub, you can enjoy various versions of live dealer blackjack and use the card counting technique whenever you feel like it. While card counting is certainly a strategy worth trying, we've decided to give you a different perspective and explain why you shouldn't use the card counting technique. 

How the Card Counting Technique Works

If you do want to try out the card-counting technique in practice, you should start by learning it. Contrary to misconceptions, this technique does not give you a complete picture of the cards in the deck, so you won't be able to predict what the next drawn card will be. However, you will know if the cards in the deck are predominantly high or low. So, to use the card-counting technique, you have to do the following:

• Conditionally divide all the cards into 3 groups: 2-6, 7-9 and 10-Ace.
• Assign a numerical value to each group of cards as follows: 2-6 = +1, 7-9 = 0 and 10-Ace = -1.
• Set up a counter in your mind which is 0 at the beginning of the round. Keep track of the cards drawn from the deck and add the numbers corresponding to the cards. For example, if a 2 and a 6 are drawn, the total score is -2. 

So, as the game progresses, you need to keep the total score in mind and change it depending on which cards are drawn from the deck. To benefit from the total score, you need to be able to make the right conclusions. For example, a negative count means that there are few high cards left in the deck. A negative or zero count is a signal for you to lower your bet. If the total score is positive, you have the advantage and you should raise your bet to win more. 

Reasons to Avoid the Card Counting Technique

So, now you know how the card counting technique works. However, the strategy described above uses a simple card-counting algorithm. In fact, there are many techniques with much more complex calculations. And that means you'll need to spend some time researching and learning which one works for you. In addition, there are several other reasons why you should avoid using card-counting techniques - check them out below. 

It Doesn't Guarantee Big Wins

Calculations show that using this technique can give the player an advantage of around 1% over the casino. That corresponds to an online slot with an RTP of 101%. However, a 1% advantage is not a guarantee that you will win every round. Moreover, this advantage will not make you rich in the short term. In fact, a 1% advantage means you'll be in the black playing an endlessly extended playing session. In simple terms, if you play 100 rounds at $1, you'll earn $101. Because the advantage provided by using the card-counting technique is minuscule, you will find that you win extremely slowly. One night you may win several thousand dollars. But on the other hand, you might lose almost all that money, and that's the nature of gambling. 

It Requires a Lot of Mental Work

If you're a casual casino player, or simply come to the casino to unwind after a hard week's work, using card-counting techniques can be very tedious. Instead of relaxing and enjoying each game round, you'll be doing a lot of mental work, distracting yourself from the entertaining aspects of blackjack. Alternatively, you can learn a basic strategy that will reduce the casino's edge to a paltry 1-0.5%. Since there are plenty of basic strategy charts on the internet, you can use them as a cheat sheet without overworking your brain. A basic blackjack strategy will help you make better decisions about when to Hit, Stand, Double Down or Split. In addition, you will learn the art of Surrender which is also the right move in some game situations. In the end, it is not necessary for you to use blackjack card-counting techniques to win big. 

It Makes No Sense When You Play RNG-Based Blackjack

When you join VipArabClub, a popular online casino among Arab players, you will find both a live dealer and an RNG-based version of blackjack on offer. While live dealer blackjack provides a more authentic blackjack experience, its RNG-based version also has some advantages. For instance, you'll be able to play RNG-based blackjack in free demo mode without risking your money. Also, RNG-based blackjack is a single-player game that you can play at your own pace without being pressured by anything. Keep in mind, however, that computerized blackjack doesn't use physical cards. It's essentially played with an infinite number of packs of cards and therefore the use of card-counting techniques is not practical here. However, when playing RNG-based blackjack, you can still use a basic strategy that greatly reduces the edge of the house. 

You Don't Have A Big Bankroll

If you are new to card-counting techniques, you may be under the false impression that you can take the casino by storm. As a result, you will start to disregard the rules of sound bankroll management. Even if you master the Hi-Lo system, which is a very advanced card-counting technique, you will still have a small advantage over the house of 1-1.5%. Such a small advantage means that there are a lot of ups and downs ahead of you. So, you will only earn $10-15 from every $1,000 you spend on bets. Keep in mind, however, that these winnings do not come in a linear fashion. Blackjack is a fairly volatile game, and using card-counting techniques will not give you the ability to control this parameter. Practice shows that you need to have up to $10,000 in your bankroll in order to successfully handle the volatility of blackjack. You can, of course, start with such a large bankroll if you have that amount. However, if you only have a couple of hundred dollars to spend on gambling, then using card counting techniques makes little sense. 

You're Not Ready to Spend Much Time and Effort on Your Own Learning

Having seen the Hollywood movie about the MIT team, you probably now think you can quickly learn the technique of counting cards and winning big. However, you need to put a lot of time and effort into learning this blackjack strategy. Firstly, you need to know the rules of the game thoroughly. If you're still confused as to whether or not you should Double Down or Stand, then continue to learn the basic rules of the game. Secondly, you must know the basic blackjack strategy so you'll be able to make the best moves depending on the game situation. Third, you must know - and always stick to - the rules of smart bankroll management to avoid unnecessary costs when fortune isn't on your side. Finally, even when you learn how to count cards, the work isn't over yet. You must hone your skill at using card-counting techniques to get it into automatic mode. If you don't meet the requirements above and are not prepared to invest that kind of time and effort, then the card-counting technique is not what you need right now. 

It's Hard to Find the Right Game

Originally, blackjack was played with only one pack of cards. However, as card counters have become a drain on casinos, operators have made blackjack a multi-deck game. It is more difficult to count cards when they come from more than one deck. Although there are strategies to keep the score even in blackjack with more than one deck, the calculations you make in your head become far more difficult. Today, you're unlikely to find a live blackjack version played from a single deck. And that means you'd be better off focusing on learning a basic blackjack strategy because it works under all conditions. 

Closing Thoughts

Online Blackjack is probably the only casino game where you - in theory - can gain an edge over the house. However, you only get that advantage when you use a perfect card-counting technique. Although not a very complicated strategy, it is not suitable for every blackjack player. Furthermore, online casino operators have made life much more difficult for counters by introducing multi-deck versions of blackjack. Remember that successful card counting requires both learning and practice, so you can't just learn the strategy and expect instant results. Even if card-counting techniques are not for you, there is nothing wrong with using a much simpler basic blackjack strategy that reduces the house advantage to a paltry 1-0.5%.