7 Reasons Blackjack Players Are Afraid to Count Cards

Counting cards is one of the most misunderstood practices in the world of gambling. For one reason or another, gamblers of all skill levels can’t seem to agree about the legitimacy of the practice. Some feel as though it’s immoral and violates unwritten rules. Others believe it is illegal and can land gamblers in hot water if they are caught counting cards.

In all actuality, the practice of counting cards is simply a strategically advanced approach to one of the most popular table games. Unlike basic blackjack strategy, there are several different ways to go about counting cards. When done effectively, counting cards can shift the house edge into your favor. Despite this, new gamblers tend to avoid the practice. Here are seven reasons why some blackjack players are afraid to count cards.

1 ‒ They Think It’s Illegal

Growing up, I always thought counting cards was illegal. That misconception was most likely a byproduct of several gambling movies I watched as a kid. In those movies, the protagonists get caught counting cards and are beaten within an inch of their life in the back of the casino. I had that image ingrained in my head for the first few months I gambled.

Having said that, the only time most casinos would legitimately ask you to leave is if you’re winning serious money. The odds of that are slim. All in all, fear of legal ramifications shouldn’t deter you from counting cards.

2 ‒ They Think It’s Challenging

Counting cards is not as complicated as the under-informed gambling public makes it out to be. Like other types of gambling, there are several card counting strategies to utilize. These strategies vary in degree of difficulty and your rate of success. But even if you struggle with counting, there is most likely a method for you.

Admittedly, the most effective counting systems are incredibly challenging to master. A more complex system could take months and even years to implement properly. On the other hand, the most basic system can be figured out in a matter of minutes. When you’re first starting to learn, consider sticking to a more basic method.

3 ‒ It Doesn’t Improve Your Odds

Blackjack is a table game that’s widely known to have some of the best odds. The house edge typically hovers between 0.3% to 2%, provided gamblers play with perfect strategy. In simpler terms, that means you’re winning almost 50% of your hands when you play by the book.

Because of this, newer gamblers might opt to stick to playing standard blackjack by the book. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, it can be somewhat myopic. Settling for around a 50% rate of winning will lead to minimal or no profit in the long run. If your goal is to break even, keep playing by the book.

But don’t convince yourself that counting cards isn’t an effective practice. When gamblers use the most intricate counting systems under the best circumstances, they can gain a 1% edge on the house.  Those circumstances typically involve playing a one-deck game where dealers stand on soft 17s.

4 ‒ Counting Cards Isn’t Profitable

Like the previous point, this one comes down to the way you approach blackjack. If you play blackjack to have fun, then counting cards most likely isn’t for you. Additionally, blackjack is already one of the most potentially profitable games in the gambling world. So, you’re already in a good position to make money at the tables.

A common excuse that inexperienced gamblers use to rationalize their inability to count cards is a lack of profit. It’s true that counting cards only increases your potential winning percentage by around one percent. But if you’re serious about making money, you must take any advantage available to you.

Counting cards not only gives you a better chance of winning hands, but it also makes you a more diligent player. Even if you’re playing by the book, there’s a chance you have a momentary lapse in judgment or encounter a distraction. Counting cards forces you to be hyperaware of every single card that is dealt, which increases your chances of winning.

5 ‒ It Takes the Fun Out of Blackjack

There’s little point in gambling if you aren’t enjoying yourself. Whether you enjoy the games or making money, you should enjoy some aspect of the game. Over the years, I’ve run into several gamblers who contend that counting cards isn’t fun. Most say that it makes the game feel like a job. I find that contention to be erroneous.

Winning money is enjoyable. The game of blackjack is enjoyable. So, it stands to reason that winning money playing real money blackjack is also enjoyable. I understand that counting cards is a more active and laborious form of blackjack. But half of the fun in the game comes from needling out wins over time.

As I said in an earlier point, new card counters must start small. Typically, that means utilizing a more straightforward counting system and not increasing your bets based on the information at hand. If you find yourself enjoying the process, continue to invest time into learning a more intricate system. If not, there’s no shame in simply enjoying a game of blackjack.

6 ‒ They Think They’ll Look Foolish

Once you begin counting cards, you might become aware of other card counters. Most share similar eccentricities and are usually more involved in the games. This might scare you into thinking other gamblers will judge you as you engage in the learning process. But that’s not typically the case.

You should approach counting cards like any other aspect of gambling. When you were learning to play blackjack in the first place, you might have been timid. But over time, you became comfortable then competent at the tables. The same thing will happen as you learn to count cards.

You’re going to make mistakes along the way. It’s crucial that those mistakes don’t cost you money because that’s where many problems begin. Increasing your bet based on the cards remaining in the deck and guessing wrong can be mortifying. I advise against deviating your plan of attack until you have mastered a certain method.

7 ‒ It’s Not Worth the Effort

I’m not going to tell you that counting cards is worth it. That fact depends on your personality type and your thoughts on the world of gambling. If gambling is a fun side hobby you rarely engage in, counting cards might not be worth the effort.

However, if you aspire to become a savvy veteran blackjack player, then there’s no reason to avoid counting cards. It’s been proven repeatedly that counting cards is the only legal way to gain an edge on the house. The edge might be small, but as I said, sharp bettors take any edge available.

If you’re a new blackjack player, make sure you have basic blackjack strategy memorized before learning to count. That strategy needs to be the cornerstone you build the rest of your game around. If you aren’t air-tight on your in-game knowledge, your chances of winning will decrease rapidly.

Conclusion

If you’re under the impression that counting cards is illegal or immoral, you’ll be surprised to find that the opposite is true. But that’s by no fault of your own. Many new, inexperienced gamblers are conditioned to think that’s the case.

Card counting is the only way gamblers have an opportunity to shift the odds into their favor. There are several methods you can use that vary in difficulty. While some techniques are relatively easy to learn, others take a great deal of time and patience to master. Counting cards improves your chances and can increase your potential for profit at the tables.

When deciding whether you should learn to count cards, consider the reasons you’re gambling in the first place. If you want to win money, you should do everything in your power to increase that likelihood. However, if you rarely gamble, there are definitely better ways to spend your time.