Card counting

Introduction to card counting

For many people, the term blackjack strategy is virtually synonymous with card counting. Card counting has been featured in many books, movies and TV-series and it is often portrayed as an easy way to get rich quick.

In reality, card counting is a complicated task that requires a thorough understanding of blackjack odds to be beneficial. When MGM Studios decided to finance the movie "21", a film that depicts a successful card counting team and explains the basics of card counting to the audience, they were applauded by MGM Mirage and other MGM Casinos. A film like 21 is destined to attract people to the casinos and make them lose money as they attempt to utilize the crude card counting technique featured in the film.

One of the dangers of card counting is overestimating how much you benefit from it. Even a highly skilled card counter may run into a serious chunk of old fashion bad luck during a session. There are several card counters and card counting teams that have been successful in the long run, but even they have fluctuating bankrolls. Your small statistical advantage may only be noticeable in the long run.

No matter how good you are at card counting, you can never know for sure what the next card out of the shoe will be. Card counting is only good for skewing the odds slightly in your favor. It takes determination, discipline and a sizable bankroll to be successful. There is however no need to be a genius or even particularly good at math. Even a fairly dense individual can learn complex card counting techniques provided that he or she is willing to put in the time.

If you wish to become a successful card counter, you need to start by learning the odds of blackjack and basic blackjack strategy. If you skip this step, the mistakes you are bound to do at the blackjack table will undermine whatever statistical advantage you manage to gain through card counting.