Is it possible to count cards in the year 2008 in BlackJack and make money?

Question

I've been doing lots of researching and it seems that casinos have a lot of counter-measures against card counting. Can you still win in the 21st century counting cards in Blackjack?

Answer 1

Yes.  But it's not going to be easy.

First off, you'd need to know basic strategy perfectly.  Then you'd also need to know how the count of the deck could potentially affect basic strategy.

Secondly, you'd have to be able to count perfectly and not become confused or disoriented by counting in a casino.

Thirdly, you'd have to consider the exact combination of house rules to determine which casino has generous enough rules that you could even overcome their edge.  Remember Blackjack house edge is not fixed at all.  The specific set of house rules can change the casino edge by as much as 10% or more.  Not all Blackjack games are the same.

Fourthly, you'd probably need to work with some other excellent card counters.  Because it may be hours before you happen to sit at a table where the count gets high enough to warrant big betting.  The rest of the time, you are playing at a disadvantage to the house.

I think that the edge a good counter can expect is smaller than many people realize.  The popular and expert site Wizard of Odds, suggests that 1% edge is about the best a good card counter can hope for.  I'm guessing this could be higher working as a team (like the movie 21), but unlike the movies, it is still not a license to print money; far from it.  If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.

Quite honestly, I think it is going to be quite a fight to win large amounts of money from any casino these days (unless it's pure chance like hitting Megabucks).  Casinos have a lot of technology on their side to spot card counters and others who are taking their house edge away.

I suspect there are very few people out there who can consistently beat the house and get away with it.  Players are far better off playing games like Blackjack tournaments, poker, and other games where the house doesn't care if you win or lose.

Answer 2

Yes.  I currently make money by counting cards while playing blackjack.  It is hard to make "a lot" of money while counting.  

Team play is the only feasible way to make a lot.  I play on my own, and make a decent yet small amount.  

As time goes by, casinos can and will take any counter measure to prevent someone from legally gaining an advantage over them.  However, beatable games do exist.

Answer 3

Count card is still works for increase the chance for you to win. However, you need some luck as well to win the money

Answer 4

I would say it's possible but d**n hard to do and you have to realize card dealers are on to this!

Answer 5

It depends on where your playing.

Answer 6

No, and not worth the time thinking you can do it either.

If you win some money, you have to figure the casino is tolerating you. I would not wear that out. The casinos have always had counter-measures. If you read one of the first books ever written about using a system to play blackjack, they tell you about casino countermeasures.  There are too many things going on out there now to stop you from winning.

The best counters only had a very small edge anyhow.

The rule changes of the games are not good either.

Don't ever play against a shuffle machine.

Shoe multple deck games are almost impossible to beat.

I would only play against a two deck game with normal rules.

The single deck 6:5 blackjack is a loosing game.

Watch where they put the re-shuffle indicator card.

If you don't get much penetration, then that's a bad game too.

  

Answer 7

It is very possible.  Just don't go overboard and people won't notice.  Also, you may not want to turn in a player's card when you play.  The system keeps up with the date and time you played, how long you played, how much you bought in for, and how much you won or lost.  If you win a considerable amount of money every time you play, you become suspect.  If there is no card, you are just another player.  Also, watch how you bet.  If you go from betting $10 to betting $100 and you are winning your larger bets, that's a flag.