The honest truth about card counting

Most card counting content oversells it. Here's the real picture, so you can decide if it's worth your time.

Yes, it works. The edge is small.

A skilled counter in a good game typically has an edge of about 0.5% to 1.5% over the house. That means over thousands of hands, not tonight. You will have big losing sessions even when you play perfectly.

You need a real bankroll

Because the edge is small and the swings are big, counters plan on a bankroll of roughly 100 of their maximum bets. Never play with money you need.

Many games can't be beaten

• 6:5 blackjack (paying $6 for a $5 blackjack instead of $7.50) costs you more than counting can earn back. Only play 3:2 games.
• Continuous shuffling machines put cards back into the deck constantly. There's nothing to count.
• Shallow shuffles (dealing only half the shoe) kill most of the value.

It's legal, and casinos can still ask you to leave

Counting in your head is legal in the US. Using a device is not. Casinos are private businesses, and they can stop you from playing blackjack or ask you to leave if they think you're counting.

Play responsibly

If gambling stops being fun or starts costing more than you planned, talk to someone. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is free and confidential: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), or visit ncpgambling.org.

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