Card Counting in Online Blackjack – I Tried It So You Don’t Have To

There was a time I thought card counting could work online. So yeah, I gave it a shot. And after testing it across regular online blackjack and live dealer tables, I’ve got the verdict. If you’re curious like I was, below is the whole truth.

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What Card Counting Really Is

At its core, card counting is about tracking which cards have already been dealt. Mainly, you’re watching for high cards (10s, face cards, Aces) vs low ones (2–6).

The more high cards left in the shoe, the better your odds. That’s when blackjack pays out more often, the dealer is more likely to bust, and you get stronger hands.

The kicker? It only works if the deck isn’t constantly being reset. If you’re starting from zero every hand, your count means nothing.

Tried Counting in Regular Online Blackjack – Instant Fail

I started with standard online blackjack. And yeah – no chance. 

These games don’t use a real shoe or real cards. They run on something called an RNG (random number generator). Every hand is totally fresh, like shuffling a full deck before every deal.

I tracked for maybe 10 hands. Pointless. The cards don’t build up.

What About Live Dealer Blackjack?

Live blackjack looks and feels more real. There’s an actual dealer, physical cards, and a visible shoe. 

I sat down, watched a few shoes play out, and took notes. At first, it seemed like I could track the cards for a bit. I even got a +4 count after 3 or 4 rounds. My bet was ready. I was thinking, “This is it.”

But then, the dealer pulls out the reshuffle card. Boom. Full reset. Back to square one.

That reshuffle card usually shows up early. And most casinos online shuffle way before the shoe is half gone. Some even use continuous shuffle machines (CSMs), which basically mix the used cards back in constantly.

Even in live blackjack, the window is too short to build a count that matters.

My Actual Test – Here’s What Happened

I played five live tables over a few days. Just small stakes. Each time, I tried to keep a running count. Hi-Lo style. Easy method.

I had a notepad ready. The count was rising. I was adjusting bets slowly.

And every single time, before anything useful happened, the shoe was shuffled. Sometimes mid-round. Sometimes, with only 1/3 of the cards dealt.

I never got more than 3–5 hands with a useful count. Most times, I just broke even. Once, I even lost a few hands right when I increased my bet, so the “advantage” didn’t play out.

After that? I gave up trying to outsmart the shuffle.

Why Online Games Kill Card Counting (On Purpose)

Online casinos don’t want card counting. It kills their edge. So they build their games to avoid it completely:

• Standard blackjack uses RNGs. No shoe, no memory.
• Live blackjack uses auto-shufflers or reshuffle cards.
• Some tables literally reshuffle after every hand.

I checked around. Forums, blogs, and even a few casino help chats. The consensus? Don’t waste your time.

What Actually Helps in Online Blackjack

Now here’s the part where I tell you what does work:

1. Use Basic Strategy

You can lower the house edge big time just by hitting, standing, or splitting at the right moment. Print a chart or use one on-screen.

2. Pick the Right Tables

Some tables are just better. I always check for:

• The dealer stands on soft 17
• Blackjack pays 3:2 (avoid 6:5!)
• Fewer decks (if listed)
• No forced side bets

These small rules stack up. Better rules = better odds. 

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3. Flat Betting

Don’t bother chasing hands or raising bets based on gut feeling. If you’re not counting, betting more randomly does nothing. I stick to steady bets unless I spot a table where I’m clearly on a run.

How I Choose Tables Now

Here’s my super short checklist when I launch blackjack:

• Live dealer or RNG? (Live feels better, but still no edge)
• Are the rules clear? (I look for 3:2 payout and dealer stands on soft 17)
• Can I play without side bets? (I skip side bets, always)
• Are other players chatting or just betting fast? (Fast tables often mean fast reshuffles)

Counting Cards Online? Focus on What Gives Real Edge

If you’re still thinking about trying card counting online, here’s my honest advice: don’t. Online blackjack isn’t built for it. 

Skip the mental gymnastics. Instead, learn the strategy, pick good rule tables, and stay consistent.