Is counting cards illegal? Debunking the myths
IF you’ve seen slick casino dramas or heist films, you’ll know the scene: a clever player counts cards, wins big and then gets shown the door by security. That raises the obvious questions: Is card counting illegal? And can you actually get arrested for it?
The answer isn’t black and white. Card counting itself isn’t a criminal offence; it’s a skill-based strategy that sharp blackjack players use to tip the odds slightly in their favour by observing which cards have been played, remembering them and adjusting their bets. It’s more about attention and arithmetic than anything shady.
In this article, we’ll clear up the myths, explain how counting cards works in practice and map out the fine legal line players should be aware of, including what’s allowed, what casinos can do in response and the practical risks to be aware of.
What is card counting?
Card counting is a strategic method in blackjack that is designed to give you an edge over the house. The method helps you determine whether the next hand is likely to favour you or the dealer.
To do this, players keep track of the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck. It involves aiming for high cards such as tens, jacks, queens, kings and aces. When the card ratio shifts, you can adjust your bets to gain a competitive edge.
The general idea is to bet little or nothing when you don’t have the advantage and stake proportionately more when your advantage increases.
Most common card counting myths: Debunked
Several myths and misconceptions have long surrounded card counting. Casinos often promote these myths as they don’t want you to tip the odds in your favour and increase your chances of winning.
1. Counting cards is illegal
Many people believe that counting cards is a criminal act. Casinos are always happy to have players think that card counting, a simple process using your brain, is illegal.
Myth: Counting cards is an illegal act punishable by law.
Truth: Counting cards is not illegal. It is a mental skill, and using your mind at the blackjack table is legal everywhere. What is not allowed is using machines, computers or hidden devices. Casinos can still ask players who count cards to leave their premises, but they cannot sue you.
If you’ve ever wondered is counting cards illegal in UK, the answer is straightforward: it’s not. In the UK, using your memory and strategy to count cards isn’t cheating, though casinos are private businesses and can still ask you to leave if they think you’re doing it.
2. Card counters always win big
While the strategy doesn’t guarantee wins, it increases your chances of winning over time since it gives the player an advantage by indicating when the odds are in their favour.
Myth: Card counters are always walking away with vast sums of money won at the tables.
Truth: Things aren’t as straightforward as they seem with card counting. The odds being in your favour doesn’t mean you will always be on a winning streak. Instead, they give you an edge that you can use to make small gains and potentially increase your success over time.
3. It requires perfect memory
Another huge misconception with card counting is that it requires you to remember every single card.
Myth: Card counters need photographic memory to succeed.
Truth: You only need to familiarise yourself with the blackjack strategy charts. With practise, these will be drilled in your brain. You also need to remember the running count for a few seconds before it changes again, which is something that even your uncle can do. In short, you just need practise, focus and repetition rather than perfect memory.
4. Casinos can’t catch card counters
Some people believe casinos cannot spot skilled card counters. However, this is not true.
Myth: Casinos cannot do anything about card counters.
Truth: Casinos invest heavily in software monitoring and surveillance systems. They also frequently reshuffle card decks to catch card counters. This ensures that even the most experienced blackjack pros who rely on card counting must evolve their strategies as what may have worked before is not as effective this time.
How does counting cards work?
Card counting works by taking note of the proportion of high to low cards that are still in the shoe. One of the best-known systems is the Hi-Lo system.
Two through six are assigned +1, sevens through nines are assigned 0 and tens through aces are given a value of -1. The total is the running count. A positive running count means there are more high cards remaining, so players will receive more blackjacks and more dealer busts.
The strategy involves raising your bet with a positive count and lowering it with a negative count. If you are curious about trying your luck, check out some of the best online blackjack platforms where the game is available.
Differences between card counting and cheating
Card counting has frequently been confused with cheating, but they are different. Many casinos consider card counting a form of cheating, primarily because it makes the house lose money.
Here are the differences between the two:
- Cheating involves violating casino rules, whereas card counting is a mental strategy that helps players determine what the undealt decks might hold.
- Card counting is based on observation and mathematical analysis.
- Cheating uses prohibited devices or collusion.
- Casinos can expel card counters without charging them criminally.
- Cheating can lead to arrest, fines and prosecution.
- Card counting reduces the house edge through skill rather than cheating.
- In essence, card counting is legal but not approved, while cheating is illegal and punishable.
Legendary card counters
Any gambling enthusiast who knows something about the development of card counting is familiar with legendary names such as Edward O. Thorp, Al Francesco and Tommy Hyland, who contributed to its mainstream success.
Edward O. Thorp
Thorp is regarded as the father of card counting. He created mathematical systems in the 1960s that proved that blackjack could be beaten. His book Beat the Dealer was a bestseller, and it paved the way for card counting around the world.
Thorp proved to everyone that math, rather than chance, could tip the odds in favour of the players against the casinos.
The MIT blackjack team
The MIT blackjack team consisted of students from MIT, Harvard and other schools. The team, managed by Bill Kaplan, employed advanced strategies combined with card counting to achieve significant wins during the 1980s and 1990s.
Ben Mezrich wrote about the MIT blackjack team in his book Bringing Down the House, which later inspired the film 21.
Ken Uston
Ken Uston is well known as the first person to develop team play for card counting. He also fought court battles to protect the ability to use the skill of card counting.
His book Million Dollar Blackjack taught straightforward methods and inspired hundreds of thousands of players. Uston’s courtroom struggles resolved concerns about whether counting cards is against the law.
Al Francesco
Al Francesco is another legend famous for popularising team play for blackjack. He had players work together with spotters to monitor the cards, while big players entered the game when the count was in their favour.
This tactic increased profits and reduced the risks of getting caught. Francesco’s methods of card counting impacted modern team strategy, which is now employed worldwide.
Tommy Hyland
Tommy Hyland leads one of the longest-running blackjack teams in history. His team began in the 1970s and was active for decades, demonstrating that organised groups could achieve long-term success.
At one point, members of Hyland’s team were arrested and accused of cheating. However, the court ruled in their favour, citing that they were merely using an intelligent strategy.
Conclusion
So, is card counting illegal? No, it is not. Using mental skill to gain an edge in blackjack is perfectly fine. However, casinos and private businesses can remove you or ban you if they suspect you of using the technique.
The key takeaway is that, although it is not illegal, you need to be a more strategic player. With the right knowledge and extensive practise, card counting can be a highly effective strategy.
FAQ about counting cards in the UK
1. Is counting cards illegal UK?
No, card counting is a legal strategy in the UK and is not categorised as cheating under British law. However, casinos are private businesses. They can refuse service, ask players to leave or ban suspected counters. The law protects the practise, but casinos protect their profits.
2. What are the laws regarding card counting?
There are no laws meant explicitly for card counting. Using the brain to count is fine and totally legal. However, it is not permissible to use electronic devices, hidden computers or collusion. These are methods of cheating. Card counters can be excluded from casinos, but they will not be arrested or charged for simply using their mind to count cards.
3. How do casinos detect card counters?
Casinos spot card counters by observing bet patterns. A sudden bet increase when the count is favouring them is the most obvious sign. Security staff also study play history, monitor body language and take dealer feedback. Advanced surveillance and computer tracking enforcement make it difficult for even the most professional card counters to remain unnoticed.
4. Do casinos have rules against card counting?
Card counting may not be illegal, but it goes against most casino policies. Casinos can ban players suspected of using this method. Security staff are given the power to deny blacklisted card counters entry to casino floors. A suspected card counter may be asked to stop playing and leave the premises immediately.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – GambleAware.org
Read our guide on responsible gambling practices.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
