Many gamblers often wonder if counting cards is illegal? Whether casinos like it or not, technically, card counting is legal. There is no law that explicitly prohibits card counting or classifies it as a criminal offense. However, casinos set their own rules, so you need to know how to count cards in poker wisely. W88 Club experts will guide you on how to count cards in Poker below.
What technique is used to count cards in Poker?
Basic card counting involves assigning a positive, negative, or zero value to each card seen and keeping a total count. The counter converts the running count to an accurate count to account for the number of decks remaining for games using multiple decks.
For many people, counting cards is considered a fair strategy. It’s like a skilled baseball player who can predict where the ball will land based on the pitcher’s shape. Others see it as an unfair advantage that tips the balance too much in favor of the player.
Advanced counters can also use the shuffle tracking feature, which tracks the sequence of cards through the shuffle. Many players believe it should be allowed because card counting is a skill that can be mastered through practice and attention, especially in poker card game.
Today, casinos use multiple decks of cards and shuffle the cards regularly. This reduces the efficiency of counting cards. Additionally, there are so many cameras in the casino, they make it difficult to counting cards in Poker without being detected.
For example, suppose you are dealt two red aces in a game of Texas Hold’em Poker. This means that the Ace of Hearts and Ace of Diamonds cannot be dealt to other players or appear as community cards. So, before any community cards are dealt, you KNOW that the chances of any other specific card appearing (like a discarded card or the next card in the deck) are 1 in 50, not NOT 1 in 52.
There are risks when being caught counting cards in Poker
Card counting is especially true in “door card” games like Seven Card Stud, where a great deal of information can be gathered and used to one’s advantage.
Although law enforcement cannot arrest you for card counting in a casino, you may be charged with other card counting-related crimes, such as:
Use electronic equipment to count cards
It is not illegal to have an intellectual advantage. But if your advantage is using mechanical or electrical equipment, you’ll be crossing the line at cheating and may be caught.
Cheating
You can also be caught if you cheat by manipulating the physics of the card game. For example, changing decks or exchanging cards with other players is considered cheating.
Most casinos have extremely tight security because customers who count cards or cheat in the game will cost the casino money. If you are caught by casino security counting cards, you may be asked to leave the table or to leave the casino. Because the casino is private property, the staff can call the police and arrest you for trespassing if you do not leave.
Disorderly behaviour
If you are asked to leave the casino and you refuse or cause a ruckus, you may be arrested for disorderly conduct. Rather than react rudely, the best thing you can do when asked to leave is to comply.
If you are caught counting cards and casino staff or security guards detain you or order you to leave, stay calm and don’t do anything rash.
Conclusion
The surveillance technology that casinos use today makes card counting more difficult without being detected. Automatic card shuffling machines in casinos also ensure that cards are shuffled more frequently, disrupting card counting.
W88 Club experts advise players to practice shuffling and counting cards in Poker with friends to improve their skills.
Related: Poker Bankroll Management: The best way to manage BRM
