March 28, 2010, 10:44 pm

Is Card Counting Cheating at Blackjack?

Is card counting cheating? If you ask casino operators, they will immediately say yes, card counting is a form of cheating the casino. But if you ask blackjack players, they will tell you that card counting is just a good strategy that helps players increase their chances of winning.

Blackjack players know how to use information if it is available, and that is what they do in card counting. Card counting for players is a helpful way to make an intelligent decision.

Card counting helps players know how they can play their hands and the proper amount of money they can bet based on what they have in their hand.

Of course, casino operators do not like the sound of that, helping players increase their chances of winning. So if you are a good card counter don't get caught or else you will be banned from the casino you are playing.

Cheating in every sense of the word is prohibited by law. If you get caught cheating you are punishable by law. Of course, there are ways to cheat at blackjack but it is not recommended that you cheat.

This article serves as an education tool and not a guide to cheat. All information is for entertainment and education purposes only.

The following are different tactics of cheating, again, this is not recommended, and this is based on the players that are caught by casino operators.

1. Marking Cards

This is the oldest form of cheating in blackjack. Players put markings on the cards so that they will know the exact cards that the dealer is holding.

Markings are done by players with long fingernails that are sharp enough to mark the card by scratching it on a certain spot.

If you are caught doing this act, you will be in big trouble, a kind of trouble that you do not want to get involved in.

2. Switching Cards

A classic kind of cheating, you probably have seen this in movies. A cheater who has a very sharp and fast movement tries switching his card to the ones inside his sleeve.

Big trouble if you get caught doing this.

3. Dealer Cheats

Hypothetically speaking, dealers could receive bribes from players to fix a blackjack game. This is such a big offense, if you are caught doing this along with the dealer, the dealer will get fired and you will face a problem punishable by law.

At the end of the day, we should always remember that a cheater never wins. There will always be a way that eventually you will get caught in wrong doing. If you do not want to end your casino life do not cheat.

However, card counting is still up for debate...