Counting the Cards – Cheating or Skill?

Counting the cards in Blackjack or Texas Hold’em has always been considered cheating. But is it really or are we brain washed by the casinos to think so. Basically if you read the cards isn’t that a very skilled player? It takes quite a quick witted master mind to have such a talent.

There are no tools used or some crazy system that cheats the cards shuffled or cards drawn.

Do you think card counters should be banned from casinos or are they given a bad rap because they are good at what they do?

Lips

I think they are amazing. There's no way I could count cards and keep up. If I could, I don't believe that makes me a cheater. It's a bad rap because they have a gift.

I don't think any casino says counting cards is cheating; it's just a practice they don't like and will ban you for, rather like bonus abuse at on online casino.

If casinos allowed card counting, they would likely be broke within a month.  I think they are very clever to be able to do that and it is definitely a skill.

blue

Using your brain is not cheating, it definitely is a skill. But I don't think that casinos would go bust within a month like Blue says, because might not be too many people who have such skills.

Check out this story HERE.

$1.5 million in one day at one table.

blue

it definitely has potential to rake in some dough....providing you don't get caught too quickly lol. It requires some fine math and memory skills (one reason the casino uses MULTIPLE decks.
Counting cards isn't inherently cheating, like say, using an electronic device. You couldn't be charged nor forced to return your wins. You will be however politely (and forcibly) asked to collect your winnings, escorted from the building, banned and have your image shared among their networks with other casinos.

It's a skill, definitely but since casinos have the power, they won't allow to lose money, no one likes that.

It is skill for sure and not everybody can read cards especially when you have to be that quick to do it and all the distractions around you. I agree card readers can make a fortune at the tables and put the casinos in the red for the night at the blackjack tables.

But there is no clear cut rules at casinos for big winners, card readers or not. What i don't think is fair is if a gambler does have a winning streak on any games the casino can escort you out at anytime but if you are on a massive losing streak they give service with a smile.

Lips

Can't remember the movie, true story, about the guys from MIT who got in big trouble for counting cards.

Heck, if someone is smart enough to count cards at a full table...more power to them. 

Casinos will do anything to keep the edge on their side.  Calling it cheating is silly.

Just remembered..the movie and book.

Bringing down the house.....good read!

i dont know either way.It is a skill but would it be cheating to use it if i was the casino and didnt want to lose a huge sum,then i would have to say yes.

Didn't they count cards in Rounders too? I loved that movie simply for Edward Norton.  <3

In Rounders, it was more cheating and addiction gambling.
In 21, they counted card as well

          The only way  to cheat at blackjack that I can imagine would be if you had X-Ray friggin' vision or could read the dealer's mind when he deals the cards.  Dealers are expected to do something like 60-100 hands per hour or something like that  so you don't have a lot of time to figure out the statistical probability etc...  I mean you would have to be really quick to do that.  I think it is a skill,  cheating, no but of course as most  have pointed out, it is the casinos right to put the kabash on that activity.    Most successful gamblers that I have read about just win a little at a time (within reason)  and don't try to go for early retirement in one night.  Definitely a good way to draw attention.    Never been that crazy about cards I  always prefer  craps and slots.