If card counting in blackjack is just keeping track of high cards vs low, does that mean if I could remember all the different cards used (i.e. how many 5s, how many 7s) I would be really good at blackjack?

Question

This would break online casinos because you could easily do that with electronics. Assuming the casino itself is playing fair.

If you could perfectly keep track of how many of which cards are left in the decks, and everytime make the most mathematically sound bet, would the house still have an edge?

(I assume the correct answer will start off saying I don’t understand how card counting works – fair enough, but what about the basic explanation of it did I misinterpret?)

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

Yes… with the provision that you would also have to convert that knowledge to a strategy.

One of the benefits of the card counting systems like Hi-Lo is that you keep track of a manageable amount of data (a ratio, not every card) and it has a strat attached to it (if the count is X, bet Y multiple. If count is X, deviate from basic strategy by doing Z).